Skin piercing registration

Introduction

Acupuncture, cosmetic piercing, electrolysis, semi-permanent skin pigmentation and tattooing are all forms of skin piercing which are regulated by local authorities.

A person carrying out piercing and the premises they use must be separately registered with the Council. There is an exemption from registration for anyone who is or is supervised by a registered medical practitioner or dentist.

All registered people and premises must comply with local byelaws for safety and hygiene.

Registration fees

• The fee to apply to register as a person is £32.
• The fee to apply to register a premises is £29.

Apply  for a licence

To apply for this licence please read our guidance and complete the application form.

If you are already registered, you will need to inform us if you’ve changed address:

Local Byelaws

There are currently different sets of byelaws which were adopted by five of the former district councils in Somerset. The byelaws that must be followed depend on where the person and the premises they used are based.

It is an offence for a person registered for a type of skin piercing to breach local byelaws.

Byelaws in the Mendip area

• Mendip District Council Acupuncture Byelaws (PDF 89.86KB)
• Mendip District Council Tattooing Byelaws (PDF 95.0KB)
• Mendip District Council Cosmetic (Body) Piercing Byelaws (PDF 70.8KB)
• Mendip District Council Ear Piercing and Electrolysis Byelaw (PDF 72.62KB)
• Mendip District Council Semi Permanent Skin Colouring Bylaws (PDF 71.31KB)

Byelaws in the Sedgemoor area

• Sedgemoor District Council Skin Piercing Bylaws

Byelaws in the South Somerset area

• Acupuncture (PDF 41.6KB)
• Cosmetic piercing (PDF 40.6KB)
• Electrolysis (PDF 42.8KB)
• Tattooing (PDF 41.6KB)
• Semi-permanent skin colouring (PDF 41.7KB)

Byelaws in the Taunton Deane area

• Taunton Deane – Acupuncture byelaws (PDF, 159KB)
• Taunton Deane – Ear piercing and electrolysis byelaws (PDF, 146KB)
• Taunton Deane – Tattooing byelaws (PDF, 160KB)

Byelaws in the West Somerset area

• West Somerset byelaws – Acupuncture byelaws (PDF, 153KB)
• West Somerset byelaws – Ear piercing and electrolysis byelaws (PDF, 158KB)
• West Somerset byelaws – Tattooing byelaws (PDF, 160KB)

Best practice guidance

• CIEH Tattooing and body piercing guidance toolkit (cieh.org.uk)
• Micro-pigmentation – Guidance for Practitioners (PDF 956.95KB)
• COSHH Essentials SR12 Electrolysis, piercing, tattooing and micro-pigmentation (PDF 135.25KB)

Law regarding piercing and tattooing children

The Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 makes it an offence to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 years.

There is no minimum age for most cosmetic piercings. In England, the piercing of male or female genital organs, including female breasts, carried out on a child under the age of 18 years is illegal. It is regarded as a sexual offence, because children cannot give consent to such activities. These issues are enforced by the Police.

Where piercing is not prohibited by the above legislation it is in any case recommended that parental consent be obtained in writing in the case of persons under the age of 18 years. Proof of age should be sought if there is any uncertainty.

It is recommended that clients be encouraged to bring a friend for moral support and to prevent misunderstandings or allegations of impropriety, especially in the case of genital piercings.