Acupuncture, Cosmetic Piercing, Electrolysis, Semi Permanent Skin Colouring and Tattooing

A summary of the regulation relating to this registration (Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982) (External Link)

Apply online for registration to carry out acupuncture, tattooing, piercing and / or electrolysis (External Link)

Downloadable application form for registration to carry out acupuncture, tattooing, piercing and / or electrolysis (.pdf, 220kb)

Frequently Asked Questions (.pdf, 174kb)

The legislation does not require us to keep a public register.  If you would like to know if a premises or person is registered to carry out any of the above treatment please contact the Licensing Section.

There is an application fee which must be paid at the time an application is made.  There is a seperate fee for the premises and the person.  Full details are available on our fees and charges page.

Receipt of your completed application form and the appropriate fee(s) will be confirmed in writing, and an Officer from the Business Compliance Section will arrange a visit to check compliance with the byelaw requirements as well as ensuring that general health and safety requirements are being met. There is no statutory period for determining applications however we aim to determine applications within 21 working days.

The registration when issued will remain in force until either the business ceases to exist or the registration is cancelled.

No. It is in the public interest that we must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the Licensing Section within a reasonable period, please contact it. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service (External Link) or use the contact details below.

The practice of the above treatments are controlled through compliance with byelaws, therefore once a certificate of registration has been issued you must then comply with the appropriate byelaws.

• Acupuncture (.pdf, 166kb)
• Cosmetic Piercing (.pdf, 168kb)
• Ear Piercing (.pdf, 166kb)
• Electrolysis (.pdf, 166kb)
• Semi Permanent Skin Colouring (.pdf, 168kb)
• Tattooing (.pdf, 166kb)

Any change of circumstances in relation to an existing registration must be notified to the relevant local authority. This includes the surrendering of a registration, a request to transfer a premises registration or any other material change to the registration or how you operate.

There is a £10.50 fee due in respect of any change that requires a new registration to be issued.

Notify us of a change of circumstances (External Link)

Please contact the Licensing Section in the first instance.

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct (External Link) will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre (External Link) .

British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC) (External Link)

British Association of Skin Camouflage (External Link)

British Institute and Association of Electrolysis (External Link)

Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists (External Link)