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Tattooing and skin piercing
How to register, licence costs and general guidance for practitioners and businesses.
Guidance for tattooists and skin piercers
Safe and Clean Treatments
Businesses and professionals must make sure all treatments are done safely and hygienically. They must follow local rules (byelaws), the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and other relevant laws.
Insurance
Employers’ liability insurance
If you have employees, you must have this by law. It helps cover costs if an employee gets sick or injured because of their work.
Public liability insurance
This is optional but recommended. It protects you if a member of the public makes a claim against you. However, it might not cover treatment-related claims unless specified.
Training
Practitioners must be properly trained and skilled to safely carry out treatments.
It’s recommended to take a formal infection control course, especially for things like tattooing. These courses can be found online.
Training should be updated regularly—at least every three years.
If using special equipment (like autoclaves), you must be trained to use it safely.
Infection control
Practitioners should follow the Tattooing and Body Piercing Guidance Toolkit, which includes advice on:
- preventing infections
- hand washing
- using gloves and protective gear
- handling sharp tools and exposure to blood
- safe waste disposal
- cleaning and disinfecting
- sterilising equipment
- giving aftercare advice
- first aid
Following this guidance is not required by law, but it helps you stay compliant.
Steam sterilisation (autoclaves)
If you use an autoclave to sterilise tools:
- make sure it’s the right type for your tools
- keep records showing it works properly
- use the toolkit’s templates to help with this.
Legal requirements for autoclaves:
- must be well-maintained
- users must be trained
- a qualified person must create a written inspection plan
- the equipment must be inspected regularly
- keep all maintenance and inspection records on site
Waste disposal
Keep records of how you dispose of clinical waste. These must be available for inspection.
