Is Your Tattoo Artist Qualified? What a Tattoo Licence Really Means in the UK

When you book a tattoo in the UK, you might reasonably assume that a tattoo artist who is registered with their local council has been assessed for their ability to tattoo.

Surprisingly, that is not necessarily the case.

In England, tattoo artists and premises must be registered with their local authority. However, registration should not be confused with a professional qualification or an assessment of an artist’s practical tattooing ability.

The UK Health Security Agency states that there are currently no legal requirements for professional competence and no nationally recognised or accredited training courses for tattooing and body piercing.

That distinction is important for anyone considering a tattoo.

At Avant Art Tattoo Studio in Chippenham, Wiltshire, we have chosen to maintain a much more extensive training process for our apprentices before we consider them ready to tattoo clients independently.

Here is what tattoo clients should know.

What Does a Tattoo Licence Actually Mean?

Under Section 15 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, tattooing businesses and the premises from which they operate must be registered where the legislation has been adopted. The Act also gives local authorities powers concerning matters including cleanliness of premises and practitioners, and the cleaning and sterilisation of equipment.

What that registration does not necessarily tell you is how long someone has trained as a tattoo artist.

It does not, under the national legislation, establish a minimum tattoo apprenticeship.

It does not establish a minimum number of tattoos that an artist must have completed under supervision.

And it does not require an artist to pass a practical tattooing examination demonstrating a particular level of artistic or technical competence before registration.

That is why seeing that somebody is “licensed” or council registered should not be the only thing you consider when choosing your tattoo artist.

What About Tattoo Apprenticeships?

Traditionally, becoming a tattoo artist has involved learning under an experienced tattooist through an apprenticeship.

A proper tattoo apprenticeship isn’t simply about learning how to operate a tattoo machine.

An apprentice needs to understand cross contamination, infection control, skin, equipment, needle configurations, tattoo placement, design, linework, shading, colour application and how different techniques affect the skin.

They also need something that can’t easily be compressed into a short course: experience.

Skin isn’t paper.

It moves, stretches and varies enormously between different people and areas of the body. A design that looks beautiful on an iPad still needs to work anatomically, be tattooable and, importantly, heal well.

Developing that judgement takes time.

How Artists are Trained at Avant Art Tattoo

The studio founder and artist Lavale has chosen to maintain a structured apprenticeship process even though the law does not prescribe one.

Avant Art training takes around two years.

During approximately the first year, apprentices concentrate on hygiene, theory, drawing, design development and practical tattooing techniques on artificial skin.

We don’t believe that being legally able to register means someone is automatically ready to tattoo a paying client.

Before an apprentice progresses to working on real skin, we want to see consistency, understanding and control.

Once Lavale considers an apprentice ready to tattooing clients, they continue learning through supervised practical work. Their progression towards independent tattooing is based on their development and readiness rather than simply the passing of a predetermined date.

Even after an artist begins working more independently, training doesn’t suddenly stop. Tattooing is a craft in which artists continue developing throughout their careers.

This is the standard Lavale has chosen for the studio because she believes the responsibility involved in permanently altering somebody’s body deserves that level of preparation.

Registered Does Not Mean Assessed for Tattooing Ability

This is perhaps the most important thing to understand as a client.

Council registration matters, but registration and professional competence are not interchangeable.

A registered tattooist has satisfied the applicable registration process. It does not mean that the local authority has examined their portfolio, watched them tattoo, assessed their linework, inspected healed tattoos or certified their artistic ability.

That isn’t criticism of individual councils. It reflects the regulatory framework under which they operate.

In fact, the legislation says that, subject to provisions within the Act, a local authority shall register the applicant and premises following an application. Its byelaw making powers include cleanliness and the cleansing or sterilisation of equipment.

So when researching a tattoo artist, don’t stop at asking:

“Are you licensed?”

Ask about their experience too.

How Can You Tell if a Tattoo Artist Is Properly Trained?

You don’t need to interrogate your tattoo artist, but you should feel comfortable understanding their background.

Look at their portfolio carefully. Don’t only look at impressive photographs of tattoos taken immediately after the session. Where possible, look for healed work too.

Find out how long they have been tattooing and how they learned.

If they’re relatively new, there’s nothing wrong with booking with an apprentice or junior artist. Every experienced tattooist was once a beginner. What matters is transparency about their level of experience and whether appropriate guidance and support are available to them.

Look at consistency rather than one exceptional tattoo.

And choose an artist whose portfolio demonstrates experience in the type of tattoo you actually want.

Can Someone Become a Tattoo Artist After a Short Tattoo Course?

A short tattoo course can teach information and techniques, but completing one should not be confused with demonstrating experience developed through extensive practical training.

More importantly, there currently isn’t a nationally prescribed period of tattoo training that somebody must complete before being registered in England. UKHSA confirms that there is no legal professional competence requirement and no nationally recognised or accredited tattoo training course.

So rather than asking whether somebody possesses a particular course certificate, clients should look at the bigger picture: training, mentorship, practical experience, hygiene knowledge, portfolio quality and healed results.

Why We Still Believe in Tattoo Apprenticeships

We could shorten our training process.

We choose not to.

At Avant Art, an apprenticeship isn’t designed simply to get someone to the point where they can legally tattoo.

The objective is to develop an artist who understands the responsibility they have towards the person trusting them with their skin.

Tattooing is permanent. Mistakes can be difficult, expensive or sometimes impossible to completely correct.

There is therefore a considerable difference between being legally registered to provide a service and having developed the experience necessary to provide that service to a professional standard.

Avant Art apprentices spend substantial time learning before being allowed to work independently because that’s the standard associated with the studio.

How to Choose a Tattoo Artist in the UK

Before booking, research the artist rather than simply choosing the closest tattoo studio or the lowest price.

Check that they operate legally and look carefully at their portfolio. Look for healed tattoos. Research how long they have been tattooing and how they trained. Check whether their experience matches the style of tattoo you want. Read genuine client reviews and pay attention to how clearly the studio communicates its hygiene, consultation and aftercare procedures.

Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

A professional artist should understand why you’re asking.

Your tattoo will be on your body for the rest of your life. Spending a little more time researching the person creating it is worth it.

Looking for an Experienced Tattoo Artist in Chippenham or Wiltshire?

Avant Art Tattoo Studio is based in Chippenham, Wiltshire, and is home to artists working across a range of tattoo styles.

We believe good tattooing begins long before the needle touches the skin, with drawing, education, hygiene, practice, mentorship and experience.

If you’re considering a tattoo and would like to discuss your idea with us, you can explore our artists and portfolios or get in touch with the studio to find the artist best suited to your project.

Avant Art Tattoo