Skip to main content

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.

PDF Icon Skin piercing and cosmetic treatment bylaws - pdf - 136 Kb

PDF Icon Tattooing and body piercing guidance toolkit - pdf - 2.84 Mb

PDF Icon 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.

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 their visit.

Application forms

PDF Icon Application form personal registration - PDF - pdf - 226 Kb

Document Icon Application form personal registration - Word - doc - 84 Kb

PDF Icon Application form premises registration - PDF - pdf - 278 Kb

Document Icon Application form premises registration - Word - doc - 83 Kb

 

Email completed forms to envhealth@cheltenham.gov.uk or post to Environmental Health, Cheltenham Borough Council, Municipal Offices, Promeande, Cheltenham GL50 9SA.

Fees

  • Application for a personal registration - £134
  • Application for a premises registration - £134
  • Application to vary a personal registration - £63
  • Application to vary a premises registration - £63

Replace a certificate. You will need to email envhealth@cheltenham.gov.uk with the request and pay the fee of £20.50.

Vary your registration

Sometimes you need to vary your personal or premises registration, for example if you begin working at a different premises or if your name changes.

You will need to either:

  • Notify us in writing
  • Or complete an application form

Notify us in writing

For a personal address or name change you need to email envhealth@cheltenham.gov.uk. Please quote your registration number, and state what you wish to change. You will need to pay the relevant fee: 

  • Changes of personal address - No fee
  • Personal name changes - £20.50
  • Premises trading or owner name changes - £20.50

Complete an application form

For anything other than a name or personal address change you will need to complete a variation application form to vary your details. 

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

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

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

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

 

Email completed forms to envhealth@cheltenham.gov.uk.

You will need a new premises application if the premises you are moving to is not already registered.

PDF Icon Application form premises registration - PDF - pdf - 278 Kb

Document Icon Application form premises registration - Word - doc - 83 Kb

 

A byelaw compliance inspection may be required for these changes. 

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 is a medical practice and needs to be registered with Care Qualities Commission (CQC).  Advice on what to look for when considering cosmetic surgery is also available from the QCQ.

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.  

PDF Icon 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: envhealth@cheltenham.gov.uk supplying the operators name and the business address.

When considering an activity not registered or licenced 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 envhealth@cheltenham.gov.uk 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

© Cheltenham Borough Council 2026