A guide to UK tattoo licence requirements  

The number of tattoo studios on the high street has more than doubled in the last ten years. And it’s now estimated that nearly a third of all adults in the UK have a tattoo.  

It’s a £700m market that’s ripe for the picking...but one that’s certainly not without rules and regs.  

To stay compliant and operate with your reputation intact, it’s essential to know your way around UK tattoo licence requirements.  

So, here are some handy FAQs for freelance tattoo artists and tattoo studio owners – from how to apply for a tattoo licence to what requirements you’d need to meet to stay compliant and maintain it.

What are the UK’s tattoo laws and regulations? 

Unless you happen to be a registered healthcare professional (and therefore already regulated) or tattoo your friends for free, it’s illegal to tattoo someone – or even advertise your services as a tattooist – without a licence.  

It’s also illegal to tattoo anyone under-18...full stop. Anyone caught tattooing a teen for anything other than medical reasons risks being fined and prosecuted, and having their licence revoked.  

It simply isn’t a risk worth taking.  

How do you get a tattoo licence in the UK? 

Whether you're a solo artist or plan on opening your own tattoo studio, you'll have to register both yourself and your premises with your local council.

You can track down their contact info using Gov.uk’s post code checker. Then submit your application to them online or through the post. 

There are extra requirements with some tattoo licences and the process can look a bit different depending on which council you’re applying to.  

For example, if you’re planning on working in one of the Greater London boroughs (ie outside of the City of London), you’ll have to apply for a ‘special treatments licence' – covering you for tattoos, massage, laser, and a range of other treatments.  

And if you’re applying for the special treatments licence in person or via post, you’ll need to send a copy of your application to the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority. (You don’t need to do anything when applying online.) 

Whichever council you apply to, you’ll have to verify your ID and prove you are who you say you are. Again, the requirements for these will vary, but at the very least, you’ll need to send in your photo ID and some proof of insurance.  

Do tattoo licenses cover body piercing too? 

Most tattoo licences cover both cosmetic piercing (defined as piercing any part of the body, including the ear) and tattooing. That’s because both tattoo and ear piercing treatments have the same licence requirements in the UK – clean premises, sterile equipment, and good hygiene practices.  

Note that if you’re planning on piercing away from your studio, you’ll likely need to apply for a personal licence as well as a premises one.  

Are there any other requirements for getting a UK tattoo licence? 

Before you can receive your registration certificate – the official document which proves you’re fully licensed – you may need to pay a one-off fee and/or prepare your premises, furniture, and equipment for inspection.  

The inspection will usually be soon after you’ve submitted your application. To give yourself plenty of time, you should educate yourself before you apply on any local bylaws and health and safety standards – especially as these can vary from council to council.  

This toolkit from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is a good resource to familiarise yourself with. It sets out the required standards of practice for most tattoo artists in England and Wales – including guidance on personal hygiene and hand washing, infection control, the cleaning and sterilisation of equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), sharp tools management, etc.  

How often should I renew my tattoo licence? 

On passing your inspection and receiving your licence, you’ll generally be registered for as long as your premises don't change.  

The exception is if you’re based in London, where you need to renew your licence roughly every 18 months. This varies by area, though, so be sure to check with your council when you apply.  

Where do I display my tattoo license? 

You should hang your registration certificate up somewhere obvious...and, ideally, so your customers can see it as soon as they enter your studio. Fail to do so and you can get fined £500.  

As well as being a legal requirement in the UK, having a tattoo licence show that: 

• Your tattoo business operates from safe, licensed premises that have passed local health and safety inspections. 
• You and your staff are aware of and compliant with local bylaws for hygiene and cleanliness.  

Can I tattoo customers away from my studio? 

Tattooing away from the premises where you’re licensed is illegal. And for very good reason.  

There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to maintain the same standards of hygiene and cleanliness away from your studio. There may also be trip hazards lying around which could compromise both you and your customers’ safety, and throw your business into disrepute.  

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t visit trade events to network and mingle with other tattooists. Obviously, though, you can still end up accidentally hurting someone or damaging their property...which is why we’d recommend checking in with your insurer beforehand to see if your public liability insurance will cover you at events.  

And if you’re planning on taking your kit with you, you might want to add on contents insurance too. This covers it if it’s damaged, lost, or stolen while you’re there.  

Does having a tattoo licence prove that I’m insured? 

Displaying a copy of your tattoo licence demonstrates you’re doing your utmost to practice in a way that’s legal and compliant with UK tattoo requirements.

By carrying out your work in safe, hygienic surroundings, you’re protecting yourself, your staff, and your customers from localised skin infections and more dangerous, blood-borne diseases such as HIV, AIDS, and hepatitis.  

And while having a tattoo licence isn’t firm proof of being insured (only an insurance certificate can do that), you’ll very likely need to have some before you can become licensed to carry out tattoos.

What insurance do I need for my tattoo studio? 

Most local councils ask for proof of public liability (PL) insurance when you apply for your tattoo licence. This is to ensure you can cover any accidental injury or damage you cause to clients and/or their property while they’re on your premises.  

If you employ staff, you’ll need employers’ liability (EL) insurance by law. There’s no getting around this requirement, and you can be fined up to £2,500 a day for operating without it.   

PL and EL are generally the two types of tattoo insurance most tattoo studios need. However, we’d also strongly recommend treatment liability insurance to cover you for medical issues arising from your work (think infections, allergic reactions, and skin damage, and the potential cost of covering these types of claims without any insurance.) 

You might also want to insure your equipment with contents insurance. This covers it for any incidents of loss, theft, and damage. And means that if something happens to it – either at or away from your studio or whilst travelling to/from it – you won’t be left struggling to replace it.   

Think before you ink 

Getting your tattoo insurance sorted doesn’t have to be a faff. It really just boils down to two things: knowing your local council’s requirements, and what else you need to secure your customers’ safety (and your own peace of mind).  

Have more questions about how to protect your tattoo business with the right insurance? Just give our team of experts a call on 0345 216 0027.  

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