Tattooing
Register a Special treatment
Before you consider registration for tattooing or body piercing , you should read and understand CIEH Tattooing and body piercing guidance toolkit.
You can register a Special treatment online at GOV.UK
When you make your application you will need to:
- supply a passport photograph
- pay a one-off fee of £137.50
The fee covers:
- our administration costs
- inspecting the premises on a periodic basis
- registration of one operator
We carry out inspections to make sure you are maintaining the correct standards.
If you want to register more than one operator there is an additional charge of £44 per person.
Inspection
Once we have received your registration, we will inspect your premises on a regular basis.
We will carry out your inspection against the standards in our bylaws and CIEH tattooing and body piercing guidance toolkit. You should make sure your premise meets the requirements.
As part of this, you must have wash hand basin located in your treatment room and an adequate supply of:
- cleaning chemicals
- soap
- paper towels
- hot water
- disposable gloves
To make sure you comply with the conditions of your tattooing registration, you must have the following documents available:
- a copy of your clinical waste disposal agreement
- your patient consent records
- a blood spillage procedure
- a sharps injury procedure
- a hand washing poster
- a COSHH assessments for the chemicals you use
- a cleaning schedule
- a sharps disposal procedure
Underage tattooing
Under the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 Chapter 24, it is an offence to tattoo a person under the age of 18 unless the tattoo is performed for medical reasons by a duly qualified medical practitioner or be a person working under their direction.
If you are under 18, you cannot get a tattoo even with your parents' permission.
If you are aware of premises offering to tattoo persons under the age of 18 you should report it to Essex Police on 101.
