Introduction to the Special Procedures Licensing Scheme

This page provides information about the new mandatory Special Procedures Licensing Scheme for practitioners and premises, which came into force on Friday 29 November 2024.

The scheme has mandatory requirements/conditions within the regulations for practitioners and premises/vehicles.

This information is subject to change and is based on the current proposals and information available.

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
  • Electrolysis
  • Tattooing (including semi-permanent make up / microblading)

Practitioners

The Special Procedures Licensing Scheme requires practitioners who perform any special procedure on someone else in Wales to be licensed.

This licence is referred to as a ‘Special Procedures Licence’.

Find out more about Special Procedures Licences.

Premises and vehicles

Premises/vehicles from which special procedures practitioners operate from will need to be approved, with an ‘Approved Premises Certificate’.

Find out more about Approved Premises Certificates.

Further guidance

Information about the guidance will be published when they are available.

Welsh Government

The Welsh Government is due to publish non-statutory guidance for the Special Procedures Licensing Scheme, which will provide:

  • detailed information on the requirements of the licensing scheme
  • how to apply for a licence and an approval certificate
  • how to comply with the license and approval conditions
  • the enforcement powers available to the local authority

Related webpages:

Special procedures (acupuncture, electrolysis, piercing and tattooing): implementation (external website)

Public Health Wales (PHW)

Public Health Wales (PHW) will also be publishing the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Guidance for Special Procedures in Wales, which will provide more detailed information and guidance on IP&C measures and how they can be applied in the special procedures sector.