Require DBS Checks for Tattoo Artists in England

We call on the government to introduce mandatory DBS checks for all licensed tattoo artists in England. Wales has shown this approach works. DBS checks will prevent those with violent or sexual criminal histories from working with clients, protecting public safety and ensuring trust in the industry.

Tattooing involves close, private contact, often with vulnerable clients, and current licensing does not screen for criminal history. Without DBS checks, dangerous individuals could gain access to clients. Wales has already implemented mandatory checks successfully. Requiring DBS in England will prevent harm, safeguard the public from violent or sexual offenders, increase accountability, and restore confidence in the tattoo industry nationwide.

No assessment has been made by the Department of the potential merits of requiring Disclosure and Barring Service checks for tattoo artists as part of existing local authority registration and licensing processes.

Local authority registration schemes

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 allows (but does not require) local authorities to put in place arrangements for the registration of certain cosmetic treatments, including tattooing, cosmetic piercing, electrolysis and semi-permanent make up, in addition to acupuncture. (“Registration” and “licensing” are often used interchangeably in this context; local authorities sometimes refer to such schemes put in place through this legislation as “licensing” or state that practitioners require a “licence”, although it is defined in legislation as “registration”.)

Under the Local Government Act 2003 and Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, the Department of Health and Social Care has produced model byelaws for these treatments. These byelaws set standards of practice for invasive skin procedures and other beauty treatments, which local authorities can choose to adopt. The procedures covered in this act involve some degree of skin piercing and therefore carry a risk of transmission of a blood-borne viruses. The purpose of the model byelaws is to recognise accepted standards that reduce the spread of infectious diseases and protect public health.

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 states that an application for registration “shall be accompanied by such particulars as the local authority may reasonably require”; however, there is no explicit requirement for practitioners to undergo or provide evidence of a DBS or other criminal record check.