So you wanna be a body artist?

Like Ed, d’you find you’re at a crossroads in life – not sure whether or not to become a Tax Inspector, or take the plunge and go it alone as a Body artist? See if our 10-point guide can help you make up your mind….

1. ‘Ello, ‘ello, ‘ello
There are no central regulations governing who can or cannot set themselves up as a professional body artist/piercer. Outside London, anybody can trade as a piercer without any formal training.

2. But before you run off for the needles
Under UK law, anybody wishing to practise as a body artist/ piercer must be registered with their Local Health authority.

3. Where do I sign?
Each Local Health authority sets its own criteria and competence tests before registering a piercer and issuing a certificate. So check it out locally.

4. Did you ‘ear that?
Believe it or not, no matter which LHa issues you with a certificate, this only allows you to pierce ears by law. There is no law, and therefore no licence covering the nose, lip, eyebrow, tongue, nipple, naval, genitalia, or any other anatomically-pierceable parts.

5. Put the needle down and raise your hands slowly into the air
DO NOT PIERCE! Unless you are professional, at the very best you run a high risk of causing a life-threatening infection. You also run the risk of being charged with assault.

6. H.I.V./A.I.D.S., hepatitis
and other blood-borne diseases are an everyday danger for both piercer and client.

7. Don’t D.I.Y.
The top and bottom line of piercing is that an untrained person should never, under any circumstances, pierce him/herself or anyone else. If you want to become a professional - get trained.

8. Sticking it where the sun don’t shine
Make sure you sign up on the best possible course. National courses are run by the European Professional Piercers assocation, and the association of Professional Piercers. There are also reputable local training courses – so check with your LHa to see who they recommend.

9. Show us the money
Once you’ve got yourself properly trained, the first thing you’ll realise is that setting yourself up as a professional piercer requires a lot of mullah… Just for starters, you’ll need suitable premises, Public Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity and LHa registration.

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