Skin piercing licence

There are no powers to refuse registration, but the practice is controlled through compliance with bye-laws in each case.

The CIEH has produced a tattoo toolkit that provides advice and guidance on safe and hygienic tattooing and body piercing.

Byelaw requirements

Applicants must comply with the local by-laws made under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. You can download a copy of the requirements.

In summary: (please read the guidelines in full prior to applying)

Premises

• All surfaces in any part of the premises used by clients must be kept clean and in good repair.
• All floors/walls/ceiling in the treatment area must be smooth, impervious materials which are easy to clean and disinfect (no carpets).
• 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 that is regularly wiped down with disinfectant and covered by a disposable paper sheet, changed after each client.
• The treatment area requires a sink with hot and cold running water for handwashing and a separate sink for cleaning equipment.
• A 'No Smoking' and 'No Eating' sign must be prominently displayed.

Cleanliness of operatives

• Any protective clothing 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 a similar cleanser).

Equipment

• Any needle, metal instrument or other item of equipment used in the treatment must be in a sterile condition, and kept sterile until it is used.
• If pre-sterilised items are not used then adequate facilities must be provided for the purpose of sterilisation.
• If tattooing is being undertaken, then all dyes used must be bacteriologically clean and inert. The containers used to hold dyes for each customer must be disposed of at the end of each treatment or sterilised before re-use.

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 are 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.