For purposes of these rules, the following words and phrases have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

"Antiseptic" means an agent that destroys disease-causing microorganisms on human skin or mucosa.

"Aseptic technique" means a procedure that prevents contamination of any object or person.

"Bloodborne pathogens" means microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

"Branding" means inducing a pattern of scar tissue by application of a heated material (usually metal) to the skin creating a serious burn which eventually results in a scar.

"Cleaning area" means an area, physically separated from all work stations or waiting areas, where contaminated tools or equipment are sanitized and disinfected.

"Department" means the department of licensing.

"Disinfect" or "disinfection" means the destruction of disease-causing microorganisms on inanimate objects or surfaces, thereby rendering these objects safe for use or handling.

"Disinfectant" means a substance or solution, registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that kills or inactivates viruses and pathogenic microorganisms, but not necessarily their spores.

"Event license" is a temporary location license to hold a body art, body piercing, or tattooing convention or event in the state of Washington. Event license holders must meet the same requirements for a location license as defined under RCW 18.300.010.

"FDA" means United States Food and Drug Administration.

"Gloves" mean single-use disposable medical grade gloves that are FDA approved.

"Hand sanitizer" means an alcohol-based sanitizer with a concentration of sixty percent to ninety-five percent ethanol or isopropanol.

"Jewelry" means any personal ornament inserted into a newly pierced area, which must be made of surgical implant-grade stainless steel, solid 14k or 18k white or yellow gold, niobium, titanium, or platinum, or a dense, low-porosity plastic, which is free of nicks, scratches, or irregular surfaces and has been properly sterilized prior to use.

"Licensee" means a shop, business or individual licensed to practice body art, body piercing, or tattooing.

"Mobile unit" is a location license under this chapter where the practice of body art, body piercing, or tattooing is conducted in a mobile structure. Mobile units must conform to the health and safety standards as defined under chapter 18.300 RCW.

"Mucous membranes" line various body cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs. They are at several places continuous with skin at the: Nostrils, lips, ears, genital area, and anus. The sticky, thick fluid secreted by the mucous membranes and glands is termed mucus. The term mucous membrane refers to where they are found in the body and not every mucous membrane secretes mucus.

"Permanent cosmetics" includes the application of permanent eyeliner, eyebrows, lip liner, full lip color, and repigmentation using tattooing techniques of placing pigment under the skin. It is a form of tattooing.

"Procedure" means a body art, body piercing, and tattooing procedure.

"Procedure area" means any surface of an inanimate object that contacts the client's skin during a procedure and all surfaces where instruments and supplies are placed during a procedure.

"Sanitize" means a procedure that reduces the level of microbial contamination so that the item or surface is considered safe.

"Scarification" means altering skin texture by cutting the skin and controlling the body's healing process in order to produce wounds, which result in permanently raised wheals or bumps known as keloids.

"Sharps" means any objects (sterile or contaminated) that may purposefully or accidentally cut or penetrate the skin or mucous membrane including, but not limited to, presterilized, single-use needles, scalpel blades, and razor blades.

"Sharps container" means a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container that can be closed for handling, storage, transportation, and disposal and that is labeled with the international biohazard symbol.

"Single use" means products, instruments or items that are intended for one-time use and are disposed of after each use including, but not limited to, cotton swabs or balls, tissue or paper products, paper or plastic cups, gauze and sanitary coverings, razors, needles, scalpel blades, stencils, ink cups, and protective gloves.

"Sterilization" means a process that destroys all forms of microbial life, including highly resistant bacterial spores.

"Sterilizer" means an apparatus that is registered and listed with the FDA for destroying all forms of microbial life, including highly resistant bacterial spores.

"Universal precautions" is an approach to infection control as defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). According to the concept of universal precautions, all human blood and certain body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and other bloodborne pathogens.

"Work stations" means the area or room used for the purpose of performing body art, body piercing, or tattooing procedures.