Apprentice Resources

Most of the education you get to become a piercer will happen during your apprenticeship proper. However, there are a few things you can do before your apprenticeship to get the ball rolling and look like a better candidate. 

• BloodBourne Pathogens Training through the APP: learn the fundamentals of working safely with blood and bodily fluids as is relevant for this industry. 

• CPR, First Aid, and AED Training: These required skills are essential to being able to safely work on people.

• Narcan Training: Understand how to safely identify and respond to an opioid overdose

Historical and Cultural Resources

Body Piercing has a long history as a part of various cultures, traditions, and religious practices around the world. In modern times the piercing industry is rooted in LGBTQIA culture and community. To truly learn about piercing, you must understand its history and where it comes from. The following list contains educational media and resources to learn about the history of piercing and how it became what it is today.

• Body Modification Media List

• Sacred Debris

• Body Piercing Archive

Resources

The following resources are designed to help those interested in getting into the industry learn how to do so correctly, and safely. Apprentices often have more rights than they realize, and there is a method to getting quality training in this industry. 

• So You Want to be a Piercer

• Apprenticeships and Abuse

• A Letter to New and Aspiring Apprentices

• APP Suggested Apprenticeship Guidelines

• Do Apprentices Legally Need to be Paid?

• Staying Safe as an Apprentice

• Apprenticeships and Abuse: How You Get Trapped

• Evolved Curriculum

• Jef Saunders Letter to Apprentices 

• The Current State of Apprenticeships

• Why Piercing Courses are a Scam

Advanced Education

Are you able to afford to take some in-person or online courses to get ahead in this industry? The following are educational resources that can make a huge difference in your apprenticeship experience. Note: Some apprenticeships include these as part of your education, and will want you to wait to do these till you are at a specific point in your education. 

• Gemological Institute of America Applied Jewelry Professional Degree: This degree is a must for anyone working with genuine stones, and is incredibly relevant in piercing studios. Someone with their AJP is and advanced candidate for an apprenticeship with their foundation of gemstones and jewelry. 

• The Fakir Intensives: Started in 1991 by Fakir Musafar the fakir intensives brings amazing body piercers from across the country together to educate hands-on. The intensives teach safe, sophisticated, and spiritual body piercing.  These classes are not a replacement for an apprenticeship, but rather a supplement to one. At the time of publishing this the fakir intensives are the only quality in-person piercing training course I feel is worth going to.