General information - skin piercing

Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, you must register if you carry out certain skin-piercing treatments. Both the practitioner and the premises must be registered.

Treatments that require registration

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

When you apply, an Environmental Health Officer will inspect your premises to make sure you meet the byelaws. Registrations will only be granted where:

  • a valid application has been received;
  • the applicant has the right to work; and
  • the premises are appropriately registered.

After you apply, an Environmental Health Officer will inspect your premises to make sure you meet the byelaws.

Premises and practitioners must comply with the byelaws at all times. 

Premises: additional practitioners and activities

  • To offer a new activity, you must submit a new application
  • A premises must be registered for each activity before it can be carried out.  
  • We will inspect the premises before any new activity can begin

Surrendering or moving a premises registration

If a premises no longer carries out skin-piercing activities, the registration must be surrendered in writing. Email is acceptable.

Updating practitioners' or proprietors' details

An administration fee applies. 

You can complete the skin piercing change of details form to let us know about any changes, except for new activities. 

You must tell us in writing if there are any changes to your practitioners, including adding or removing staff.

You must also notify us in writing of any changes to a practitioner's or proprietor's details. 

Information for skin piercing practitioners

Anyone carrying out the following treatments must be registered with North Norfolk District Council:

  • tattooing
  • cosmetic piercing, including ear piercing
  • semi-permanent skin colouring
  • acupuncture
  • electrolysis

Practioner responsibilities

Registered practitioners must:

  • hold a valid registration before carrying out any registrable treatment
  • comply at all times with the skin piercing byelaws relating to hygiene, cleanliness and infection control
  • notify the Council in writing of any changes to their personal details
  • provide evidence of relevant qualifications and training which is appropriate to the treatments they carry out
  • maintain appropriate public liability insurance
  • demonstrate their right to work in the UK where required as part of the application process

The premises must also be registered

It is not enough for the individual practitioner to be registered. The premises where the treatments take place must also be registered for the relevant activity.

You must work from a registered premises

Registered practitioners should carry out treatments from a registered premises. If they move premises, they cannot continue operating until they are working from premises registered for that activity.

Timescales and fees

  • We aim to determine applications within 28 days of receiving a complete and acceptable application.
  • All fees are non-refundable.
  • Before applying, please check with the premises proprietor that your licensable activity is included in that premises registration.

Applications

For applications on skin piercing, visit our skin piercing licensing page.

Visit our skin piercing licensing page

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