Special treatments licence

You need a licence for special treatments if you provide beauty treatments and complementary therapies on your premises.

Special treatments could include:

• massage
• acupuncture
• manicure
• laser treatments
• piercing and tattooing
• sauna and heated spa baths
• light or vapour treatments

Download a full A to Z list of the beauty treatments that require a licence (PDF)

Exemptions: when you do not need a licence

You do not need a special treatment licence if:

• you are not charging for treatments and not accepting donations or other rewards
• you offer treatments outside of a fixed location. This could be mobile services from a vehicle or in clients' homes
• doctors, dentists or other qualified health professionals give the treatments in a hospital or care home
• you are a member of a professional health body that we have approved for exemption

Exempt businesses list

You can download a list of businesses exempt from special treatments licences in Southwark (PDF)

Before you apply

Read the special treatments licence guidance notes (PDF) and make sure you have the following when you apply:

1. An up-to-date electrical installation condition report for your premises, valid for at least 5 years. 

2. An up-to-date emergency lighting report for your premises, valid for at least a year, but only if your premises is on more than 1 floor.

3. Two identical, full-face, passport-size photos for each person performing treatments. These photos must have been taken within the last 12 months. On the back of each photo, write:

• the date it was taken
• the full name of the person in the photo (in block capitals)
• your signature

4. Photo ID for each person performing treatments.

5. Relevant qualifications for each therapist working at your premises. These qualifications must be listed on the OFQUAL register, if one exists for the treatment being offered.