The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Part VIII requires that the following types of skin piercing activity must be registered with the council:
- Acupuncture
- Tattooing
- Ear-piercing
- Electrolysis
To offer these treatments, both the person performing the treatment and the premises must be registered. These practices are controlled through compliance with local byelaws. A copy of the byelaws will be sent to applicants upon registration. Please get in touch using the contact details below if you would like to request a copy in advance.
Applicants must ensure that procedures, equipment and facilities used are safe, hygienic, prevent the spread of disease and comply fully with the general duty of care required under the Health and Safety at Work Act etc Act 1974.
It is illegal to carry out any ear piercing, tattooing, acupuncture or electrolysis unless registration has been formally approved.
A summary of the relevant legislation can be found here.
There’s also a useful tattooing and body piercing toolkit from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
Registration form - tattooing, acupuncture, body piercing
Application process and fees
Once an application has been received and the fee paid, a council inspector will visit the premises, and if the procedures and premises are deemed to be suitable, registration will be approved.
As part of the inspection, they will check compliance with the byelaws, risk assessment and general health and safety compliance. The inspector will be able to offer advice and guidance.
Applications must be granted before the activities can be carried out.
Contact us
If you have any queries about an application, including around the decision made, please contact the licensing team on 01827 709709, or email [email protected].