Skin piercing licence

The following types of skin piercing need to be legally registered with the Council:

  • Acupuncture
  • Tattooing
  • Cosmetic piercing
  • Electrolysis
  • Semi-permanent skin colouring

Your responsibilities

To legally operate, you must register both yourself and your business premises. Registration can't be denied, but your practice is strictly controlled by adhering to local byelaws. 

You are responsible for making sure your equipment, facilities, and procedures are safe, hygienic, and prevent disease transmission. This is part of your legal obligation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Procedures for under-18s

The Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 makes it a crime to apply a permanent tattoo to anyone under 18. There is no equivalent minimum age set by law for cosmetic piercing or skin colouring.

Apply for registration 

To apply online for registration, follow these steps:

  1. Pay your registration fee online
  2. Make note of your payment reference number
  3. Apply for a licence

We will acknowledge receipt of your application within 14 days. If you don't hear from us, contact the team using the details at the bottom of the page.

If you can't apply online, send a completed application form and cheque for the appropriate fee to:

Regulatory Services, Trafford Council, Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 0TH.

Fees

Skin piercing licence costs
Premises registration
(including registration of practitioners at the time of application)		 Fee
Tattooing & semi-permanent skin colouring £312
Cosmetic piercing £312
Acupuncture £312
Electrolysis £312
For each additional practitioner registered at a later date £108

Inspection

Once you've paid and made an application, an inspector may visit the premises. This is to check compliance with byelaw requirements and ensure general health and safety requirements are met.

Training

There are no official national training courses for UK body piercers, although several commercially run courses are available.

Practitioners should be required to demonstrate continuing competence in their work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also recommends that any piercing course include basic first aid and infection control.

Guidance

Complaints and contact us

If you have a complaint about a procedure or product, we recommend first contacting the service provider. If the complaint is not resolved, you can get help through Citizens Advice or by contacting the Council.

You can also contact us if:

  • There is a nuisance caused by the operation of a skin piercing business
  • You are a licence holder wishing to complain about another licence holder

Email environmental.health@trafford.gov.uk. Alternatively, send a letter to:

Environmental Health Team, Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford, Manchester, M32 0TH.