You must register any business that carries out skin-piercing activities.
This includes:
- acupuncture
- piercing, including:
- cosmetic piercing
- body piercing
- ear piercing
- electrolysis
- semipermanent skin colouring, including:
- cosmetic tattooing
- dermapigmentation
- make-up
- microblading
- micropigmentation
- temporary tattooing
- tattooing
When you have registered, we will issue you a certificate of registration.
You must register any apprentices that work with you, and if you work from business premises you must also register that.
We recommend that your read our skin-piercing guidance [PDF, 0.2MB] and the skin-piercing byelaws [PDF, 0.2MB] before you register.
Register
You can register to carry out skin-piercing activities on our licensing portal, for both people and premises.
You must provide specific information, including details of your premises. You must also declare any previous convictions for practising without a licence in this field.
You can also use the portal to request a replacement licence or update your name or address.
You need an account to use the portal – you must register if you do not have one. Read our licensing portal guidance to learn how to use the portal, and contact us if you have any problems using it.
Tacit approval does not apply – contact us if you have not heard from us within 40 days.
Fees
- Premises registration: £175
- Personal (practitioner) registration: £63.50
On 1 April 2026, the prices will change to:
- Premises registration: £181
- Personal (practitioner) registration: £65.50
Inspection
We will inspect tattooists every year. We will inspect practitioners offering cosmetic piercing, acupuncture and electrolysis on a risk-based schedule.
During the inspection, we will look at:
- cleanliness and washing facilities
- record keeping
- storage and sterilisation of equipment and facilities
- suitability of fixtures and fittings
- any other relevant health and safety issues
