Wales Introduces UK-First PMU Licensing: What It Means for Training, Students, and the Future of Regulation

The permanent makeup (PMU) industry in the UK is no stranger to regulatory inconsistency. For years, standards around training, licensing, and accountability have varied widely depending on local authority interpretation, creating grey areas for artists, educators, and clients alike.

In late 2024, Wales became the first UK nation to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for special procedures, including permanent makeup, tattooing, electrolysis, body piercing, and acupuncture. This move has positioned Wales at the forefront of regulatory reform and has sparked important conversations across the PMU education sector.

At NABP, we believe this moment marks a turning point for the industry and warrants thoughtful, open discussion.

What Has Changed?

Under the new Welsh licensing framework:

• Anyone performing PMU on a live model must hold their own licence

• This applies even during training

• Students are not permitted to work on live models at their trainer’s premises unless they themselves are licensed

• A trainer’s licence does not extend to cover students

• Premises must also be licensed and approved for special procedures

In practical terms, this means that traditional training models where students practice on live models under supervision without holding individual licences are no longer permitted in Wales.

This represents a significant shift from how PMU education has historically operated across much of the UK.

Why Has This Been Introduced?

The Welsh Government’s intention is clear:
to improve public health outcomes, reduce infection risk, and ensure that anyone breaking the skin is appropriately assessed, accountable, and operating within regulated environments.

From a client-safety perspective, licensing:

• Clarifies responsibility

• Reduces ambiguity around competence

• Ensures traceability in the event of complaints or complications

• Encourages higher, more consistent hygiene and procedural standards

These are outcomes the PMU industry has long needed.

The Impact on PMU Education

Where discussion intensifies is around education and accessibility.

Live-model experience is widely considered essential in PMU training. The Welsh model raises important questions, including:

• How do students gain hands-on experience if licensing is required before live practice?

• Does licensing become a barrier to entry, particularly for new artists?

• Should trainee-specific licences or structured exemptions exist?

• How do we maintain consistency across borders when regulations differ between UK nations?

For trainers and academies, the changes also introduce increased responsibility to ensure students, premises, and course structures remain compliant, not just best practice, but legally.

A Precedent for the Rest of the UK?

As the first UK nation to implement a mandatory licensing scheme for PMU, Wales may well be setting a precedent.

Local authorities, insurers, educators, and regulatory bodies across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are watching closely. The question is not if wider regulation is coming but how it should be implemented.

At NABP, we believe regulation must strike a careful balance between:

• Client safety

• Artist accountability

• Educational integrity

• Industry sustainability

  NABP’s Position: Open, Informed, Collaborative

  NABP exists to raise standards without restricting progress.

  We support:

  • Clear, enforceable safety standards

  • Transparent accountability for practitioners

  • Structured, compliant education pathways

  But we also recognise that poorly defined regulation can unintentionally damage education and access if industry voices are not part of the conversation.

  This is why we are encouraging open dialogue between:

  • Trainers and academies

  • Students and newly qualified artists

  • Local authorities

  • Insurers and regulators

    Join the Conversation

    The Welsh licensing scheme is not just a legal update, it is a signal of where the UK PMU industry may be heading.

    Now is the time to ask:

    • What does good regulation look like?

    • How do we protect clients and students?

    • How do we ensure standards without creating unnecessary barriers?

    NABP will continue to monitor developments closely and advocate for clear, fair, and future-proof regulation that supports both safety and professional growth.

    If you are a PMU professional affected by these changes, we invite you to join the discussion and help shape what responsible regulation looks like for our industry.

    — NABP
    Raising standards. Protecting clients. Supporting artists.