If you wish to provide one of these services, you will need to apply for registration. Please follow the relevant links below:

• Apply for a licence to carry out acupuncture, tattooing, piercing and/or electrolysis
• Apply to change acupuncture, tattooing, piercing and/or electrolysis licence

Alternatively you can request an application form by emailing EHSupport@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk or by writing to Environmental Health, P.O. Box 8045, Burton upon Trent, DE14 9JG, telephone 01283 508578 or 01283 508524.

Once an application has been made and the relevant fee has been received, an officer will undertake an inspection of the premises. If the officer considers the applicant's procedures and premises to be suitable, then registration will be approved.

The officer will also check compliance in line with the byelaws as well as ensuring that general health safety requirements are being met. The officer will offer advice if you are unsure on how to meet these requirements.

There is a one-off registration fee which covers the cost of administration and an inspection of your premises which will be carried out by one of the commercial team's Officers. The current fees are as follows:

* The initial registration fee will be for registration of the premises and one operator.  Additional operators may be registered to the same premises at an additional cost; this will be at a reduced rate as the initial fee covers the premises.  The additional activity fee is for an additional activity at the same premises such as tattooing and cosmetic piercing.

Fees have been set according to officer costs and administration involved in processing applications and will be reviewed annually.  An up to date list of fees will be made available both on the Councils web site and via post if requested.

If a business moves premises the full registration fee will be payable which will include an inspection of the new premises and re-issuing of registration certificates for existing operators.

If an operator moves premises, there will be a fee for re-issuing of a registration certificate to cover them at their new place of work.

We normally process applications without delay but please allow 28 days from the submission of your application for administration, inspection and receipt of your Registration Certificate.

No. Once you have applied for registration you must wait until your application has been processed and approved. It is an offence to conduct Acupuncture, Tattooing, Ear Piercing and Electrolysis unless the registration has been formally approved.

Please contact the Council's Environmental Health & Licensing Department in the first instance. If a registration is suspended or cancelled the registration holder may appeal to the county court.

Byelaws for tattooing

Byelaws for acupuncture

Byelaws for ear-piercing and electrolysis

The registration of premises will continue to remain in force provided that there is no transfer of the ownership of the business; should this occur then the new owner would need to apply for registration.

If you wish to make a complaint of any kind about a skin piercing operator or skin piercing premises within East Staffordshire please contact us.

If you are not happy with the service the Council has provided with regard to your application, please contact Environmental Health in the first instance, and we will try to resolve any concerns you may have.

If your complaint is still not resolved, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.