Skin piercing registration
The Legislation.gov - Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 requires the following types of skin piercing to be registered with the Council.
- Acupuncture
- Tattooing
- Cosmetic piercing
- Semi-permanent skin colouring
- Electrolysis
The Act requires registration to cover both the person performing the treatment and the premises must be registered with the Council.
The applicant must ensure that the procedures, equipment and facilities used are safe, hygienic, prevent the spread of disease and comply fully with the general duty of care required by the Legislation.gov - Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
It is illegal to conduct ear piercing, tattooing, acupuncture or electrolysis unless the registration has been formally approved.
How to register for a tattooing or skin piercing business
You must register your premises and each member of staff who carries out treatments. The fee to register is £200 and you can pay this and complete your registration form below.
Complete the skin piercing registration form
Please note: the fee is reviewed on an annual basis.
What happens next?
Once we receive your online form and payment, you will be issued with a certificate of registration.
Premises that are registered must comply with the relevant Preston Byelaws created under the Act.
These relate to the cleanliness and hygiene of operators and premises that undertake skin piercing activities.
Preston Byelaws
- Byelaws for tattooing (PDF) [53KB]
- Byelaws for acupuncture (PDF) [52KB]
- Byelaws for piercing and electrolysis (PDF) [54KB]
Consent to tattooing and piercing
The Environmental Health Department is not responsible for any issues relating to under age tattooing or piercing.
We will investigate matters relating to safety, hygiene and infection control but all complaints should be directed to the Police.
Premises registered in Preston for skin piercing activities
We provide a list of the premises registered for skin piercing in Preston.
View premises registered for skin piercing in Preston
The Council make routine hygiene and cleanliness checks to ensure all registered businesses demonstrate, sufficient knowledge and suitable procedures to prevent the spread of infections and disease.
Report a problem with a skin piercing premises
If you know of any unregistered tattooists operating in Preston or have concerns about the cleanliness, hygiene or infection control of a tattooists, please report this immediately, through our online form.
Report a problem with a skin piercing premises
Advice and safe practices
The table below provide PDF documents on advice and safe practices covered under the Legislation.gov - Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
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