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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>372950</law_id><section_number>59.1-310.5</section_number><catch_line>Operational requirements</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="127" identifier="59.1">Trade and Commerce</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="54" identifier="24.1">Tanning Facilities</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A <span class="dictionary">tanning facility</span> shall have an operator present during operating hours. The operator shall be sufficiently knowledgeable in the correct operation of the <span class="dictionary">tanning devices</span> used at the facility and shall inform and assist each customer in the proper use of the <span class="dictionary">tanning device</span>. <a id="paragraph-1391061" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-310.5/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">owner</span> or his designee shall identify the skin type of the customer based on the <span class="dictionary">Fitzpatrick scale</span>, document the skin type of the customer, and advise the customer of the customer&#x2019;s maximum time of recommended exposure in the <span class="dictionary">tanning device</span>. <a id="paragraph-1391062" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-310.5/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Before each use of a <span class="dictionary">tanning device</span>, the operator shall provide the customer with properly sanitized protective eyewear that protects the eyes from ultraviolet radiation and allows adequate vision to maintain balance. The operator shall not allow a <span class="dictionary">person</span> to use a <span class="dictionary">tanning device</span> if that <span class="dictionary">person</span> has not been provided protective eyewear. The operator shall also instruct each customer how to use suitable physical aids, such as handrails and markings on the floor, to maintain proper exposure distance as recommended by the manufacturer of the <span class="dictionary">tanning device</span>. <a id="paragraph-1391063" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-310.5/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> After each use of a <span class="dictionary">tanning device</span>, the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> or his designee shall clean the device with a cleaner or sanitizer capable of killing bacteria from any previous use. <a id="paragraph-1391064" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-310.5/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> The <span class="dictionary">tanning facility</span> shall use a timer with an accuracy of at least plus or minus ten percent of any selected time interval. The facility shall limit the exposure time of a customer on a <span class="dictionary">tanning device</span> to the maximum exposure time recommended by the manufacturer. The facility shall control the interior temperature of a <span class="dictionary">tanning device</span> so that it may not exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. <a id="paragraph-1391065" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-310.5/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> Either each time a customer uses a <span class="dictionary">tanning facility</span> or each time a <span class="dictionary">person</span> executes or renews a <span class="dictionary">contract</span> to use a <span class="dictionary">tanning facility</span>, the <span class="dictionary">person</span> shall sign a written statement acknowledging that the <span class="dictionary">person</span> has read and understood the required warnings before using the device and agrees to use the protective eyewear that the <span class="dictionary">tanning facility</span> provides. <a id="paragraph-1391066" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-310.5/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> No individual under the age of 18 shall be allowed to use any <span class="dictionary">tanning device</span>, other than a spray <span class="dictionary">tanning device</span> that does not emit ultraviolet light, at a <span class="dictionary">tanning facility</span>. The <span class="dictionary">owner</span> shall be responsible for ensuring that each customer using the <span class="dictionary">tanning facility</span> is of legal age to do so. <a id="paragraph-1391067" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-310.5/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="H"><p><span class="prefix-number">H.</span> A <span class="dictionary">tanning facility</span> shall not claim, or distribute promotional <span class="dictionary">material</span> that claims that the use of a <span class="dictionary">tanning device</span> is safe, is without risk, or will result in medical or health benefits. <a id="paragraph-1391068" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-310.5/#H"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="I"><p><span class="prefix-number">I.</span> The provisions of subsection G shall not prohibit any <span class="dictionary">person</span> licensed by the Board of Medicine to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine from prescribing or using a <span class="dictionary">phototherapy device</span> for any patient, regardless of age. For the purposes of this section, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">phototherapy device</span>&#x201D; means a device that emits ultraviolet radiation and is used in the diagnosis or treatment of disease or injury. <a id="paragraph-1391069" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/59.1-310.5/#I"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1990, c. 776; 2007, c. 575; 2020, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
