Tyngsborough Board of Health adopts updated body‑art rules, continues detailed review of bodywork licensing

The Tyngsborough Board of Health voted on July 13 to adopt revisions to the town’s body‑art regulations, and then spent substantial time refining a companion draft that would govern bodywork practices (massage, reflexology, microblading and related services).

Body‑art regulations: The adopted changes clarify that establishments using single‑use, pre‑sterilized supplies may not be required to install an autoclave, outline acceptable alternatives for instrument sterilization, and update language on janitorial sink requirements and mop‑water disposal. The motion to approve the body‑art regulation changes passed on a recorded roll call.

Bodywork regulations (working session): The board then conducted an extended line‑by‑line review of proposed bodywork licensing rules. Key discussion points included how to distinguish “bodywork” from regulated massage therapy, acceptable certifications and the director’s authority to approve credentials, two forms of positive identification for applicants (passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, Social Security documentation), criminal background checks including international checks, whether the applicant or establishment should pay for background checks, minimum education/certification versus case‑by‑case credentialing, CPR and TB testing requirements, and rules for services to minors (parental/guardian consent and parent on‑site were discussed as options). Board members asked the town’s counsel to review specific language for legal compliance and suggested a path forward that would allow provisional approvals while finalizing the text.

The board did not finalize the bodywork regulation that night; staff will incorporate the suggested edits and return the draft for legal review and a future vote.