Acupuncture, tattooing, semi-permanent skin colouring, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis

The regulation of premises or persons involved in ear piercing, tattooing, acupuncture and electrolysis and to ensure a safe and hygienic operation.

Regulation summary

Visit the Legislation website to view the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982

Application evaluation process 

What information or evidence will I need to provide?

Any information required to progress your application will be requested by the application form and will include:

• details of the premises
• details of operators
• any previous registrations with other local authorities.

However, dependent on the findings of the inspection by us or other authorised person such as nurse or medical practitioner, further information or clarification may be requested prior to granting a licence or registration.

Upon receipt of the completed application, fee, and necessary documentation, an officer will visit the premises to ensure compliance with the conditions specified in the byelaws and health and safety legislation. Once the officer is satisfied, a certificate of registration will be issued. This certificate should be displayed prominently on the premises where the activities take place.

Please note: as well as complying with the byelaws, businesses also have a duty to meet the relevant requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the associated regulations, visit the Legislation website to view the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Exemptions

Registration is not required when skin piercing is carried out by, or under the supervision of, a person who is registered as a medical practitioner (or, in the case of acupuncture only, a dentist).

The injection of Botox and cosmetic filler implants are not classed as skin-piercing activities under the 1982 Act.

Please note: Botox is a prescription only medicine and can only be administered to a defined patient by a doctor, or by a nurse under the supervision of a doctor.

Hair removal by the use of Class 3B and 4 lasers and/or intense pulsed light sources require registration with the Care Quality Commission.

Advice to the Public

If you're unsure if an operator offering skin piercing and other specials treatments is registered, you can request to see their registration certificate which should be on display, or contact the Council to see if they are included on their register.

What are the conditions of the registration?

Registration depends on compliance with Telford & Wrekin Council's local byelaws for the regulation of acupuncture, tattooing, ear piercing and electrolysis. Conditions require, amongst other things:

• cleanliness of the premises
• sterility of equipment such as needles etc.
• hygiene of the piercer.

How much does it cost?

Please view our table of costs. 

What information or evidence will I need to provide?

Any information required to progress your application will be requested by the relevant application form itself and include details of the premises, detail of operators, any previous registrations with other local authorities. However, dependent on the findings of the inspection by us or other authorised person such as nurse or medical practitioner, further information or clarification may be requested prior to granting a licence or registration.

Are there/inspections or assessments?

An officer will inspect the premises to establish if the requisite standards are being met.

Redress

View our complaints policy and procedure to complain about a refusal to register an operator or premises

Public registers or databases

Contact the Health Protection team using the contact details at the bottom of this page to find out who is registered for acupuncture, piercing, tattooing and electrolysis

Trade associations

• Visit the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC) website.
• Visit the UK Tattoo Studios website.
• Visit the British Institute and Association of Electrolysis (BIAE) website.
• Visit the Tattoo and Piercing Industry Union (TPIU) website.

Last updated : 3 January 2025

There are a number of hazards associated with skin piercing activities, including bacterial infection and the transmission of blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B/C and HIV, therefore any person carrying on the activities of:

• acupuncture
• electrolysis
• semi-permanent makeup/microblading 
• tattooing or cosmetic piercing

within the area of Telford & Wrekin Council is required to register with the Council.

Registration is required for the persons carrying out these skin piercing activities and the premises where the activity is to take place.

Fees for personal and premise licenses apply, please view our table of costs. 

If the person conducts any skin piercing activities at other premises, they will need to register themselves at that premises also and pay the required fee.

If the operator wishes to extend their service outside the Telford & Wrekin Council area, they should notify the other authority for advice on registration arrangements.

Last updated : 10 September 2024

What we will do with your personal information

Telford & Wrekin Council Public Protection are collecting your personal data to enable public protection as required by statutory function under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, Local Government Act 2003, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and regulations made thereunder.

Telford & Wrekin Council will not share any of your personal data collected with external organisations unless required to do so by law. However, there may be occasions where we request further information from key third party organisations including, but not limited to Public Health England, Health and Safety Executive or other similar regulators.

View information about the Council’s Privacy Policy 

Visit the GOV.UK website to apply for acupuncture, tattooing, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis licence

Visit the GOV.UK website to change an Acupuncture, tattooing, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis licence

Last updated : 4 December 2024

Last updated : 27 May 2025