Skin piercing licence
Licence summary
To offer skin-piercing treatments - including tattooing, acupuncture, ear and body piercing - both the person performing the treatment and the premises must be registered with the local authority under Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. In some areas you may need a licence from the council. A list of registered skin piercing premises can be found on this website.
Where to find help
Apply online
You can aply for a licence or apply to change a licence on the Gov.UK website.
General enquiries
Eligibility criteria
Applications must include any information required by the council.
Licence fees
- Tattooist premises - £209
- Cosmetic piercing/electrolysis premises - £169
- Tattooist individual - £139
- Cosmetic piercing/electrolysis individual - £127
Regulation summary
Application evaluation process
No provision in legislation.
Will tacit consent apply
No. It is in the public interest that the council must process your application before it can be granted. Please contact us if you do not hear from us within a reasonable period.
Target completion
You can expect to be contacted by the Council within 14 days of receipt of your application. We would normally expect to let you know our decision on your application within 30 days of receipt.
Failed application redress
Please contact Cheshire West and Chester Council in the first instance.
Licence holder redress
Please contact Cheshire West and Chester Council in the first instance.
Consumer complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, further information about making a complaint, can be found on the Information for Consumers page of this website.
Public register or database
The register of premises may be viewed by making an appointment through the office as detailed above
Trade associations