Tattooists, piercing and electrolysis registration

Licence summary

If you offer tattooing, semi-permanent skin colouring, cosmetic piercing, or electrolysis you must be registered with your local district council.

Eligibility criteria

You must provide specific information including details of your premises and any previous convictions for practicing without a licence in this field.

A fee maybe charged.

Regulation summary

Application evaluation process

No provision in legislation

Apply online (via gov.uk)

Application for a licence to carry out acupuncture, tattooing, piercing and/or electrolysis (external website)

Application to change a tattooists, piercing and electrolysis licence (external website)

Failed application redress

Please contact us in the first instance.

Licence holder redress 

Please contact us in the first instance.

Customer 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).