Licence summary

If you offer tattooing, semi-permanent skin colouring, cosmetic piercing, acupuncture or electrolysis in Northern Ireland, you must be registered with your local district council.

If you work from premises, they must also be registered.

Once registered, you will be issued with a certificate of registration.

Eligibility Criteria

You must provide specific information including details of your premises and any previous convictions for practicing without a licence in this field.

Regulation Summary

Applicants should be aware that it is an offence to carry on the businesses mentioned above unless they are registered with the Council.

Should you be found guilty of such an offence you may be fined up to £1000.

The Council has made bye- laws in relation to the operation of such establishments - a copy of these will be made available on receipt of your application or can be accessed by following the links below.

Your premises will be inspected following receipt of your application to ensure compliance with the appropriate bye- laws.

Any breach of the appropriate bye- laws may result in a fine of up to £1000.

Anyone found guilty of the breach of the bye- laws may also have their registration suspended or cancelled by the courts.

A summary of the regulation can be found here: Regulation summary

Legislation about control by district councils of acupuncture, tattooing, ear-piercing and electrolysis
Bye-laws for businesses carrying on Ear-piercing or electrolysis
Bye-laws for businesses carrying on acupuncture

Application Evaluation Process

A completed application form must be accompanied with a copy of suitable public liability insurance and the relevant fee.

On receipt of your application you will also be registered with the Environmental Health Department for the purposes of Health and Safety and the premises will be inspected to ensure that you comply with all relevant health and safety legislation and the appropriate bye laws.

Once it has been established that your premises complies with health and safety requirements and the bye laws the persons and premises will be registered.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

No. It is in the public interest that that all equipment and premises to be used in such activities are inspected and found to be suitable and hygienic before you can begin trading to prevent the transfer of, or contamination from, blood borne, and other, diseases.

If you have not heard from the Council within a reasonable period, please contact us. You can do this online here if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or telephone the Environmental Health Department on 028 79397979, or email env.health@magherafelt.gov.uk

Apply online

Apply to register your premises for Tattooing, Acupuncture, Electrolysis or Cosmetic Piercing

Tell us about a change to your existing registration

Contact Details

Telephone: 028 79397979

Fax: 028 79397980

E-mail: env.health@magherafelt.gov.uk

Environmental Health Department
Magherafelt District Council

50 Ballyronan Road

Magherafelt

BT45 6EN

Failed Application Redress

Please contact Magherafelt District Council in the first instance.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact Magherafelt District Council in the first instance.
If a registration is suspended or cancelled the registration holder may appeal to the county court.

Register of licences, registrations and approvals

Information regarding Register of licences, registrations and approvals

Consumer Complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - 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.

Other Redress

Any complaints about how a premises is operated should be made directly to the Environmental Health Department on 028 79397979, or by emailing env.health@magherafelt.gov.uk

Trade Associations

None