Tattoo and piercing registration: cost and how to apply
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 and council guidance on the date above
If you carry out tattooing, cosmetic piercing, acupuncture or electrolysis, both you and your premises must be separately registered with your local council under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
It's illegal to offer any of these treatments before your registration is formally approved, and each council sets and charges its own fee.
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Get it done for you →This guide covers who needs to register, the difference between practitioner and premises registration, what it typically costs, and how to apply through your local council.
This is general information, not legal or public-health advice. For anything specific to your practice or premises, contact your local council's environmental health or licensing team directly.
What is tattoo and piercing registration?
It's the local authority registration scheme that covers "special treatments" involving skin piercing, set out in Part VIII of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
Section 15 of the Act covers tattooing, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis, and requires that "a person shall not... carry on the business of... tattooing... unless he is registered by the local authority," with a parallel requirement under section 14 for acupuncture (checked 23 August 2026).
Crucially, this covers two separate registrations: you, the practitioner, and the premises where you work - if you move premises or a new practitioner joins, that needs registering too, not just an update to an existing record.
Who needs to register?
| Treatment | Registration needed |
|---|---|
| Tattooing | Practitioner and premises |
| Cosmetic/body piercing (including ear piercing) | Practitioner and premises |
| Electrolysis | Practitioner and premises |
| Acupuncture | Practitioner and premises, unless carried out by a registered medical practitioner or dentist |
Source: Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, Part VIII, checked 23 August 2026. Medical practitioners and dentists are exempt from the acupuncture registration requirement, but not automatically exempt from the others.
Not every council has adopted this scheme in exactly the same way, and mobile practitioners who visit clients' homes are generally still expected to register a base of operations - check your specific council's approach before you start trading.
What does tattoo and piercing registration cost?
There's no national fee - each council sets and publishes its own, and it typically covers both the practitioner and the premises together for a first application.
We've quoted Leeds' £286 combined fee as one live example, checked 23 August 2026 - your own council's fee may be different. Contact your council's licensing or environmental health team for its current published fee.
✓ Checked against a live council fee listing, 23 August 2026
Be cautious of any third-party site quoting one fixed UK-wide price for tattoo or piercing registration - because the fee is genuinely set locally, a single national figure is a sign the source hasn't checked current guidance.
How to register, step by step
- Confirm your council has adopted the registration scheme for your treatment type - most have, but check to be sure.
- Complete the practitioner application, providing your details for the council's approval.
- Complete the premises application separately, for the specific address where you'll work.
- Meet hygiene and infection-control standards - councils commonly set byelaws on premises cleanliness, equipment sterilisation and personal hygiene.
- Pay the council's fee, checking the exact current amount with that council directly.
- Wait for formal approval before carrying out any treatments - trading before registration is approved is an offence.
Does registration expire, and do you need to renew?
Registration under this scheme is generally ongoing rather than time-limited, but you must tell your council about any change - a new practitioner, a change of premises, or a change of ownership - rather than assuming an existing registration automatically covers the change.
Because the exact renewal or update process varies by council, confirm with your own local authority whether any periodic renewal or re-inspection applies in your area.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register both myself and my premises separately?
Yes - the 1982 Act requires the practitioner and the premises to be registered separately, so a first application typically covers both together, but any change to either needs updating.
How much does tattoo or piercing registration cost?
There's no national fee - each council sets its own, so check the current published fee with the specific council you're applying to; Leeds' combined practitioner-and-premises fee was £286 when checked on 23 August 2026, as one live example.
Is ear piercing covered by this registration scheme?
Yes - cosmetic and body piercing, including ear piercing, falls under the same registration requirement as tattooing.
Do medical professionals need to register for acupuncture?
No - registered medical practitioners and dentists are exempt from the acupuncture registration requirement under the 1982 Act, though this exemption doesn't automatically extend to tattooing or piercing.
What happens if I trade without registering?
It's an offence to carry on tattooing, piercing, electrolysis or acupuncture without registration where your council has adopted the scheme, and breaching hygiene byelaws once registered can lead to a fine and possible suspension or cancellation of your registration.
Do I need to re-register if I move premises?
Yes - premises registration is tied to a specific address, so moving to new premises means registering the new location before you start working there.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to GOV.UK, any local council or any government body. This page is general information, not legal or public-health advice - for anything specific to your practice or premises, contact your local council's environmental health or licensing team directly.