Association of Professional Piercers
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL PIERCERS IS TO CIRCULATE VITAL HEALTH, SAFETY, AND EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE PROFESSIONAL PIERCING INDUSTRY.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $819,253
- Employees
- 2
- Highest pay
- $40,780, treasurer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $564,986 spent. WE HAD OVER 1,000 PARTICIPANTS AT OUR ANNUAL IN-PERSON CONFERENCE. OUR ONLINE EDUCATION SEMINAR HAD OVER 80 PROFESSIONAL REGULATORS AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS. WE GAVE AWAY MORE THAN 260 FREE SCHOLARSHIPS. WE CONTINUED ROLLING OUT OUR MATERIAL SAFETY COMPONENT WITH THE BODY JEWELRY VERIFICATION PROGRAM. WE SENT INSTRUCTORS TO MORE THAN A DOZEN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY SEMINARS. WE ADVISE VARIOUS HEALTH AND SAFETY INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS ASTM, ISO, NEHA, ETC.
- THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES AN ONLINE PROCEDURAL MANUAL FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY WITHIN THE STUDIO, A WIDE VARIETY OF BROCHURES AND EDUCATIONAL POSTERS TO INDUSTRY MEMBERS, HEALTH INSPECTORS/BOARDS OF HEALTH, LEGISLATORS, THE PRESS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THEY ALSO DISSEMINATE GENERAL PIERCING INFORMATION THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE "WWW.SAFEPIERCING.ORG". INFORMATION IS ALSO PROVIDED THROUGH TELEPHONE, EMAIL, RECORDED PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND LETTERS IN RESPONSE TO THESE SAME POPULATIONS.
- THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE (WWW.SAFEPIERCING.ORG) PROVIDES A VARIETY OF INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ON THE INDUSTRY. INCLUDING A REFERRAL SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL PIERCERS, AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS, A PIERCEE'S BILL OF RIGHTS, SPECIFIC HEALTH GUIDELINES FOR THE PIERCEE, AND TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION FOR PHYSICIANS. THE WEBSITE MAKES AVAILABLE TO PIERCERS WORLDWIDE ITS MATERIALS AND ITS PUBLICATIONS FREE OF CHARGE VIA DOWNLOAD.
- THE ORGANIZATION HAS AN ONLINE PUBLICATION "THE POINT", A PROFESSIONAL JOURNAL CONTAINING ARTICLES ON HEALTH, SAFETY, AND EDUCATIONAL ISSUES. THIS PUBLICATION IS FREE TO MEMBERS AND AVAILABLE BY SUBSCRIPTION TO PIERCERS, HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL AND LEGISLATORS, ETC.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2000.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Professional Golfers Association of America (Frisco, TX), EIN 59-0785835. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.