A to Z of services: Licence - Massage and Special Treatment (MST)

You do not require a licence or registration in order to offer massage or similar therapeutic treatments in Hartlepool . (Note that certain skin-piercing treatments do require registration -  Tattooing, Ear-Piercing, Electrolysis & Acupuncture.

You must, however, ensure compliance with health & safety legislation, which places a general duty on you to ensure the health & safety of both yourself and your clients. This relates to the range of general risks which may be present in your premises, as well as any risks which might foreseeably arise from the treatments you carry out.

Information and Guidance:

Guidance on health and safety can be found by visiting the Health and Safety Executive's website: www.hse.gov.uk

More tailored health & safety information and best practice guidance on a range of therapeutic treatments (including massage) may be found in the priced publication , 'Body Art, Cosmetic Therapies and Other Special Treatments' (CIEH/Barbour Index). Available from Chadwick House Publishing Group at:

Chadwick House Publishing Group, Chadwick Court , 15 Hatfields, London , SE1 8DJ. Phone: 0207 9286006, Website: www.cieh.org

If you have any queries regarding this topic, please contact us at:

Commercial Services Section, Regeneration and Neighbourhoods Department, Hartlepool Borough Council, Civic Centre, Victoria Road , Hartlepool TS24 8AY

Telephone: (01429) 284157