Acupuncture, piercings, tattooing and electrolysis licensing (personal licence)

Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Apply for a licence or to change your licence
  3. Eligibility criteria
  4. Application evaluation process
  5. How long it will take to process your application
  6. Tacit consent
  7. How to make an appeal
  8. If you have a complaint

Overview

If you run an establishment for 'special treatments' in you may need a licence.

There is a fee for the premises and the person.

Conditions will apply to the licence.

Special treatments include:

  • Acupuncture
  • Tattooing
  • Cosmetic piercing
  • Electric treatments, eg electrolysis
  • Other special treatments, eg semi-permanent skin colouring, vapour, sauna or other bath treatments

Establishments that perform massage, manicure and light treatments, e.g. sunbeds, do not need a licence in South Tyneside. 

Read the byelaws.

Applications should be made to South Tyneside Council. There may be a fee.

You must provide any requested information in your application.

Apply for a licence or to change your licence

For more information, please contact Commercial Services on 0191 424 7922.

Eligibility criteria

You may be refused a licence if:

  • You are under 21 years of age
  • You have been convicted of an offence under specified acts or you are deemed unsuitable
  • The premises you intend to use are unsuitable
  • You don't have staff with adequate professional or technical experience
  • Your establishment is being carried out in contravention of any local act or bylaw

Application evaluation process

We will take into account any representations made by the chief constable regarding your application.

You will be given the opportunity to make representations before your application is refused.

How long it will take to process your application

If your application is successful and we have received all of the necessary documentation, your application will be processed within ten working days.

Tacit consent

Tacit consent is where an application is treated as accepted if a reply is not recieved within a certain timeframe.

Tacit consent cannot apply because the law requires you to have a permit from the Council and the premises must be inspected.

The Council will normally process your application within ten working days. If you would like to check on the progress of your application, please contact contact the licensing team on 0191 424 7695 or by emailing licensing@southtyneside.gov.uk.

How to make an appeal

Appealing a decision

Please contact South Tyneside Council in the first instance.

If you wish to appeal against a decision you may do so to the local Magistrates' Court.

Appealing a condition of the license

Please contact South Tyneside Council in the first instance.

If you wish to appeal against a decision you may do so to the local Magistrates' Court.

If you have a complaint

If you have a complaint, we advise that you contact the trader, preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery).

If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice.

From outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre.