Lcensing scheme to improve hygiene and safety standards for special procedures.
Contents
Context
A compulsory licensing scheme is in place for the following special procedures in Wales:
- acupuncture (including dry needling)
- body piercing (including ear piercing)
- electrolysis
- tattooing (including semi-permanent makeup and microblading)
It is important to have effective infection prevention and control measures in place for these procedures. Not following such measures can increase the risk of infections for both clients and licence holders. This could result in legal action being taken.
What you need to know
The purpose of the licensing scheme is to:
- improve hygiene and safety standards
- ensure such standards are consistent across Wales
- help protect the health of clients
- support them to choose licensed individuals operating from approved premises and vehicles
Special procedure licence
A person who performs any of the 4 designated special procedures must apply for a special procedure licence. They must apply to their local authority. This applies to all individuals who were previously registered to perform such procedures and all new applicants. It also applies to any individual who is part of any other scheme in the UK who wants to work in Wales.
Approval certificate for premises and vehicles
Individuals must apply to their local authority for an approval certificate if they:
- are responsible for a premises or vehicle used for these procedures
- manage a special procedure business
Application requirements
Individuals will need to meet specific criteria before applying for a licence or an approval certificate if they are:
- an individual practitioner
- in charge of premises or vehicles
Local authorities manage applications for the scheme and can tell you what you need to do.
We have also published our own guidance documents to help people comply with the scheme.
Transition period for practitioners and businesses registered with their local authority
The transitional period for practitioners and businesses registered under the old registration scheme is now closed. Local authorities have assessed all but a few remaining applications and have brought them into the scheme.
Anyone who was notified of transitional arrangements but did not apply now have to apply as new starters. If they continue to practice, they will be subject to local authority enforcement action.
People, premises and vehicles: new starters
Individuals who are new starters will need:
- to apply for a licence for themselves
- an approval certificate for the premises or vehicle they will be operating from
They cannot begin to practise or use the premises or vehicle to provide special procedures until their local authority has completed processing their application.
People and vehicles in other UK schemes
Other schemes for special procedures with different rules operate in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and London boroughs. Anyone who is licensed or registered somewhere else must follow the Welsh rules. They must have a Welsh licence or a vehicle approval certificate before they can work in Wales.
Choosing a licence holder
When choosing a tattoo artist, acupuncturist, body piercer or electrolysis practitioner, make sure:
- they have a valid special procedure licence
- their premises or vehicle has an approval certificate
Display of licences and approval certificates
Licence holders must display their licence at their main place of work or wear their lanyard licence. Approved premises and vehicles must also display their approval certificate.
National register
A national register has been created to publicise all valid licence holders in Wales. This will include approved premises and vehicle certificate holders.
The aim of the register is to give confidence to the public that all individuals appearing on the register will be licenced or approved to operate in Wales.
Local authorities will update this register as they grant licences and approval certificates.