You must register with the Council to carry out:
- tattooing
- semi-permanent skin colouring *
- cosmetic piercing **
- electrolysis
- acupuncture
This is covered under Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
Cornwall Council has also adopted skin piercing byelaws which regulate the provision of skin piercing activities.
* Semi-permanent skin-colouring includes semi-permanent make-up, micropigmentation, dermapigmentation, microblading, temporary tattooing, cosmetic tattooing etc.
** Cosmetic piercing includes ear piercing and body piercing.
Registration
The aim of registering skin piercing activities is to protect members of the public from the transmission of blood borne viruses such as:
- HIV,
- Hepatitis B,
- Hepatitis C
- and other infections.
The council has approved byelaws that set out the standards for the hygienic operation of skin piercing premises. Persons carrying out skin piercing must comply with these byelaws.
Registration consists of two elements:
- the person
- and the place where the skin piercing takes place.
A separate fee is required for registration of the person and of the premises. This is a one-off payment as there is no annual renewal process.
Please note, it is not possible to transfer a premises registration from one premises to another. If your business moves to another location, you will need to make application to register the new location and pay the registration fee.
Applications
Applications for Skin Piercing are not determined until an inspection of the premises has been undertaken. You must wait until the application has been determined before doing any of the activities listed at the top of this page.
The easiest way to apply is by downloading our form below:
Or alternatively you can apply via the GOV.uk website:
Apply for a skin piercing registration
Please contact businesscompliance@cornwall.gov.uk to discuss:
- an application,
- decision
- or consent.
Update a current application
If you currently have a personal or premise registration with us, you will need to inform us of any of the below changes;
- change of name for person or business
- add an additional premises or change of business location for a personal registration
- change of home address of individual
If your business location has changed, a new premises registration may be required.
If you are the business owner and are taking on a new premise, you will need to submit a premise registration. This is in addition to updates of personal registrations for anyone intending to work from the new location.
If you are transferring from one registered location to another and will be trading under the current registered business, an update to your personal registration would be required.
If you are unsure which applications or updates are needed or would like to check if we hold a registration for a premise, please contact us at: businesscompliance@cornwall.gov.uk.
Fees
Please view the current licensing fees and charges to find out how much you will need to pay.
If updating your current registration or applying via the downloadable form, please use the below link to make payment.
Public Register
Please contact businesscompliance@cornwall.gov.uk to discuss your requirements.
Consumer Complaints
Please contact businesscompliance@cornwall.gov.uk if you wish to make a complaint about someone carrying out any of the activities listed at the top of this page.
You should also contact us if you suspect someone is carrying out such activities without the appropriate registrations.