Skin piercing
Contents
- Skin piercing
- Skin piercing local bylaws
Skin piercing
Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 you must register your business premises and each person you want to carry out the following types of skin piercing:
- acupuncture
- tattooing
- semi-permanent skin colouring
- cosmetic piercing
- electrolysis
For costs, view our licensing fees and charges. The cost of registration is subject to annual review.
It is illegal to conduct any of the above activities until we have approved the registration of your business premises and the named practitioners on your application.
Once registered with us your business can only carry out activities at the address you have registered and procedures may only be carried out by the practitioners listed on your registration. Registration, unless cancelled by order of the court, will usually last until such time as you may you notify us you no longer need it.
You will not need to make a new registration if you need to change your practitioners but you must apply to add and/or remove practitioners on your existing registration.
You cannot apply to add a new category of activity to an existing registration. If you are unsure if a new procedure you wish to undertake is permissible under your existing registration please make enquiry to [email protected] before making any application. Procedures that are not covered by your existing registration will require you to re-register in full.
Should you wish to carry out procedures at a premises other than that stated on your registration, you will need a new registration for that premises and include any practitioners you wish to carry out procedures there.
All premises granted a registration will be listed on our licensing register.
A person under the age of 18 years may receive body piercing provided that you have received written permission from, or the treatment is performed in the presence of, the person's parent or guardian.
Nipple and genital piercing is prohibited on minors, regardless of parental consent.
It is an offence to tattoo any person under the age of 18 years (the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969) regardless of parental consent.
You need to reapply If your circumstances change, this includes:
- moving your business
- another person running a business from your premises
- offering additional services which need registration
Apply
You can apply for a new premises registration or to add or remove persons on a current registration.
You must provide details about yourself and your premises and demonstrate you follow our local byelaws relating to:
- staff hygiene
- safety and cleanliness of your premises
- furniture and equipment
In each case, your premises and equipment will be inspected to ensure:
- they are suitable
- that good practice hygiene is followed
- sensible after-care instructions are given
Next steps
If approved, you will get a certificate of registration. You must display a copy of your certificate and any byelaws in a prominent place on your premises.
Grant of a registration doesn’t mean that we’ve given planning permission. Consent under town and country planning law may still be required and you should check your planning permissions.
If you are unhappy with an officers’ decision please contact us in the first instance as we may be able to provide more information.
- email: [email protected]
If a registration is suspended or cancelled the registration holder may appeal to the county court.
Last updated 28 February 2025