Acupuncture, tattooing, piercing and electrolysis licence

Information about acupuncture, tattooing, piercing and electrolysis licences and how to apply. 

Registration requirements 

Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 any person who carries out the practice of acupuncture or the business of tattooing, ear piercing or electrolysis must register with the local authority. In Bristol this includes micro blading, micro needling, micro pigmentation and other similar procedures that introduce ink, pigment or colour into a client's skin. It also includes dry needling and ear or nose piercing. 

If the person doing the treatment is a dentist registered under the General Dental Council, a medical practitioner registered under the General Medical Council or is working under their supervision exemptions may apply. Chiropractors, physiotherapists and similar professionals are not exempt and still need register for skin piercing if wanting to carry out acupuncture or dry needling.

The premises where the skin piercing practice or business operates must also be registered. Before applying for registration, the applicant must make sure they have the correct planning permission for the premises. For example, an applicant who plans to have a skin piercing business at home will need to contact the Planning Development department.

Costs 

The current cost of registration is:

• Premises and one person: £221.76
• Person only, or for each additional person: £101.28
• Premises only: £137.28
• Temporary registration for premises: £84.48 for a short event
• Temporary registration for person only: £63.36 for a short event. For bulk registration at large events please refer to the section below. 

Temporary registration of a premises and a person is for short events, for visiting operators, or guest skin piercer from outside Bristol.

Refunds are only given in exceptional circumstances so check all details and registration requirements before applying including the relevant information on our website. All refunds granted are subject to £50 charge deducted from the amount being refunded.

Check carefully if the premise where you want to operate from is in the Bristol boundary before applying. Addresses outside the Bristol boundary may have “Bristol” in the postal address but may be in a neighbouring local authority.

Inquiries can be made via email to: Health.Safety@Bristol.gov.uk

Temporary bulk registration for organisers of large events 

The Council offers a temporary bulk registration process for organisers of large events over 50 operators or artists. 

Operators (artists) wanting to operate at these large events need to contact the Organiser directly.

The fees for this bulk registration are:

• temporary Premises: £84.48 for a short event
• operators/persons: £15 per person for bulk temporary registration
  • if the premises is not registered, the first payment is £284.48 
  • if the premises is registered, the first payment is £200
  • the remaining balance for operator registration is due at least 1 month before the event. An invoice will be sent for this

Event organisers should email Health.Safety@Bristol.gov.uk to get the application form, discuss the event with an officer, and arrange payment for the initial fees.

No refunds are given in respect of the bulk registration.

Keeping your registration up to date

There is no fee to: 

• change the premises name 
• change the location of operation (if already registered in Bristol) 
• change an operator or artists name 

When a business is moving to a new address or premises, a new premises registration application must be made, and the appropriate fee paid.

If an existing Bristol registered business premise or operator (artist) wants to expand the scope of skin piercing done a new application is needed along with the relevant fees.

Once the application is made an officer will be in contact with the applicant. Further detailed information will be needed regarding infection controls and health and safety as part of the application process. Under the legislation local authorities are permitted to gather relevant information in the process of assessing the registration application.

To make changes, email Health.Safety@Bristol.gov.uk and include your phone number, date of birth and home address. 

Regulation summary

A summary of the regulation relating to this licence Go to http://www.opsi.gov.uk/RevisedStatutes/Acts/ukpga/1982/cukpga_19820030_en_1 (opens new window)

Will tacit consent apply?

No. It is in the public interest that the Council must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the Council within a reasonable period, please contact us. The application period is 31 days.

Apply online

Premises and operator applications can be submitted online. See the guidance attached in the related documents section for further information.

Organisers of large events over 50 operators need to contact us by email on Health.Safety@Bristol.gov.uk to arrange to discuss the application.

To apply online:

• go to Apply for a licence to pierce skin Go to http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/piplink?agency_id=558&service_id=16100010001 (opens new window) (gov.uk website)
• download the application form

If you can't open the application form, download Adobe Reader. You'll need to do this from a computer rather than a mobile phone.

Apply by post

The preference is to apply online and pay online. If you need to apply by post please download the application form given below and return the completed forms with your cheque (payable to Bristol City Council) to:

Postal Address:
Bristol City Council
Health and Safety (City Hall)
P.O Box 3399
Bristol
BS1 9NE

It should be noted that no cash can be accepted.

pdf Skin piercing application form (108 KB)

Consumer complaint

We advise that in the event of a civil complaint the first contact where appropriate is made with the trader by you. This is preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, the Citizens Advice consumer service will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

For problems with the application process contact us in the first instance. Email Health.safety@bristol.gov.uk or phone customer service on 0117 922 2500.