Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, any treatment that breaks the skin requires a certificate from the council. All premises or individuals that wish to practice the following treatments must register with Portsmouth City Council:
- tattooing
- acupuncture
- cosmetic tattooing/micro blading
- piercing
- electrolysis
- aesthetics
Note: individuals who are registered medical practitioners don’t need to register with the council. However, the premises are required to be registered with the council, along with a fee. Anyone working from the premises who is not a registered medical practitioner must be registered with the council, and a fee is required.
Applying for a skin treatment licence
If you want to practice a skin treatment, use the link above to apply for a licence.
Once payment has been confirmed, please contact the regulatory services at specialskintreatments@portsmouthcc.gov.uk and arrange a visit from an officer to carry out an inspection of the premises.
Please note: you cannot trade until your premises have been inspected by the local authority.
An inspection can last up to 90 minutes. The inspection will cover the hygiene of the studio, and that the correct paperwork is in place for removal of clinical waste and sharps boxes. All equipment that is to be used in any procedure must be present at the time of the inspection, along with any other paperwork that you consider to be relevant.
Once the inspection is complete and the inspecting officer is satisfied that there are no concerns, you’ll be informed if you can trade straight away. The certificate can take up to 14 days to arrive.
Requirements for setting up your studio
The local authority are unable to tell you how to set a studio up. However, you must consider setup in relation to safe hygiene practices and the competency of you and your staff.
The byelaws that govern skin piercing industry can be found on our health and safety page.
Read the Tattooing and Body Piercing Guidance Toolkit written by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and Public Health England.
Mobile tattooing and tattooing from your home
Mobile tattooing is not permitted within the city boundary.
Permanent tattooing is not permitted from a residential home. Tattooing must take place in a commercial premise.
You can carry out these treatment from your home address: semi-permanent tattooing, micro blading, acupuncture, electrolysis are all permitted, providing you comply with the bylaws and have been inspected by the Local Authority. You must also register with the environment agency to be a waste carrier as you will be carrying a sharps box and clinical waste.
Removing clinical waste and sharps box
As the practitioner, you are responsible for arranging a registered hazardous waste carrier to collect and dispose of clinical waste correctly.
