Acupuncture, skin piercing, electrolysis, and tattooing
The law requires a business carrying out acupuncture, cosmetic piercing (including ear piercing), tattooing (including semi-permanent skin colouring), or electrolysis to register their premises and their practitioners with the council.
The business must comply with the council’s byelaws, specifically the business of Acupuncture, Electrolysis, Tattooing, Cosmetic Piercing and Semi-permanent Skin Colouring 2006. This ensures good hygiene standards are maintained.
Who needs to register
The law requires both of these to be registered with us:
- Premises used for acupuncture, cosmetic piercing (including ear piercing), tattooing (including semi-permanent skin colouring) or electrolysis
- Practitioners carrying out acupuncture, cosmetic piercing (including ear piercing), tattooing (including semi-permanent skin colouring) or electrolysis
Mobile practitioners should register using their home address. Planning permission may be required to operate a business from home. Before applying for registration, check with our Planning Enforcement team.
Exceptions
If you are a registered medical practitioner or if you operate under the direct supervision of a registered medical practitioner, then you do not need to register.
Fees
The fee to register:
- A premises is £176
- As a practitioner is £100
Reduced fees for ear piercing
There are reduced fees for a business which only carries out ear piercing. The fee to register:
- A premises which is only used for ear piercing is £100
- As a practitioner who only carries out ear piercing is £58
Fees are for registration
These fees are paid on registration only - you do not need to renew. Please use the form below if you wish to confirm the fee you need to pay.
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself at least five minutes to fill in the form.
Please note our Guidance on uploading an image.
If you or the premises concerned are already registered with Southampton City Council, but there has been a change for example a self-employed practitioner has moved to new premises, you will not need to pay an additional fee for this.
Apply for a licence
Application for a licence to carry out acupuncture, tattooing, piercing and/or electrolysis.
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself a couple of minutes to fill in the form.
Although this online form can be completed on a mobile phone, due to the length of this form we recommend you use a desktop, laptop or tablet.
Please note our Guidance on uploading an image.
You will need:
A payment card, Apple Pay or Google Pay*
If you would like to make a change to an existing licence, you can complete this online form
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself a couple of minutes to fill in the form.
Although this online form can be completed on a mobile phone, due to the length of this form we recommend you use a desktop, laptop or tablet.
Please note our Guidance on uploading an image.
What happens next
We will process your application and send you a registration certificate and receipt for your payment within 15 working days.
Inspectors are likely to make a site visit to new premises and speak to new practitioners to check hygiene standards and practices. This will be carried out before the registration certificate is released.
If we are unable to send these within this timescale, we will contact you to explain the reason for the delay.
Remember that tacit consent will not apply
It is in the public interest that Southampton City Council must process your application before it can be granted.
If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us. You can do this online if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below.
Redress
If you are not satisfied with the process for registering people who practice acupuncture or who run a business offering tattooing, semi-permanent skin colouring, electrolysis or cosmetic piercing including ear piercing, please contact:
Consumer Protection and Environmental Services
Southampton City Council
Civic Centre
Southampton SO14 7LY
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself at least five minutes to fill in the form.
Please note our Guidance on uploading an image.
