Tattooists, piercing and electrolysis registration

If you offer tattooing, semi-permanent skin colouring, cosmetic piercing, or electrolysis, both the persons undertaking the activity and the premises concerned must be registered with the local council. Once registered, you will be issued with a certificate of registration.

Which treatments are covered

Skin piercing treatments include:

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

If you run a business involving any of these treatments, you must register with us.

Skin piercing guidelines

The council has Byelaws (PDF, 91KB) on the standards that must be in place at a premises. Any premises registered will need to comply with the Council Byelaws for piercing establishments.

There is also a good practice guide on piercing from the Institute of Environmental Health that can provide useful information for particular types of piercing.

Registering

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 the target completion period of 28 days, please contact us. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service.

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). If that has not worked Citizens Advice may give you advice.