Skin Registration - Tattooists, Ear-Piercing, Electrolysis and Acupuncture

    The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Part VIII requires that the following types of skin piercing need be registered with the Council.

    • Acupuncture
    • Tattooing
    • Ear-piercing
    • Electrolysis

    To offer skin-piercing treatments - including tattooing, acupuncture, ear and body piercing - both the person performing the treatment and the premises must be registered with the local authority. In some areas you may need a licence from the local authority.


    Eligibility Criteria

    Applications must include any information required by the local authority.

    The Act requires registration to cover both the person carrying on the practice and the premises used for that purpose. There are no powers to refuse registration, but the practice is controlled through compliance with byelaws in each case.

    The applicant must ensure that the procedures, equipment and facilities used are safe, hygienic, prevent the spread of disease and comply fully with the general duty of care required by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

    It is illegal to conduct ear piercing, tattooing, acupuncture or electrolysis unless the registration has been formally approved.


    Bye-laws requirements

    Premises

    • All surfaces in any part of the premises used by clients must be kept clean and in good repair
    • All furniture and fittings in the treatment area must be kept clean and in good repair
    • Tables, couches, seats etc used in the treatment area must have a smooth, impervious surface which is regularly wiped down with disinfectant and covered by a disposable paper sheet, changed after each client.
    • A 'No Smoking' sign must be prominently displayed.

    Cleanliness of Operatives

    • Any overall worn by the operative should be clean and in good repair
    • The operative's hands and nails must be kept clean
    • Any open cut, wound, sore or boil must be suitably covered by an impermeable dressing
    • The operative should not smoke nor drink in the treatment area
    • The operative should have sole use of the washing facilities which must provide hot and cold running water, soap (or a similar cleanser) and a nail brush

    Equipment

    • Any needle, metal instrument or other item of equipment used in the treatment must be in a sterile condition and kept sterile until it is used
    • If pre-sterilised items are not used then adequate facilities must be provided for the purpose of sterilisation.
    • If tattooing is being undertaken, then all dyes used must be bacteriologically clean and inert. The containers used to hold dyes for each customer must be disposed of at the end of each treatment or sterilised before re-use.

    General


    Application Evaluation Process

    Once an application has been made and the required fee has been paid, an inspector will undertake an inspection of the premises. If the inspector considers the applicant's procedures and the premises to be suitable, then registration will be approved.

    Fees

    Procedure Fee Type Fee
    Tattooist Registration Fee

    £187

      Each Person

    £187

    Ear Piercing Registration Fee

    £92.50

      Each Person

    £56

    Electrolysis Registration Fee

    £92.50

      Each Person

    £92.50

    Acupuncture Registration Fee

    £187

      Each Person

    £187

    The Inspector will also check compliance with the bye-law requirements above as well as ensuring that general health and safety requirements are being met. The inspector will be pleased to offer any advice or give any help if you are unsure as to how to meet these obligations.


    Will Tacit Consent Apply?

    No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact them.


    Apply online

    Apply for a licence


    Trade Associations

    British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC)

    British Association of Skin Camouflage

    British Institute and Association of Electrolysis

    Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists

     

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