New licensing scheme that will improve hygiene and safety standards for special procedures.
Contents
Full guidance for practitioners of special procedures will be published shortly.
Context
From 29 November 2024, new licensing rules are 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 are currently registered to perform such procedures and all new applicants.
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
Transition period for practitioners and businesses registered with their local authority
There will be a period of transition when the licensing scheme comes into force. This will allow practitioners and businesses who are currently registered to continue to practise in the short term. Local authorities will notify those individuals if they are granted a deemed licence or a deemed approval certificate.
Individuals will need to submit their application form under the new scheme by 28 February 2025. This is so it can be assessed and processed. Local authorities will notify individuals of the outcome.
If local authorities have not made a decision on applications by 28 February 2025 individuals will still be able to continue to practise. They can continue to practise until their local authority provides them with a decision on their application.
It could take a number of months for local authorities to assess all the applications in the move to the new licensing scheme. They will also be dealing with applications from new applicants for a licence or approval certificate.
People, premises and vehicles which have never been registered
Individuals who have never been registered, will need:
- to apply for a licence for themselves
- an approval certificate for the premises/vehicle they will be operating from
They cannot begin to practise or use the premises/vehicle to provide special procedures until their local authority has completed processing their application.
The transitional arrangements do not apply to individuals who have never been registered.
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 populate this register as they grant licences and approval certificates.
This process will take place over a number of months. We will publish the link to the register here in the new year.
Local authorities will update the register as more licences and approval certificates are granted.