Skin Piercing: Acupuncture, tattooing, ear-piercing, electrolysis
Information for businesses wishing to undertake skin piercing
If you want to set a business undertaking skin piercing, including ear piercing, electrolysis, acupuncture and tattooing, the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Part VIII require you to register with the local authority both the premises and persons undertaking the piercing. It is a legal requirement for registration to be formally approved before you begin.
You must ensure that the procedures, equipment and facilities used are safe and hygienic, and that measures are in place to prevent the spread of disease. These standards are set out in local byelaws (see the links at the foot of this page for information). A premises must also be compliant with health and safety law.
Once an application has been made and a fee has been paid (refer to the Fees and Charges until 31 March 2018), we will inspect the premises. If we consider that the applicant's procedures and the premises to be suitable, then registration will be approved.
For a new premises you will need to register the premises and the person separately. If the premises is already in operation, and you are a new member of staff, you will need to apply for personal registration only.
- Apply online using the application forms here - select the drop down menu titled 'Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (skin piercing)' and then either 'premises registration' or 'personal registration', or:
- print off and complete
premises registration [51kb] and personal registration [64kb] application forms.
Byelaws:
