Special Procedures Licence

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 piercings and intimate body piercings.
• 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.

New applicants seeking to become a special procedure practitioner and/or looking to manage a special procedure premises/vehicle should contact the local authority using the contact details below for an application.  Please note a licence lasts for 3 years.

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 Special Procedures Licence.  

Individuals and premises currently registered with Rhondda Cynon Taff Council.Everyone who is currently registered under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 to practise acupuncture (including dry needling), body piercing, electrolysis and tattooing (including semi-permanent makeup), and for the premises and vehicles where these procedures are performed within Rhondda Cynon Taff Council will receive a transitional licence in the post confirming that the person, premises or vehicle has a deemed licence/deemed approval certificate to keep practising the same procedure(s) or providing the same procedures from their premises providing they submit an application for the new scheme within 3 months of the start of the scheme on 29 November 2024.  These transitional licences/approval certificates are therefore NOT permanent. Anyone included in the transitional arrangements should submit their application(s) for the new licensing scheme before 28 February 2025 as the transitional arrangements will lapse on 1 March 2025.  

How to apply

In order to apply, Premises & Practioner applications must be submitted to the local authority . For questions about the application process, forms, or costs, please contact the team."