Tattooing, Body Piercing, Ear Piercing, Acupuncture and Electrolysis
Tattooing, body piercing, ear piercing, acupuncture and electrolysis treatment are all regulated by law. Any premises where these treatments are carried out and any persons carrying out the treatments are registered with The Office for the Committee for Health & Social Care. Lists of registered persons and premises are available in the downloads section of this web page.
It is a criminal offence to carry out tattooing or body piercing on anyone under the age of 18.
Body piercing includes any piercing which is not in the ear lobe. This means that you must be over 18 to have your nose, belly button, lip, upper ear or other areas pierced.
If you wish to make a complaint relating to someone carrying out these activities or the place where they are working from, please contact the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation.
Application forms
- To apply to register to be an operator who provides these treatments you should complete the application form
- To apply to register a premises as a location where treatment takes place you should complete the application form
- If you have any difficulty in completing the on-line forms paper copies are available by contacting the office.
Fees
- Applicants must pay a prescribed fee when making an application for registration. Fees are subject to regulation and are currently £100 to apply for a premises and £55 per person, with a subsequent annual renewal of £35 per person. Please see the application forms section above.
- The law exempts any registered medical practitioners and dentists who carry out skin treatments on their premises in the normal course of treatment.
- If you need any further advice regarding any aspect of skin piercing treatments please contact the Office of Environmental Health and Pollution Regulation.
Premises where Tattooing, Piercing etc. are carried out
- Premises must be clean and safe, any equipment used must either be single use of appropriately cleaned or sterilised, measures are in place to avoid the passing on of infection, proper information and advice is given to people having any treatment and proper records are kept.
