Tattoo, piercing, acupuncture and electrolysis

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 provides that all types of skin piercing activities are registered with the Council. These include:

• acupuncture
• cosmetic piercing
• electrolysis
• tattooing (permanent)
• ​semi-permanent skin colouring

The Act requires registration to cover both the person carrying on the practice and the premises to be used for that purpose.

It is illegal to conduct any of the above activities unless the registration has been formally approved.

You will need to ensure that your procedures, equipment and facilities are:

• safe
• hygienic
• prevent the spread of disease
• comply fully with the duty of care required by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

To apply or amend your personal / premises registration, please contact healthandsafety@wakefield.gov.uk for an application form.

PLEASE NOTE: Our fees for 2025 / 26 financial year have been reviewed. These new fees will be in place from 1 April 2025. There will be a requirement for each premises to have its own registration, in addition to the registration of each practitioner. The new fee for a Premises Registration will be £200 and the amended Personal Registration fee will be £175. Other fees and amendments have been introduced, and the full list of fees will be added to the website soon.

Considering your application

The Council has no powers to refuse a registration. However the practice is controlled through compliance with the tattooing and acupuncture model bye-laws​.

Once registered, you will be subject to inspection from our Environmental Health Service.

Duration of the Licence

Once registered, your licence will be valid indefinitely.

Consumer Complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you. This should preferably be in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked the Citizens Advice Bureau website will give you advice.