Apply for a tattoo, piercing and electrolysis licence
If you carry out any form of cosmetic piercing or tattooing, you must be registered with the Council where you operate. This is required under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
The activity of cosmetic piercing or tattooing includes:
- tattooing
- permanent and semi-permanent make-up
- cosmetic piercing
- electrolysis
- acupuncture
- any other invasion of the skin, for example, microblading and scarification
Both the person undertaking the activity and the premises need to be licensed. If you have a mobile treatment room you need to apply to the authority where the mobile treatment room is located overnight.
Carrying out piercing activities and tattooing is not permitted in unlicensed premises. Practitioners cannot currently be licensed to carry out treatments in client's own homes.
These regulations exist to ensure that you meet the relevant health and safety standards and minimise the risk of infection.
How to apply
Before you consider registering with us, you should read and understand the tattooing and body piercing guidance toolkit published by Public Health England.
To register as either a practitioner and/or a premises, complete the online form below. You only need to register once.
Apply for a tattoo, piercing and electrolysis licence
Although registration for business premises will be processed, the premises will be inspected by a member of the Licensing team to ensure they are suitable for the activities requested.
Please note: Where you are using a domestic premises for any of these activities, an inspection is required before registration is granted.
How to pay
Pay to register for Skin Piercing online
Current fees
- Licence type
- Acupuncture personal licence
- Annual fee
- £84.00
- Licence type
- Acupuncture premises and one practitioner
- Annual fee
- £358.40
- Licence type
- Electrolysis personal licence
- Annual fee
- £84.00
- Licence type
- Electrolysis premises and one practitioner
- Annual fee
- £358.40
- Licence type
- Microblading personal licence
- Annual fee
- £84.00
- Licence type
- Microblading premises licence and one practitioner
- Annual fee
- £358.40
- Licence type
- Piercing personal licence
- Annual fee
- £84.00
- Licence type
- Piercing premises and one practitioner
- Annual fee
- £358.40
- Licence type
- Semi-permanent make-up personal licence
- Annual fee
- £84.00
- Licence type
- Semi-permanent make-up premises licence and one practitioner
- Annual fee
- £358.40
- Licence type
- Tattooing personal licence
- Annual fee
- £218.30
Further information
If you require more information about skin piercing licences, see Contact the Licensing Team webpage.