Apply for a special treatment licence

Qualifications and right to work

Licence-holders must make sure people offering special treatments in their premises: 

  • have the right to work in the UK
  • hold suitable qualifications 

Check if a person has the right to work on GOV.UK

We only accept nationally regulated qualifications. 

Find a regulated qualification on GOV.UK

Qualifications from overseas 

We accept overseas qualifications if they’re comparable to the required UK qualification.  

You must apply for a statement of comparability from UKENIC to show that a qualification is comparable.

Traditional tattooing and cosmetic piercing 

There are no accredited qualifications available for tattooing or cosmetic piercing. 

The practitioner must be able to provide evidence of: 

  • 2 years’ apprenticeship, including references, or
  • training with a tattooist who has at least 2 years’ experience 

Accredited qualifications are available for: 

  • micro-blading
  • micropigmentation
  • semi-permanent make-up 

If you want to offer these treatments, you must have the relevant qualifications.