Approved Premises and Special Procedures Licence

Part 4 of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 creates a mandatory licensing scheme for practitioners and businesses carrying out ‘Special Procedures’ in Wales.

The four procedures which require a mandatory licence under the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 are:

• Acupuncture – includes traditional acupuncture and also dry-needling. It does not include any acupuncture-related discipline that does not involve inserting needles into the skin.
• Body piercing – includes all areas of the body, including ear and nose piercing's and intimate body piercing's.
• Electrolysis – applies only to the uses whereby a needle is inserted into the skin.
• Tattooing – includes semi-permanent make-up (ie any beauty therapy that involves inserting colouring material into the skin) as well as traditional tattooing.

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.

• A special procedure licence lasts for 3 years.
• An approved premises licence lasts for 3 years
• A temporary licence is valid for no more that 7 days.

All applicants for licences and/or approval certificates must be at least 18 and must have taken and passed the approved level 2 Infection Prevention and Control course to be eligible to apply.

You must not carry out any of the above procedures without a Approved Premises and Special Procedures Licence.

Supporting Documentation 

Supporting Documentation for a Practitioners Licence Application must be submitted with the application.

• The application fee
• 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.).

Supporting Documentation for an Approved Premises Licence Application must be submitted with the application.

• 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).
• Evidence of valid insurance cover held by the applicant in respect of the premises or vehicle.
• Evidence of the regulated level 2 Award in Infection Prevention and Control for Special procedures.
• If licensing a vehicle, a recent colour photograph of the vehicle must be provided.

Licence Fees

Please find guidance issued by Welsh Government.  Please read the guidance before applying :-

Special procedures: acupuncture, electrolysis, body piercing and tattooing | GOV.WALES

Apply for a Licence

What happens next

Once your application has been received, an officer will contact you to arrange an interview at your premises to discuss your application and assess your infection control procedures and your compliance with the mandatory conditions. Once complete, your will receive your Approved Premises Certificate and/or Special procedures licence and badge. Your details will be added to the National Register of Practitioner and Approved Premises: Special Procedures Public Register

If you require any further information please contact;