Registration for Cosmetic Piercing, Tattooing and Electrolysis

The following types of skin piercing need to be registered with the council's Environmental Health service:

• acupuncture

• tattooing

• cosmetic piercing

• electrolysis

• semi permanent skin colouring

Both the person carrying out the procedure and the premises must be registered and you must comply with the council's byelaws. Find out more in this section.

The applicant must ensure that the procedures, equipment and facilities used are safe, hygienic, prevent the spread of disease and comply fully with the general duty of care required by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

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

Registration is governed by the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Part VIII (amended by the Local Government Act 2003).

How to Apply

To become registered you must complete an application form, pay a fee and pass an inspection. You can download the application form and our fees and charges below.

Once an application has been made and the fee paid we will inspect your premises. If the inspector considers the applicant's procedures and the premises to be suitable, then registration will be approved.

We will check compliance with byelaw requirements as well as ensuring that general health and safety requirements are being met. The inspector will offer any advice or give any help if you are unsure as to how to meet these obligations.