Tattooists, Piercing, Acupuncture and Electrolysis Registration

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 requires that the following types of skin piercing activities need to be registered with the Council.

• Acupuncture
• Tattooing
• Ear Piercing
• Electrolysis

The Act requires registration of both the person (or the body corporate) carrying on the business or the practice, and the premises used for those purposes. There is no power of refusal of registration, but the activity is controlled through compliance with byelaws and health and safety law in each case.

The applicant must ensure that the 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.

All registered persons must comply with the relevant byelaws, a copy of which are available to download as follows:

• Acupuncture byelaws (PDF Document, 0.1 Mb)
• Ear piercing and electrolysis byelaws (PDF Document, 0.1 Mb)
• Tatooing byelaws (PDF Document, 0.1 Mb)

It is an offence to conduct Acupuncture, Tattooing, Ear Piercing and Electrolysis unless the registration has been formally approved.

A registration application form can be downloaded from the link below or by contacting us.

The application must be accompanied by a fee, which is currently £88.00. Cheques should be made payable to Charnwood Borough Council.

Skin Piercing Application Form (Tattooing, Ear Piercing, Electrolysis and Acupuncture) (PDF Document, 2.47 Mb)

You may also find the following documents useful when setting up your business and you should use them to ensure that you are fully aware of your responsibilities as a skin piercer.  Body piercing is not covered by registration in the Borough of Charnwood but we would advise any body piercers to use the guidance we provide and be aware that all businesses still have legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to people not in their employment.

Tattooing Advice and Safe Practice (PDF Document, 7.43 Mb)

Body Piercing Advice and Safe Practice (PDF Document, 6.44 Mb)