Register to provide acupuncture, tattooing, piercing or electrolysis treatments

To offer skin-piercing treatments as a business, the premises and the person performing the treatment must be registered with the council. This is a requirement under The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.

Skin-piercing treatments include:

acupuncture
cosmetic piercing (ear and body)
electrolysis
semi-permanent skin colouring
tattooing

Registration covers both the person carrying out the treatment, and the premises used for that purpose.

There are no powers to refuse registration, but the practice is controlled through compliance with byelaws.

You will be required to display a copy of your certificate of registration, and a copy of the byelaws at the premises.

How long with the registration last?

Registrations will remain in force until either:

the business ceases to exist

the registration is cancelled

A practitioner will also need to submit a new registration if they move to an alternative premises.

Processing timescales

We aim to process applications within 20 working days.

Your registration documents can take up to 10 more working days to be issued.

Apply online

This form can only be used for a single applicant (practitioner) and a single treatment type - for the appropriate fee.

If the form contains multiple applicants, or multiple treatment types, it will be rejected.

A separate application form and fee must be submitted for each individual practitioner, and treatment type the practitioner wishes to be registered for.

To apply

You will need to login inside the licensing portal via the link below.

You will need your BRUM account login details - or register for an account, if you do not already have one.

We have created a user guide to help you navigate the portal.

Page last updated: 02 August 2024

Council Services