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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe 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<\/a> in the UK have a tattoo. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s a \u00a3700m market that’s ripe for the picking…but one that’s not without its own rules and regs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To\u00a0stay compliant and lawful,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0essential to know your way around\u00a0UK\u00a0tattoo licence requirements.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, here are some handy FAQs for freelance tattoo artists and tattoo studio\u00a0owners. From how to apply for a\u00a0tattoo licence\u00a0to what\u00a0requirements\u00a0you need to know about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unless you happen to be a registered healthcare professional\u00a0(and therefore\u00a0already\u00a0regulated),\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0illegal to tattoo someone<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0or advertise your services as a tattooist\u00a0\u2013\u00a0without getting a\u00a0licence from the council first.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s\u00a0also\u00a0illegal\u00a0to\u00a0tattoo\u00a0anyone\u00a0under-18, full stop.\u00a0Anyone\u00a0caught tattooing a minor\u00a0for anything other than medical\u00a0reasons\u00a0risks\u00a0being\u00a0fined and\u00a0prosecuted,\u00a0and having their licence revoked.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n It simply isn\u2019t a risk worth taking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you’re a solo artist practicing from home or plan on opening up your own commercial tattoo parlour, you’ll have to register both yourself and<\/strong> your premises with the local council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u00a0can\u00a0track down your coucil’s contact info\u00a0using\u00a0Gov.uk\u2019s post code checker.<\/a>\u00a0Then\u00a0submit\u00a0your application\u00a0to them online or through the post.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are extra requirements with some tattoo licences and the process can look different depending on which council you’re applying with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if\u00a0you plan on working in\u00a0one of the\u00a0Greater\u00a0London\u00a0boroughs\u00a0(ie\u00a0outside of\u00a0the City of London),\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0have\u00a0to apply for a\u00a0\u2018special treatments licence’\u00a0\u2013\u00a0covering\u00a0you\u00a0for\u00a0tattoos, massage, laser, and a range of other\u00a0treatments.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0applying for the special treatments licence in person or via post,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0need to\u00a0send a copy of your application to the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.\u00a0(You\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0need to do anything\u00a0if you’re\u00a0applying online.)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whichever council you apply to,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0have\u00a0to\u00a0prove you are who you say you are.\u00a0Again,\u00a0exact requirements vary, but at the very least,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0need to\u00a0send in a\u00a0photo ID and\u00a0some\u00a0proof of insurance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most tattoo licences will also cover cosmetic piercing (defined as piercing any part of the body, including the ear). <\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s because both tattoo and ear piercing treatments have the same licence requirements in the UK. Such as clean premises, sterile equipment, and good hygience practices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that if\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0planning on piercing away from\u00a0your studio,\u00a0you\u2019ll\u00a0still\u00a0need\u00a0to apply for a personal licence on top of the premises one.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n To receive your registration certificate \u2013 the official document which proves you’re fully licensed \u2013 you may need to pay a one-off fee to the council. You’ll also need to prepare your premises for inspection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This\u00a0inspection\u00a0will usually\u00a0take place\u00a0soon after\u00a0you\u2019ve\u00a0submitted\u00a0your application.\u00a0To give yourself plenty of time, you\u00a0should\u00a0educate yourself on\u00a0any local\u00a0bylaws and health and safety\u00a0standards before<\/em>\u00a0you apply. These\u00a0vary from council to council and can be extensive.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n This toolkit from the Chartered Institute of Environment Health (CIEH)<\/a> has plenty of guidance. It sets out the standards of practice for most tattoo artists in England and Wales \u2013 including tips on personal hygience and hand washing, infection control, cleaning and sterilising of equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), sharp tools management, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n On passing your inspection and receiving your licence, you’ll generally be registered for as long as your premises don’t change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The exception is if you\u2019re 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n You should hang your registration certificate\u00a0up\u00a0somewhere\u00a0obvious…ideally,\u00a0so\u00a0your customers\u00a0can\u00a0see it as soon as they enter your studio.\u00a0Fail to\u00a0display a valid licence and you\u00a0can get fined by up to \u00a3500.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n As well as being a legal\u00a0requirement\u00a0in the\u00a0UK,\u00a0having a\u00a0tattoo licence\u00a0shows\u00a0that:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tattooing away from the premises where you\u2019re licensed is illegal. And for very good reason. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s no guarantee you can maintain the same standards of hygience and cleanliness away from your studio. There may also be trip hazards lying around which could endanger both you and your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, that\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0mean you\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0visit\u00a0trade\u00a0events…or even tattoo at them so long you’re set up with your own licensed mobile studio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You should check the rules beforehand with the event venue. And remember you can still end up accidentally hurting someone or damaging their property even if all you’re doing is mingling…we’d always recommend checking with your insurer to see if your public liability insurance covers you at events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re planning on taking some kit with you, you might want to add on contents insurance too. This will protect it if it’s damaged, lost, or stolen while you’re there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Displaying a\u00a0copy of your\u00a0tattoo licence\u00a0demonstrates\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0practicing in a way\u00a0that\u2019s\u00a0legal and compliant with\u00a0UK tattoo requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By tattooing in safe, hygienic surroundings,\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0protecting yourself, your staff,\u00a0and your customers from\u00a0localised skin\u00a0infections\u00a0and more dangerous, blood-borne diseases such as HIV, AIDS, and hepatitis.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n And while having a tattoo licence isn\u2019t firm proof of being insured (only an insurance certificate can do that), you\u2019ll very likely need to have some before you can become licensed to carry out tattoos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most local councils ask for proof of public liability (PL) insurance<\/a> 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\u2019re on your premises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you employ staff, you’ll need employers’ liability (EL) insurance<\/a> by law. There’s no getting around this requirement, and you can get fined up to \u00a32,500 a day for operating without it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n PL and EL\u00a0are\u00a0generally the\u00a0two\u00a0types of tattoo insurance\u00a0most tattoo studios need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However,\u00a0we\u2019d\u00a0also\u00a0strongly\u00a0recommend\u00a0treatment liability insurance<\/a>\u00a0to cover\u00a0you for medical issues arising from your\u00a0work (think\u00a0infections, allergic reactions, and skin damage, and the potential cost of covering these types of claims without any insurance.)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might also want to insure your equipment with contents insurance<\/a>. This covers it for any incidents of loss, theft, and damage. And means that if something happens to it \u2013 either at or away from your studio or whilst travelling to\/from it \u2013 you won\u2019t be left struggling to replace it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting your tattoo insurance<\/a> sorted doesn\u2019t have to be a faff. It really just boils down to two things: knowing your local council\u2019s requirements, and what else you need to secure your customers\u2019 safety (and your own peace of mind). <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Images <\/em>\u00a9<\/em><\/strong>PolicyBee 2025<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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. \u00a0 It’s a \u00a3700m market … Continue reading What are the UK\u2019s tattoo laws and regulations?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How do you get a tattoo licence in the UK?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nDo tattoo licenses cover body piercing too?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are there any other requirements for getting a UK tattoo licence?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How often should I renew my tattoo licence?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Where do I display my tattoo license?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Can I tattoo customers away from my studio?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Does having a tattoo licence prove that I\u2019m insured?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What insurance do I need for my tattoo studio?<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThink before you ink<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n