Licensing in Aesthetics - Readiness

🏛️ 15. Health and Care Act 2022

✅ Purpose

The Health and Care Act 2022 was introduced to reform health and care regulation in the UK. One of its key updates (particularly relevant to aesthetic practice) is that it gives the Government powers to introduce a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England.

This means that in the future, aesthetic practitioners may be legally required to hold a licence to carry out certain advanced treatments.

💉 Relevance to Beauty and Aesthetics

The Act was introduced in response to growing concern over:

• Unsafe or unregulated procedures (e.g., fillers, Botox, skin boosters)

• Lack of standardised training or qualifications

• Public safety risks, especially from underqualified practitioners

It affects anyone offering or training in advanced procedures, such as:

• Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections

• Dermal fillers

• Profhilo, Polynucleotides, and other skin boosters

• Threads, PRP, or microneedling with depth

• Laser and IPL for skin rejuvenation or hair removal

🧾 What This Means for You (Current & Future Impact)

1. 📜 A Licensing Scheme is Coming

• The Act allows the Government to create a mandatory licensing system for certain non-surgical cosmetic treatments.

• Practitioners will likely need to apply for a licence, prove qualifications, and follow certain standards (e.g., premises hygiene, aftercare protocols).

• Training providers may also be affected – only licensed or approved centres could deliver recognised training in these areas.

2. 📚 Qualifications and Training Will Be Crucial

To prepare for upcoming changes:

• Ensure all your training is mapped to recognised standards (e.g. Level 7 or Ofqual-regulated)

• Keep records of CPD, insurance, and certificates

• If you're a training provider, make sure your materials are compliant with current and upcoming regulatory guidance

3. 🏥 Licensing May Include Premises Requirements

Licensing won’t just apply to the practitioner—it may include:

• Premises inspections

• Hygiene, waste disposal, and infection control standards

• Sharps and first aid compliance

If you operate from home or a shared space, you’ll need to make sure it meets licensing criteria once confirmed.

4. 🗓️ You Don’t Need a Licence Just Yet – But You Will

As of now (2025), no licensing system has been launched yet, but it is being developed by the Department of Health and Social Care.

The licensing will:

• Be developed through a public consultation

• Likely be rolled out over the next 1–2 years

• Include enforcement (meaning practitioners operating without a licence could face fines or bans)

📋 What You Can Do Now

• ✅ Review your qualifications and check they meet Level 7 or regulated standards

• ✅ Keep up to date on licensing developments through GOV.UK or the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP)

• ✅ Ensure your premises meet high health, hygiene, and safety standards

• ✅ Prepare to evidence your training, insurance, consent forms, and client records

Contact eyecandytrainingltd@gmial.com for information about upskilling form CPD to regulated qualifications

You can download your Licensing Readiness & Client Info Pack below

Licensing_Readiness_and_Client_Info_Pack_Health_Care_Act_2022.docx

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