Skin Piercing Activities

The special procedures defined in Section 57 of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 are:

• acupuncture (including dry needling)
• body piercing (including ear piercing)
• electrolysis
• tattooing (including semi-permanent make up / microblading)

Each practitioner must have their own Special Procedure Licence, and they can only operate in a premises/vehicle that has been approved with an Approved Premises Certificate.

The scheme has mandatory requirements/conditions within the regulations for practitioners and premises/vehicles. You must comply with these requirements/conditions to receive a Special Procedure Licence and/or Approved Premises Certificate.

A Special Procedure licence and Approved Premises Certificate will last for 3 years from the date the licence is granted.

Temporary licences will be valid for no more than 7 days.

You will need to apply to the Local Authority within which you conduct your special procedures. If you practice in more than one Local Authority area in Wales, you should apply to the Local Authority where you conduct the majority of your special procedures.

The special procedure licence, when issued, is valid for the whole of Wales, as long as there is a premises approval certificate granted and that these premises are listed/referenced on the practitioner's Special Procedures Licence.

Temporary Special Procedure Licences will be limited to a specific event and/or timeframe. This will mean that a new application must be made for each separate event (unless the practitioner has a 3-year licence).

Practitioners who live outside of Wales but work in Wales, will need either a Temporary Special Procedure Licence (if infrequent and no more than 7 days) or a three-year Special Procedure Licence.

Supporting Documentation for a Practitioners Licence Application

• The application fee (paid as part of the online application form)
• One full face passport style coloured photograph
• Evidence of valid insurance cover in respect of the performance of a special procedure.
• Evidence of a recent basic disclosure certificate (DBS)
• Declaration of relevant offences (as set out in the Act).
• Evidence of the successful completion of a regulated Level 2 Award (infection, prevention & control)
• Verification of name and date of birth (e.g. passport, driving licence etc.).
• Verification of current residential address (e.g. driving licence, council tax letter, utility bill etc.).

Licence Fee

Additional Fees

Supporting Documentation for a Premises Licence Application

• One full face coloured photograph of the applicant (passport style)
• Evidence of valid insurance cover held by the applicant in respect of the premises or vehicle.
• Evidence of the successful completion of a regulated Level 2 Award in Infection, Prevention & Control for Special Procedures (an award that is regulated by Qualifications Wales)
• Verification of name and date of birth (e.g. passport, driving licence etc.).
• Verification of current residential address (e.g. driving licence, council tax letter, utility bill etc.).
• A premises/vehicle layout plan (must include points of entry/exit into the premises and into any rooms, measurement, and shape of any room within the premises and the location of equipment sinks, sharps bins, staff rooms, storage areas/facilities/rooms for products & equipment, toilets, waiting areas/rooms, wash hand basins, waste bins, windows and workstations).
• A recent colour photograph of the vehicle (if applicable)

Licence Fee

Additional Fees

View the Special Procedures Wales Public Register

Guidance

• Welsh Government: Special procedures
• NHS Wales: Special Procedures

Training

• Level 2 Infection Prevention and Control

Basic Disclosure Certificate (DBS)

• Request a DBS check

Visual resources

• Hand washing guidance poster