Skin piercing and tattooing

Image of a tattoo artist at workThe Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 places controls on skin piercing activities including cosmetic piercing, electrolysis, tattooing and acupuncture. It requires both the person offering these treatments, and the premises in which they are being carried out to be registered with the council.

Unlike annual licences that need to be renewed each year, these registrations only need to be granted once. However, should there be a change of personnel carrying out these activities, then they will also need to be registered.

If it is your intention to carry out any skin piercing activities in other local authority areas e.g. on a mobile basis, then you may need to be registered in each local authority (council) area that you are likely to operate in.

Currently body piercing is not affected by this legislation, yet it is subject to the general requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974, and associated legislation.

Making an application

Please ensure that the correct fee (PDF File, 75kb) accompanies the application. This is dependant on both the person(s) administering the treatments and premises where the treatments are carried out.

Therefore for one person offering any of the skin piercing activities described above the fee will be premises plus person. For every additional person it will be extra. There is no extra charge if more than one treatment is offered/ However, if a registration has been granted and an additional treatment is required, then this would be considered as a fresh application and the appropriate fees would need to be paid.

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