Ear Piercing, Acupuncture, Electrolysis and Tattooing

Information on acquiring a registration for skin-piercing and tattooing
Registration summary

To offer skin-piercing treatments - including tattooing, acupuncture, ear and body piercing - both the person performing the treatment and the premises must be registered with the local authority. In some areas you may need a licence from the local authority.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications must include any information required by the local authority.

Regulation Summary

A summary of the regulation relating to this registration

Application Evaluation Process

No provision in legislation

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact it. You can do this by using the contact details below.

Failed Application Redress

Please contact your local authority in the first instance.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact your local authority in the first instance.

Consumer Complaint

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

Other Redress

E.g. about noise, pollution, etc. Also should one licence holder complain about another.

Trade Associations

British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC)

British Association of Skin Camouflage

British Institute and Association of Electrolysis

Guild of Professional Beauty Therapists

To apply, you can download the  Application Forms [pdf] 108KB and e-mail it to Environmental Health or post it to the following address. Payments must be made using a payment card by phoning 01268 882200.

Castle Point Borough Council,
Kiln Road, Thundersley,
Benfleet, Essex, SS7 1TF

To view a copy of the Body Piercing Guidelines Tattoo and Body Piercing Guidance [pdf] 3MB

Register of Businesses Undertaking Tattooing, Semi-permanent Skin Colouring, Cosmetic Piercing and Electrolysis [pdf] 116KB