Registration of Acupuncture, Ear Piercing, Electrolysis, Tattooing, Semi-Permanent Skin Colouring

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 requires the practice of Acupuncture, Electrolysis, Ear Piercing, and Tattooing to be registered with the Local Authority.

The Local Government Act 2003 has also given powers to local authorities to register operators who carry out Cosmetic Skin Piercing (including ear-piercing) or Semi-Permanent Skin Colouring.

There are no powers to refuse registration, but the practice is controlled through the compliance of bylaws.

The Act requires registration to cover both the person carrying out the practice and the premises used for that purpose.

The applicant must ensure that 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 acupuncture, electrolysis , cosmetic piercing, tattooing, or semi-permanent colouring unless registration has been formally approved.

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

Fees payable: £187.00 for registration of new premises and £126.50 for EACH practitioner.

Bye-laws Requirements

Premises:

• All surfaces in any part of the premises used by clients must be kept clean and in good repair
• All furniture and fittings in the treatment area must be kept clean and in good repair
• Tables, couches, seats etc used in the treatment area must have a smooth, impervious surface which is regularly wiped down with disinfectant and covered by a disposable paper sheet, changed after each client
• A “No Smoking” sign must be prominently displayed. 
• Cleanliness of operatives
• Any overall worn by the operative should be clean and in good repair
• The operative’s hands and nails must be kept clean
• Any open cut, wound, sore or boil must be suitably covered by an impermeable dressing
• The operative should not smoke nor drink in the treatment area
• The operative should have sole use of the washing facilities which must provide hot and cold running water, soap (or similar cleanser) and a nail brush

General:

• It is an offence to tattoo any person under the age of 18 years (The Tattooing of Minors Act 1969) regardless of parental consent
• A person under the age of 18 years may receive body piercing provided that you have received written permission from, or the treatment is performed in the presence of, the person’s parent or guardian
• Nipple and genital piercing is prohibited on minors, regardless of parental consent
• The health of the client and the suitability of the treatment should be discussed prior to its administration

Please note: You have 10 minutes to complete each page. If you feel you need longer than this, please write your answers in a separate document, then copy and paste this into the form. This is to prevent any information being lost during the form completion.