Acupuncture, tattooing, piercing, electrolysis

You must be registered to practice any of the following types of skin piercing activities:

• Acupuncture
• Ear piercing
• Electrolysis
• Tattooing
• semi-permanent skin colouring

Premises and personal registrations are both required to practice in the borough. 

Personal registrations will not be issued unless associated with a valid premises registration.

Registration certificates are issued following receipt of a valid application.

Make an application

Before making an application please read the byelaws and any relevant areas of the tattooing and body piercing toolkit.  Also consider our points of note document which highlights typical new starter errors.

Skin piercing and cosmetic treatment bylaws - pdf - 136 Kb

Tattooing and body piercing guidance toolkit - pdf - 2.84 Mb

Skin piercing and cosmetic treatments registration points of note - pdf - 198 Kb

Once you are satisfied you can meet the byelaws, you will need to apply for a personal and/or a premises registration.

Personal registration certificates are only issued in association with a registered premises. New business normally apply for both at the same time.

Registration does not cover any planning, building regulation or listed building consents.  Where required applicants will need to apply for these separately.  

If you are looking to operate outside our boundary, you will need to contact the relevant local authority in which you wish to work and apply to them.

New registrations are normally visited to check compliance with adopted byelaws and address possible public health risks. Most business find a visit useful and choose to open after the visit.

Once you make your registration, remember to keep your details up-to-date otherwise you may invalidate your insurance.  If the your registration details are not correct your registration is invalid.  Do check your registration certificate once received (normally within two weeks from receipt of a valid application).  

Application forms

Application form personal registration - PDF - pdf - 226 Kb

Application form personal registration - Word - doc - 84 Kb

Application form premises registration - PDF - pdf - 278 Kb

Application form premises registration - Word - doc - 83 Kb

Email completed forms to [email protected] or post to Environmental Health, Cheltenham Borough Council, Municipal Offices, Promeande, Cheltenham GL50 9SA. 

Remember to pay the right fee (see fee section below) and pass on your payment receipt number. 

Fees

• Application for a personal registration - £138*
• Application for a premises registration - £138*
• Application to vary a personal registration - £65*
• Application to vary a premises registration - £65*

*Fees apply for 2026/27 financial year and are subject to change in April each year.

Fees are non-refundable. It is currently a one off fee, not an annual fee. 

Pay the fee and complete the relevant application or variation form, (see 'Make an application' or 'Vary your registration' drop downs).

 Applicants remain responsibility for keeping their registration/s details up-to-date.  Registrations with incorrect details are invalid, this could invalidate your insurance, please do ensure you keep your details up-to-date.

Changing your home address details or phone number on your registration is free,  
email [email protected] with your registration number and the old and new details. 

For a replacement certificate or to change a personal name (marriage etc.) or business name you can email [email protected] with the request and pay the reduced fee of £36*.

£65* variation fee applies where an additional activity is added to the registration. This is because a change in an activity can trigger a visit.  

The £65* fee also applies if the ownership of a premises changes (vary a premises registration) or if an operator wishes to work at another location within the borough (vary a personal registration). Operators should have all places at which they work, within the borough, on their registration certificate and/or on their registration details.    

A new personal registration and fee is required for operatives/practitioners who are new to practising in the district, regardless of any registrations in other local authority areas. Those wishing to start at a new practising location, who are already registered in the borough, will need to apply for a variation (see 'vary your registration' drop down).

A new premises registration and fee is required for all new premises or where the premises registration became invalid, for example, details not kept up-to-date and/or registration activities are not continuous risking building configuration changes between owners such as sink removal.

Vary or change your registration

Sometimes you need to vary or change the personal or premises registration you have made. 

Applicants are responsible for keeping their registration(s) details up-to-date and valid.  If your details are incorrect your registration is invalid which may invalidate your insurance.  Thank you for finding this page.

Complete a variation form

A variation form should be used and the fee paid (see also 'fees' drop down) when:

• An additional activity is needed
• Ownership of a premises changes (premises variation)
• A registered operator wishes to work at another location within the borough (personal variation). Remember a new premises application form will be needed if the premises you are moving to is not already registered (see 'Make an application') or a premises variation may be needed if you are the new owner of a registered premises etc.

Application form personal variation registration - PDF - pdf - 237 Kb

Application form personal variation registration - Word - doc - 78 Kb

Application form premises variation registration - PDF - pdf - 256 Kb

Application form premises variation registration - Word - doc - 78 Kb

Email completed forms to [email protected] or post to Environmental Health, Cheltenham Borough Council, Municipal Offices, Promeande, Cheltenham GL50 9SA.

A byelaw compliance inspection may be required for these changes. 

Changes needing written notification  

Changing your home address details or phone number, on your registration, for free. 
Email [email protected] with your registration number and the old and new details. 

For a replacement certificate or to change a personal (marriage) or business name you can email [email protected] with the request you will need to pay the reduced fee (see 'Fees' drop down).

You don't need any authorisation from the council to practice:  

• Botox and other skin or vitamin injectables
• Light treatments (including sunbeds, lasers, and intense pulse light)
• Saunas, steam, spa-pool, and other baths
• Massage treatments or facials
• Nail treatments (including manicure and pedicure)

If you carry out these activities, you must still ensure safety in your practice.  You must comply with health and safety legislation and any relevant industry standards.  

Cosmetic surgery (including buttock augmentation and other body contouring procedures) are medical practices and need to be registered with Care Qualities Commission (CQC).  Advice on what to look for when considering cosmetic surgery is also available from the CQC.

New legislation has come out regarding cosmetic procedures and a new licensing system is proposed. There has been a consultation on the proposals.   

Bylaws covering skin piercing and cosmetic treatments

We have adopted bylaws to secure the hygienic operation of these activities. Registered operators must comply with the adopted bylaws.

The bylaws ensure cleanliness of the premises, and its fittings. They also require persons registered to be clean and to use clean and sterile instruments.

The registration certificates and the bylaws must be displayed.  

Skin piercing and cosmetic treatment bylaws - pdf - 136 Kb

 

What to look for when seeking services

If you're considering using a practitioner for any of the registered activities listed on this page, we would  suggest you check the following:

• Both registration certificates and a copy of the bylaws are displayed
• Practitioners' qualifications and experience
• Practitioners' insurance

We can check if a premises is registered.  Ask us via email: [email protected] supplying the operators name and the business address.

When considering an activity that does not fall under the requirement for registration we recommend you check the practitioners' qualifications, experience and membership to a professional organisation.

Any qualifications should be Ofqual validated where possible and be at a level appropriate for the treatment. In good premises, a practitioners' insurance details should also be displayed. 

Raise a concern

Please contact the environmental health team by emailing [email protected] including the details of the business and the reason for your concern or complaint. 

If urgent, please call 01242 264135 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.  Where appropriate we can visit premises to check compliance and investigate concerns.

Related Pages

• Apply or renew licences and permits