Special procedures licensing scheme
The new special procedures licensing scheme came into effect on 29 November 2024.
Practitioners who perform any special procedure on someone else in Wales will be legally required to be licensed (this licence is referred to as a 'Special Procedures Licence') and premises/vehicles from which special procedures practitioners operate from will need to be approved (known as an 'Approved Premises Certificate'). The scheme will also have mandatory requirements/conditions within the Regulations for practitioners and premises/vehicles.
It is an offence for a practitioner to carry out a special procedure without a licence or to perform any procedures from premises or vehicles that are not approved, unless you have transitional licence/certificate. It is also an offence not to comply with the specific requirements detailed in the regulation for practitioners and premises/vehicles.
Special procedures covered by the new licensing scheme
The new scheme only applies to special procedures, which is defined in Section 57 of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, and includes:
- Acupuncture (including dry needling)
- Body piercing (including ear piercing)
- Electrolysis
- Tattooing (including semi-permanent make up / microblading)
Applying for a special procedures licence and / or a premises approval certificate
Before you start an application for either a special procedures licence as a practitioner you must check that you have ready and be able to submit proof, of the following documents:
1. An identity document to prove full name and date of birth (all applicants must be 18 years or over). Acceptable documents are:
- A valid passport or driving licence or
- Photographic ID card from the following list:
-
- a Biometric residence permit;
- HM Forces ID card;
- EEA National ID card;
- Irish Passport Card;
- Visa or Work permit.
2. A recent colour photograph of you the applicant.
3. A valid Basic Disclosure Certificate (obtained within 3 months or less of the application date).
4. A regulated Level 2 Award in Infection Prevention and Control for Special procedures (an award that is regulated by Qualifications Wales).
5. Special practitioners licence application (for individual practitioners) fee (more information can be found under the fees heading).
Business premises/ vehicle approval certificate, the individual applying must provide the following documents or a valid copy of the following documents, (the originals must be available on inspection during the officer visit) and fee.
1. An identity document to prove full name and date of birth (all applicants must be 18 years or over). Acceptable documents are:
- A valid passport or driving licence or
- Photographic ID card from the following list:
-
- a Biometric residence permit;
- HM Forces ID card;
- EEA National ID card;
- Irish Passport Card;
- Visa or Work permit.
2. A recent colour photograph of you the applicant
3. A regulated Level 2 Award in Infection Prevention and Control for Special procedures (an award that is regulated by Qualifications Wales)
4. Plans of the premises or vehicle
5. A recent colour photograph of the vehicle (if applicable)
6. Premises approval certificate application fee (more information can be found under the fees heading)
Your application must be accompanied by the appropriate application fee and applications will not be accepted without payment.
The fees are as follows:
Fees to be paid on application
License type |
Fee |
Special practitioners licence application (for individual practitioners) |
£159 |
Premises approval certificates application |
£244 |
Following a successful application and officer assessment to ensure you are meeting the conditions of the Regulations, all applicants will then be required to pay a compliance fee.
License type |
Fee |
Fee to be paid on issue of a special procedures licence |
£44 |
Fee to be paid on issue of a premises approval certificates |
£141 |
Other fees |
Fee |
Approved premises/vehicle – Temporary approval (ancillary event) * |
£385 |
Approved Premises/vehicle – Temporary Approval (convention/main purpose) *
|
£680 |
Variation of Approved Premises/vehicle Certificate (add procedure)
|
£189 |
Variation of Approved Premises/vehicle Certificate (structural change) |
£189 |
Variation of Approved Premises/vehicle Certificate (change of detail) |
£26 |
* Temporary certificates are valid for no more than 7 days. |
Licence period
The approved premises certificate lasts for a period of 3 years from the date the licence is issued.
I am currently registered with the Isle of Anglesey County Council do I still need to apply?
If you are already registered with this authority for your premises/vehicle to carry out acupuncture, body piercing, electrolysis or tattooing, you will be issued with a transitional licence. This will enable you to operate while you submit your application. It does not mean that you have been licensed/approved.
What happens when the Isle of Anglesey County Council receives my application?
We will check that your application is complete. If there is anything missing, we will contact you to obtain further information. Failure to provide all the necessary information with your application, will result in your application being rejected (please refer to the checklist on the application form).
When a satisfactory application has been received, an officer will contact you to make an appointment to visit your premises/vehicle. The visit will consider the following:
- your duties as a certificate holder under Part 4 of the Act,
- the mandatory licensing conditions, and
- the implications of non-compliance with the mandatory licensing conditions.
At the end of the visit, the officer will discuss any further actions that may be required before your application can be approved.
If your application is approved, your name and the details of your approval certificate will be published on the National Special Procedures Register.
How to apply
You must apply for a licence before the 1 March 2025.
Unless you apply for this licence, you will not be able to trade after this date.
Practitioner licence application
Our online form is currently under review.
In the meantime you can contact the Environmental Health team on 01248 750057 for an application form.
Premises / vehicle approval form