You will need to register your premises if it is located within the Sevenoaks District and you carry out any of the following skin-piercing activities:
- Acupuncture
- Electrolysis
- Ear and nose piercing
- Cosmetic body piercing
- Tattooing
- Semi-permanent skin colouring (micropigmentation, microblading and temporary tattooing)
We register both commercial and domestic premises, and a non-refundable application fee applies. The fee depends on the category of skin-piercing activity:
- Category A – Ear and nose piercing with a hygienic piercing instrument
- Category B1 – Acupuncture
- Category B2 – Electrolysis
- Category C – Cosmetic body piercing, tattooing and semi-permanent skin colouring (micropigmentation, microblading and temporary tattooing)
A premises only needs to be registered once. However, registration is not transferable, and a new premises application must be made if:
- The business moves to a new location
- The business changes ownership
- You wish to add a treatment in a higher category, for example, if a Category A premises wishes to offer treatments in Category B1, B2 or C
You can request an amendment to your premises registration certificate if you wish to carry out procedures in the same or a lower category than your existing registration.
Each individual practitioner also needs to be registered for the skin-piercing activities they carry out.
Things to consider
You must comply with local byelaws and be familiar with and follow the Kent Code of Practice for Hygienic Skin Piercing and other related guidance.
Download toolkits, guidance and byelaws
You should also consider:
- Employee and public liability insurance
- Hepatitis B vaccination (if applicable)
- First aid training
- Comprehensive client records and consultation
- Providing clients with written aftercare advice
- Your duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
Before you apply
Please have the following information and documents to hand:
- Clinical waste disposal contract
- Photographs of the wash-hand basin and disposable paper towel dispenser
- Photographs showing the walls and floor of the treatment room
Once you have applied
We will contact you to arrange a registration visit. During the visit, we will check compliance with the byelaws and the Kent Code of Practice for Hygienic Skin Piercing, and ensure health and safety requirements are being met.
You may be required to take action to ensure safety standards are met. We will explain any action required during the inspection and confirm it in writing afterwards.
Once registered, we will send you a certificate, which must be kept on public display.
We may carry out a further visit to check that you are complying with legislation and guidance. We may also visit if we receive a complaint, you ask us for advice or you wish to amend your registered details.