A new three-tier licensing scheme will require every aesthetics practitioner in England to hold a local authority licence before performing covered procedures. No licence is live yet, but the standards are visible and preparation must begin now.
What changed
The UK aesthetics industry is facing its most significant regulatory overhaul since the sector emerged as a commercial force. On 7 August 2025, the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed the framework that will govern non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England under powers granted by the Health and Care Act 2022. The government published its consultation response setting out a three-tier risk classification — red, amber, and green — and confirmed that both practitioners and premises must hold separate licences before any regulated procedure can be performed. Two licences. Both required. Separate fees.
The tier structure dictates who can do what and where. Green-tier procedures are lower-risk treatments open to any licensed practitioner meeting agreed minimum standards. Amber-tier procedures — expected to include Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, and a wide range of common aesthetic treatments — may still be performed by non-healthcare practitioners, but only under the named oversight of a regulated healthcare professional. Red-tier procedures, including certain high-risk body contouring treatments such as liquid BBL, are restricted entirely to regulated healthcare professionals operating in CQC-registered premises. Performing a red-tier procedure without CQC registration once the scheme is live will be a criminal offence.
As of June 2026, no licences are active and no statutory instrument has been made. The DHSC committed to a further public consultation during 2026 before finalising the scheme, and stated it intends to restrict the highest-risk procedures first. That sequencing matters: red-tier rules could arrive before the amber-tier licensing scheme is fully in place. A transition period is planned, but its length has not been confirmed.
The baseline requirements — recognised training qualifications at the appropriate level for your procedures, professional indemnity and public liability insurance, written client consent records, documented aftercare protocols, and compliant hygiene standards — are already visible in the consultation response and will not change materially in the final rules. The window for preparation is open now. It will not remain open indefinitely.
Who this affects
Aesthetics practitioners (England)
Regulatory body: Department of Health & Social Care / local authority
What businesses should review
- 7 August 2025: DHSC published three-tier risk framework. Confirmed direction of travel.
- 2026: Further public consultation expected before scheme comes into force.
- Ongoing: Transition period will follow consultation — length unconfirmed.
- Consequence when live: Performing a licensed procedure without a practitioner or premises licence is a criminal offence carrying an unlimited fine and the risk of prosecution. Local authority enforcement officers will conduct spot checks. Red-tier violations additionally expose practitioners to CQC enforcement.
- Action now: Audit your training certificates against the tier your procedures sit in. Amber-tier practitioners need Level 4–7 qualifications depending on procedure type — check where you stand. Confirm your insurance covers the procedures you perform. Ensure your client consent documentation is written, signed, and retained. Get your hygiene and aftercare protocols in writing.