Licences for acupuncture, tattooing, ear-piercing and electrolysis

The following types of skin piercing need be registered with the local authority:

• acupuncture
• tattooing
• ear-piercing
• electrolysis

The following have to be met to be eligible:

Premises

• all surfaces in any part of the premises used by clients must be kept clean and in good repair
• all furniture and fittings in the treatment area must be kept clean and in good repair
• tables, couches, seats etc used in the treatment area must have a smooth , impervious surface which is regularly wiped down with disinfectant and covered by a disposable paper sheet, changed after each client
• a 'No Smoking' sign must be prominently displayed.
  

Cleanliness of operatives

• any overall worn by the operative should be clean and in good repair
• the operative's hands and nails must be kept clean
• any open cut, wound, sore or boil must be suitably covered by an impermeable dressing
• the operative should not smoke nor drink in the treatment area
• the operative should have sole use of the washing facilities which must provide hot and cold running water, soap (or a similar cleanser) and a nail brush
  

Equipment

• any needle, metal instrument or other item of equipment used in the treatment must be in a sterile condition and kept sterile until it is used
• if pre-sterilised items are not used then adequate facilities must be provided for the purpose of sterilisation
• if tattooing is being undertaken, then all dyes used must be bacteriologically clean and inert. The containers used to hold dyes for each customer must be disposed of at the end of each treatment or sterilised before re-use
  

Guidance Notes:

Licence holders must adhere to the following:

• it is an offence to tattoo any person under the age of 18 years (the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969) regardless of parental consent.
• a person under the age of 18 years may receive body piercing provided that a written permission from is produced, or the treatment is performed in the presence of, the person's parent or guardian.
• nipple and genital piercing is prohibited on minors, regardless of parental consent.
• the health of the client and the suitability of the treatment should be discussed prior to its administration. It is advisable to keep written records of the name and address of every clients also the date of the accupuncure. Accurates dates will be valuable if there is any question of an infection problem and can often help to protect the practioner.
• records should be retained for a minimum of one year.