Environmental Health Licences

Licence Summary

If you offer acupuncture, tattooing, semi-permanent skin colouring, cosmetic piercing, or electrolysis each practitioner must be registered with the local district council.

If you work from premises, they must also be registered. Once registered, you will be issued with a certificate of registration for displaying at the premises.

Eligibility Criteria

You must provide specific information including details of your premises and any previous convictions for practising without a licence in this field. 

An application fee is payable at the time of registration for the premises. If at a later date you apply to register different persons on the existing registration then an application fee is required at that time.

Regulation Summary

A summary of the regulation relating to this licence

Application Evaluation Process

No provision in legislation. There are no powers to refuse registration, but the practice is controlled through compliance with byelaws in each case. We check that premises and equipment are suitable, and that good hygiene is followed and sensible after-care instructions are given so as to minimise the health risks to customers.

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

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 it. You can do this online if you applied through the GOV.UK service or use the contact details below.

Apply online

Apply for a licence to pierce skin

Tell us about a change to your existing licence to pierce skin

Apply by Post

Tattoo/Piercing/Acupuncture/Electrolysis Licence  

Failed Application Redress

Please contact your Local District Council in the first instance.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact your Local District Council in the first instance.

If a registration is suspended or cancelled the registration holder may appeal to the county court.

Consumer Complaint

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). From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.