Tattoo and Piercing


Register your business

You need to register with us if you carry out:

  • acupuncture
  • cosmetic piercing and/or ear piercing
  • electrolysis
  • semi-permanent skin colouring
  • microblading
  • tattooing

This is to ensure businesses carrying out these practices meet with essential byelaws relating to hygiene and health and safety standards. If you would like to request a copy of these you can email us.

How do I apply?

For your registration we will need:

  • your contact details
  • details about your business
  • payment details

We will also ask if you have been convicted of an offence under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.

Cost

There's a fee of £338 per application. For an additional treatment there is a fee of £61. If you choose to register for an additional treatment at a later date you will need to pay the full £338 again.

Register

What happens next?

You are able to carry out treatments as soon as you’ve submitted your application. One of our Environmental Health officers will contact you to arrange an inspection of your premises.

The application and fee are a one-off. You will only need to apply again if you change premises, register an additional treatment or you have a new artist.

Guidance

We have produced guidance for businesses to maintain high standards of practice, and promote safety and consistency across the industry.

We also have a Code of Practice for hygienic skin piercing that businesses are required to follow. If you would like to request a copy please email us.

Registering your event

You need to register your event if it will include:

  • acupuncture
  • cosmetic piercing
  • electrolysis
  • semi-permanent skin colouring
  • tattooing

Registration applies in the same way to guest artists. Those attending trade fairs or similar events will be determined on a case by case basis.

Cost

There's a fee of £205 and for each artist an additional £27.

For your registration we will need:

  • your contact details
  • details about the event
  • payment details

Register

What happens next

Details of your event will be passed to our Environmental Health team.