From this date, anyone carrying out an activity listed as a special procedure will need to be licenced to do so by their local council.
The special procedures that will be licenced are:
- acupuncture (including dry needling)
- body piercing
- electrolysis
- tattooing (including semi-permanent makeup)
Any business who is currently registered with the council to carry out one of the procedures listed above will be contacted directly by the council in the coming weeks.
They will receive a letter or email with a transitional licence which will allow them to continue providing these services until 01 March 2025.
Businesses who receive a transitional licence will need to apply to the council for any new licence they require before 28 February 2025.
It will also explain what licences businesses will need to apply for to continue providing services, and how to apply for them.
Anyone looking to set up a new business to carry out one or more of the procedures listed above will also need to apply to the council for the relevant licences before they start operating.
The relevant licences are:
- practitioner’s licence – required for anyone carrying out any of the listed special procedures
- premises approval – required for anyone running a business out of premises they own or run. If you operate out of another person’s premises or business, you will not require this.
More information about the changes and fees for applying for a licence can be found on our website.
