A national beauty licence does not exist, but certain local authorities — particularly London boroughs — require a Special Treatment Licence covering a wide range of treatments including massage, manicures, facials, and waxing. Operating without one where required is a criminal offence.
What changed
There is no national licence for beauty therapy, nail technicians, or mobile hairdressers. But "no national licence" does not mean "no licence at all" in every area. Under the London Local Authorities Act 1991, all London boroughs require businesses and sole traders to hold a Special Treatment Licence for a wide range of treatments — including massage, manicures, pedicures, facials, epilation, and waxing. Some non-London councils operate equivalent local licensing schemes under their own local acts or byelaws.
The licence typically requires: an application to the local authority, evidence of relevant qualifications, an inspection of your premises or a description of your mobile operation, a fee set by the individual council (typically £100–£400 for a sole trader), and annual renewal. The specific treatments covered vary between councils, so a treatment that requires a licence in one London borough may not require one 10 miles away in a non-London authority. You must check with your specific local authority, not assume the rules are uniform.
Mobile operators are not exempt. If you travel to clients' homes, you are still operating a business within the local authority area where you perform the treatment. Some London boroughs require mobile therapists to hold a licence covering every borough in which they work — which for a busy mobile therapist could mean multiple licence applications.
Operating without a required Special Treatment Licence is a criminal offence under the relevant local act. Penalty structures vary but typically include fines of up to £1,000 per breach. More significantly, a complaint from a client or a local authority inspection that reveals unlicensed operation can result in an enforcement notice and prohibition from trading until the licence is obtained.
Who this affects
Beauty therapists, nail technicians, mobile hairdressers, massage therapists
Regulatory body: Local authority (London Local Authorities Act 1991 and equivalents)
What businesses should review
- Note: No single national date — this is a local authority obligation that applies from the point you start trading in a covered area.
- Action now: Go to your local council's website and search for "Special Treatment Licence" or "special treatments." If you work across multiple areas, check each one. In London, assume the licence is required and apply before trading. Check your treatment list against the council's defined scope — not all treatments are covered in every area.
- Consequence: Criminal offence under local authority legislation. Fine up to £1,000 per breach. Enforcement notice prohibiting trading until licensed.