Any qualification must be regulated by Ofqual, you can check that qualifications are regulated by them on The Register of Regulated Qualifications.

Any qualifications from overseas will have to be submitted by the therapist/practitioner to UK ENIC. A compatibility certificate will indicate the qualification comparison of the international qualification and the UK qualification equivalent.

Alternatively you may be able to do a conversion course with a training provider to upgrade your training to an Ofqual regulated qualification.

The information below sets out minimum acceptable qualifications for many special treatments. However, the Ofqual regulated courses can change and you are advised to check their website for any new courses and to check that courses have not been removed.

If the treatment you wish to offer is not listed please contact Jenny Seal with details of what you wish to offer so we can advise you on acceptable qualifications.

Acupuncture

• CNM Diploma in Acupuncture
• BSc (Hons) Acupuncture
• Traditional Chinese Medicine BSc (Hons)
• Acupuncture MSc
• Professional Licentiate in Acupuncture (Lic. Ac.)

Advanced electrolysis

• VTCT Level 4 Advanced Epilation Techniques
• ITEC Level 4 Blemish Removal
• VTCT (ITEC) Level 5 Certificate in Advanced Blemish Removal

Cosmetic piercing including beading, bio skin jetting, micro dermal anchors

No accredited qualifications available. You must be able to either:

• provide evidence including references of two years experience or
• provide evidence you are training with a cosmetic piercer that has had at least two years experience

Training must cover infection control.

The practitioner may be required to successfully complete an infection control course, specified by the Council, and/or to complete a questionnaire on infection control. Any practitioner failing to satisfactorily complete the questionnaire may be required to undertake further training to improve their knowledge, by successfully completing a course specified by the Council, before they can be included as a licensed practitioner on the premises licence.

Ear piercing

• VTCT Level 2 Award in Ear Piercing (QCF)
• Safe Pierce ear and nose piercing training on their own equipment

Cosmetic Piercers meeting standards set out for ‘Cosmetic Piercing’ (above) do not need to hold this qualification for ear piercing.

Electrical treatments

• ITEC Level 3 Certificate in Body Electrical Treatments
• ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Massage and Electrotherapy Treatments
• ITEC NVQ Level 3 Apprenticeship in Spa Therapy
• ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Beauty and Massage Therapy
• ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Beauty and Spa Therapy
• ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Facial and Body Massage Treatments
• ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Beauty Therapy
• VTCT Level 3 Extended Diploma in Beauty Therapy
• VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy General (QCF)
• CIBTAC Level 3 Award in Facial Electrical Treatments
• CIBTAC Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy Treatments
• CIBTAC Level 3 Diploma in Electrotherapy Treatments
• Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy Studies as long as the units ‘Provide facial electrotherapy treatments’ and ‘Provide body electrotherapy treatments’ have been completed

Electrolysis / electrical epilation (hair removal)

• CIBTAC Level 3 Certificate In Electrical Epilation (QCF)
• ITEC Level 3 Certificate in Epilation
• VTCT Level 3 Certificate in Epilation
• CIBTAC Level 3 Certificate in Epilation
• ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Epilation (VRQ)
• other accredited Level 3 beauty qualifications such as the ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy where the ‘Provide Electrical Epilation’ unit has been completed as part of the course

Laser / IPL

• ITEC Level 4 Diploma In Laser and Light Treatments
• CIBTAC Level 4 Certificate In Laser and Light Skin Rejuvenation (QCF)
• VTCT Level 4 Award in Laser and Light Treatments for Skin Rejuvenation (QCF)
• ITEC Level 4 Diploma in Laser and Intense Pulsed Light Treatments
• IAO Level 4 Certificate In Laser and Intense Pulsed Light Treatments (RQF)
• City & Guilds Level 4 Award In Laser and Light Treatment for Skin Rejuvenation (QCF)
• VTCT Level 4 Certificate in Laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatments
• City & Guilds Level 4 Award In Laser and Light Treatment for Hair Removal (QCF)
• ITEC Level 4 Certificate in Laser and Light Treatments for Skin Rejuvenation
• City & Guilds Level 4 Award In Laser and Light Treatment for Hair Removal (QCF)
• CIBTAC Level 4 Certificate In Laser and Light Hair Removal (QCF)

Specific treatments given must be within the level 4 training undertaken, otherwise higher levels of training are required.

N.B. Level 5 training is required for tattoo removal as follows:

• VTCT (ITEC) Level 5 Certificate in Laser Tattoo Removal
• CIBTAC Level 5 Award in Laser Tattoo Removal

Plus Mandatory ‘Core of Knowledge’ training which must be delivered by an LPA who is approved by one of the following:

• RPA2000 list of certificate holders
• Association of Laser Safety Professionals
• Laser Protection Adviser Service
• Public Health England

Manicures

• VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Nail technology (covers manicure, pedicure & nail extensions, including use of electric file)
• VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Nail Technology (QCF)
• VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services (QCF)
• ITEC Level 2 Certificate in Nail Technology
• CIBTAC Level 2 Award in Providing Manicure Services
• City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate in Beauty Therapy
• Focus Awards Level 2 Certificate in Nail Treatments
• ITEC Level 2 Award in Provide Manicure Treatments
• ITEC Level 2 Certificate in Manicure
• VTCT Level 2 NVQ Award in Providing Manicure Services (QCF)
• City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Manicure (QCF)

Massage

Only massages that are stated on a qualification will be permitted on a licence.

Where a general massage qualification is held, modules should be evidenced.

• VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Massage Therapies
• ITEC Level 3 Certificate in Body Massage
• VTCT Level 3 Certificate in Stone Therapy Massage
• ITEC Diploma in Beauty and Massage Therapy
• TQUK Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy - Massage (RQF)
• ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Facial and Body Massage Treatments
• CIBTAC Level 3 Certificate in Massage Techniques
• VTCT Level 3 Certificate in Thai Massage
• ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Massage Therapies
• VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Massage Therapy
• ITEC Level 3 Award in Body Massage
• VTCT Level 3 Certificate in Swedish Massage
• City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Indian Head Massage (QCF)
• City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Body Massage (QCF)
• VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy Massage (QCF)
• ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Stone Therapy Massage (VRQ)
• ITEC Level 3 Award in Indian Head Massage
• CIBTAC Level 3 Award in Indian Head Massage (QCF)
• CIBTAC Level 3 Certificate in Stone Therapy Massage (QCF)
• VTCT Level 3 Certificate in Beauty Therapy Studies (Massage)
• VTCT Level 3 Extended Diploma in Massage Therapies
• ITEC Level 3 Award in Stone Therapy Massage
• ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Indian Head Massage (VRQ)
• VTCT Level 3 Certificate in Indian Head Massage
• VTCT Level 3 NVQ Award in Indian Head Massage (QCF)
• CIBTAC Level 3 Award In Body Massage (QCF)
• ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Massage and Electrotherapy Treatments
• ITEC Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy Massage
• ITEC Level 3 Award in Massage using Pre-Blended Aromatherapy Oils
• VTCT Level 3 Certificate in Massage Using Pre-Blended Aromatherapy Oils
• CIBTAC Level 3 Diploma In Massage Techniques and Beauty Therapy Services
• City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy - Massage (QCF)

Microblading

• VTCT Level 4 Certificate in Microblading Techniques
• VTCT Level 4 Certificate in Enhancing Eyebrows with Microblading Techniques

Micro-pigmentation, semi-permanent make-up 

• ITEC Level 4 Certificate in Micro-Pigmentation Treatment
• ITEC Level 4 Award in Micro-Pigmentation Treatment
• City & Guilds Level 4 Award in Enhance Appearance using Micro-Pigmentation Treatment (QCF)
• VTCT Level 4 Certificate in Micropigmentation (QCF)

For scalp micropigmentation:

• ProQual Level 4 Certificate in Micropigmentation - Machine Method for Scalp
• ProQual Level 4 Certificate in Micropigmentation - Machine Method for Face and Scalp
• VTCT (ITEC) Level 4 Award in Scalp Micropigmentation Treatments
• VTCT (ITEC) Level 5 Award in Micropigmentation for Camouflage and Restoration

Nail extensions

• VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Nail technology
• VTCT Level 2 Certificate in Nail Technology (QCF)
• VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services (QCF)
• City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate in Nail Treatments
• Focus Awards Level 2 Certificate in Nail Technology
• CIBTAC Level 3 Certificate in Nail Technologies
• ITEC Level 2 Certificate in Nail Technology

Pedicures

• VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Nail technology (covers manicure, pedicure & nail extensions, including use of electric file)
• ITEC Level 2 Certificate in Nail Technology
• CIBTAC Level 2 Award in Providing Pedicure Services
• City & Guilds Level 2 Technical Certificate in Beauty Therapy
• Focus Awards Level 2 Certificate in Nail Treatments
• VTCT Level 2 NVQ Award in Providing Pedicure Services (QCF)

Plasma Fibroblast

• ProQual Level 4 Certificate in Skin Tightening and Rejuvenation using Plasma Technology
• VTCT (ITEC) Level 4 Award in Plasma Pen Techniques 

Reflexology

• VTCT Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology
• CIBTAC Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology
• SEG Awards ABC Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology for Wellbeing
• Agored Cymru Level 5 Diploma in Practitioner Reflexology
• VTCT (ITEC) Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology Treatments
• VTCT Level 4 Diploma in Reflexology for the Complementary Therapist
• VTCT (ITEC) Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology for the Complementary Therapist

Steam rooms / spa pools / water baths / sauna

• City and Guilds Level 3 NVQ Award in Monitor Clients and Operate Sauna, Steam and Hydrotherapy (QCF)
• Swimming Teachers Association (STA) course: Pool Plant Operations
• ITEC Level 3 diploma in Spa Treatments
• CIBTAC Spa Therapy Diploma

Documented specific manufacturer training for the facility offered in your premises. Must include evidence of understanding and implementation of Legionella controls.

Tattooing

No accredited qualifications available. You must be able to either:

• provide evidence including references of two years experience or
• provide evidence you are training with a tattooist that has had at least two years experience

Training must cover infection control. The practitioner may be required to successfully complete an infection control course, specified by the Council, and/or to complete a questionnaire on infection control. Any practitioner failing to satisfactorily complete the questionnaire may be required to undertake further training to improve their knowledge, by successfully completing a course specified by the Council, before they can be included as a licensed practitioner on the premises licence.

Ultra violet tanning (sunbeds)

• The Sunbed Association training package
• VCTC Level 2 Award in Skin Tanning Techniques
• NVQ unit BT30 Provide UV Tanning Treatments
• ITEC Level 2 Award in Apply Skin Tanning Techniques
• ITEC Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy with optional unit Provide UV Tanning Services
• Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Beauty Therapy with optional ‘Provide UV Tanning’ unit

What are the fees for a new licence?

The fee depends on the Category of treatment you are giving. The fee is for the highest category and the others are dealt with alongside, for example, if you have one Category B and three Category C treatments, you will pay the Category B fee and all 4 treatments within that application will be dealt with at once covered by the one fee.

The current fees can be found at special treatment licensing fees.

Please check that all practitioners are suitably qualified before applying for treatments by clicking on the acceptable qualifications link on special treatment premises licence information.

You may lose some or all of your fee if the treatment cannot be added because the practitioners are not suitably qualified.

I have someone new I want to work in my premises, what do I do to add them to the licence and what are the fees?

You will need to complete a variation form to add a practitioner to your existing licence. To get a form you need to contact the Licensing Partnership direct by completing a licensing enquiry form. Please indicate if you need it in an accessible format.

The fees to add a practitioner, or multiple practitioners at the same time, can be found at special treatment licensing fees.

Please check that all practitioners are suitably qualified before applying for treatments by clicking on the acceptable qualifications link on special treatment premises licence information.

If you do not check this and you apply, you may lose your fee.

I want to know if the treatments I am offering need a licence?

The A to Z of Special Treatments (PDF) lists all treatments that are either licensable or not and are in alphabetical order of the treatments. The list will tell you the category of treatment also, Category A, B or C, this relates to risk and the higher the risk, the higher the fee.

If you have a new treatment that is not listed, please contact jenny.seal@bexley.gov.uk

Do I have to pay the fee for a Category A treatment and the fee for a Category B/C treatment for my licence application as the treatments are from different categories?

If you are applying for the treatments at the same time, you only pay one fee, but the fee is for the highest Category (highest risk) and the others are dealt with alongside, for example, if you have one Category B and three Category C treatments, you will pay the Category B fee and all 4 treatments within that application will be dealt with at once covered by the one fee.

Please check that all practitioners are suitably qualified before applying for treatments by clicking on the acceptable qualifications link on special treatment premises licence information.

You may lose some or all of your fee if the treatment cannot be added because the practitioners are not suitably qualified.

I want to do Botox and fillers; do I need a licence?

Guidance from the A to Z on special treatments (PDF).

These treatments are currently not licensable, however, you will see that both Botox and Fillers should be carried out by a registered medical practitioner or a registered general nurse, particularly as the complications from treatments can require urgent access to prescription medicines. Further advice can be found on the JCCP website. The information on Botox and fillers has been extracted from the A to Z guidance below:

Botox

It is administered by injection into the facial muscles and blocks the nervous impulses that control these muscles. Because the treated muscles cannot contract, they tend to relax, taking away the facial lines and imparting the appearance of smooth skin. Botox can be used in combination with cosmetic filler implants e.g. Hyaluronic Acid to provide a non-surgical ‘face-lift’. Botox is an endotoxin produced by Clostridium Botulinum, it is a powerful nerve agent and in a different context a dangerous food poisoning toxin. It is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) and should therefore only be administered by a registered medical practitioner or a registered general nurse. The effects of the treatment last approximately 3 to 6 months.

Hyaluronic Acid (cosmetic fillers/dermal fillers)

An inert polysaccharide is used for facial line and wrinkle correction. It binds with water to form a cosmetic filler material that can be injected subcutaneously into the area under treatment. It may be combined with Botox to provide a non-surgical ‘face- lift’. Manufactured under brand names Restylane, Perlane or Hylaform. The effects may last for approximately 3 to 6 months, some will last longer depending on the product used, between 6 and 18 months. This is a ‘medical device’ product and must comply with the EU Medical Device Directives. They should be administered by a registered medical practitioner or a registered general nurse. The management of dermal fillers complications require timely access to prescription medicines.

I want to start a new treatment; how do I add a treatment to my licence?

You will need to complete a full variation form to add a treatment to your existing licence. To get a form you need to contact the Licensing Partnership direct by completing a licensing enquiry form. Please indicate if you need it in an accessible format.

Check the treatment in the A to Z list (PDF) to see which category the treatment comes under for fees. The fees can be found at special treatment licensing fees.

I want to sell my business; can I transfer my licence to the new people and how much will it cost?

Yes, you can, an application form is available to transfer a special treatment licence to someone new. This can be cheaper than applying for a new grant of a licence. A consent form is also needed for the transfer, and if the premises manager will be new a variation application to change the premises manager and a consent form for the premises manager is also needed.

However, what the new person(s) needs to also consider is whether they are keeping on the same practitioners and whether they are wanting to provide the same licensable treatments that are currently on the licence, as it could work out more expensive to add practitioners, do a full variation to add treatments and transfer and vary the premises manager, so this is something that needs to be looked into carefully by the new person(s).

The fees can be found at Special treatment licensing fees.

Can I change my hours on the licence and how much will it cost?

Yes, you can, but you also need to check that any hours you wish to operate are within the planning permission that you have, if not you will need to seek planning permission to change the hours.

You will need to complete a minor variation form to change your existing hours on your existing licence. To get a form you need to contact the Licensing Partnership direct by completing a licensing enquiry form. Please indicate if you need it in an accessible format.

The fees can be found at special treatment licensing fees.

Can I have more than one licence in a premises if someone rents space from my business?

The licence is for the premises, so if for example, someone rents a room(s) from you then it would all come under the one licence.

If there is a very defined space that is being rented, and it is totally separate and distinct from the other, then two licences may be issued, for example, one business is on the first floor of a premises and the other is on the ground floor.

I want to start doing treatments from my home, can I do this and what do I need to do?

You may need planning permission, even for your residential property. Whether your proposal constitutes a material change of use that requires planning permission will be a matter of fact and degree, and will depend upon a number of factors, such as the times that treatments will be undertaken, numbers of visitors to the property, etc. The London Borough of Bexley welcomes and encourages pre-application discussion. Details of this service can be found at planning pre-application advice service.

Planning can be contacted by email at development.control@bexley.gov.uk

All the standard conditions (PDF) need to be met so please be sure that you can meet these.

You may also need Building Regulations Approval if you are changing the drainage or erecting a structure in the garden, so please check with Building Control. They can be contacted by telephone on 020 8303 7777 or email them at building.control@bexley.gov.uk

Do I need planning permission to work from home?

You may need planning permission, even for your residential property. Whether your proposal constitutes a material change of use that requires planning permission will be a matter of fact and degree, and will depend upon a number of factors, such as the times that treatments will be undertaken, numbers of visitors to the property, etc. The London Borough of Bexley welcomes and encourages pre-application discussion. Details of this service can be found at planning pre-application advice service.

Planning can be contacted by email at development.control@bexley.gov.uk

All the standard conditions (PDF) need to be met so please be sure that you can meet these.

You may also need Building Regulations Approval if you are changing the drainage or erecting a structure in the garden, so please check with Building Control. They can be contacted by telephone on 020 8303 7777 or email them at building.control@bexley.gov.uk

I want to do treatments using a laser, what requirements do I need to meet?

Guidance on setting up a business doing laser or IPL can be found at guidance information.

I want to set up a business doing microblading, what do I need to do?

Guidance on setting up a business doing microblading can be found at guidance information.

What qualifications do I need to offer special treatments?

Information on acceptable qualifications is contained on special treatment premises licence information. Please check this fully as you may lose some or all of your fee if the treatment cannot be added because the practitioners are not suitably qualified.

I have not yet received my qualification certificate, but the college can confirm I have passed, is this sufficient?

No, this is not accepted. You must have a full VTCT certificate as this demonstrates that the course has been externally validated. VTCT may be able to provide you with an electronic certificate prior to the issue of a printed version, this will be accepted, and should be followed up by sending the full VTCT certificate once issued.

Can I employ a trainee to do treatments?

Only certain trainees can be added to the licence. Apprentice tattooists and cosmetic piercers may be added to the licence as there is no regulated course for these practitioners. The process is the same for adding any other practitioner (see question 2 above).

Also, trainees or apprentices who are on work experience placement as part of a recognised traineeship (skills development programme) to help 16 to 24-year-olds - or 25-year-olds with an education, health and care (EHC) plan or as part of a recognised apprenticeship. Evidence of the traineeship or apprenticeship must be provided to the Council on request.

A variation application form must be submitted to the Council to add a trainee/apprentice and they must be named on the licence as an apprentice.

The wording of apprentice cannot be removed without the consent of the Council.

I no longer provide licensable treatments at the premises, what do I do with the licence and do I get a refund?

You can surrender your licence by returning it to:

The Licensing Partnership
Council Offices
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 IGP

Unfortunately, there is no refund as the costs to issue the licence have already been met by the Council.

What happens if I change my mind during the application process, do I get a refund?

If you change your mind during the application process you may be able to have a partial refund depending on the circumstances and how much work has been carried out.

There is a general admin charge for work on applications that cannot be resolved/made valid (to be deducted from any refund of the application fee).

However, where the application is withdrawn further through the process and work has been carried out by the inspecting officer and other officers then it is unlikely that any refund shall be given.

Some practitioners have left my premises, do I need to do anything?

You can remove practitioners without additional charge at the time that the licence is renewed or varied.

If you do not wish to wait for your next renewal or variation application then you will need to contact the Licensing Partnership by completing a licensing enquiry form to advise them of the name(s) of the person(s) that need to be removed from the licence and pay a fee to change the details of the licence.

The fees can be found at special treatment licensing fees.

I have changed my home address and/or email, do I need to tell anyone?

It is a condition of the licence that the licence holder shall notify the Council, in writing, of any change of the licence holder’s private address or registered office address within 14 days of the change taking place.

You can contact the Licensing Partnership completing a licensing enquiry form or write to them at:

The Licensing Partnership
Council Offices
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 IGP

I did not renew my licence, what happens now?

You cannot renew a licence once the licence has expired, legally it has ceased to exist so it cannot be renewed, so there is no option but to apply for a new grant application. You will need to complete a new application form. To get a form you need to contact the Licensing Partnership direct by completing a licensing enquiry form. Please indicate if you need it in an accessible format.

The fees can be found at special treatment licensing fees.

This applies, even if you say that you did not receive your renewal documents for you to sign. Renewal notifications are sent by the Licensing Partnership are goodwill, but if you do not receive them, please contact the Licensing Partnership by completing a licensing enquiry form well in advance of your licence expiring to request that any papers are sent providing the contact details you need them to be sent to (either by post or email).

You should always keep a note in your diary of the expiry date of your licence and ensure that you apply for renewal well before the renewal date. You can apply to renew your licence up to 3 months in advance of its expiry date.

Once a licence has expired, unfortunately it cannot be extended or renewed and the fee will be higher as a new grant fee.

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

For a general enquiry about the process or to request a form, you should contact the Licensing Partnership by completing a licensing enquiry form or call them on 01732 227004.

For a specific question relating to the type of treatments, acceptable qualification, the standard conditions or anything that you cannot find on our website then please email jenny.seal@bexley.gov.uk

Guidance notes

This is not a definitive list of ‘special treatments’. It is provided by way of guidance only.

The fact that a treatment does not feature on the list does not automatically mean that it can be provided at a premises without the need for a licence. The first point of contact for advice on any treatment not listed is via the Council’s Health & Safety Team.

E* Treatment is exempt as it must be carried out by a Registered Medical Practitioner or a Registered General Nurse.

E** Treatment is exempt when carried out by a therapist who is a member of an exempt body.