New Aesthetic Regulations in the UK – What Is Changing and What Qualifications Will Be Required?
The UK aesthetics industry is undergoing one of the most significant reforms in its history. The introduction of a licensing system for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in England, based on the Health and Care Act 2022, aims to increase patient safety and bring order to the market.
In this article, we outline the key changes and answer the most common question: will practitioners need qualifications, and if so, which ones?
Why Are Changes Being Introduced?
For many years, the aesthetics sector in the UK operated without a unified regulatory system. This meant that individuals without medical training were able to perform invasive procedures – such as Botox, dermal fillers, or PDO threads – often without proper training or insurance.
The lack of standards has led to numerous complications, malpractice, and unsafe practices. In response, the government has decided to introduce a mandatory licensing system for aesthetic procedures.
Source: gov.uk – government consultation
What Does the New System Include?
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Licensing for Practitioners and Premises
Every individual performing invasive cosmetic procedures will need to hold a licence issued by local authorities. Premises where treatments are carried out will also need to be licensed. -
Classification of Treatments by Risk
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High-risk treatments (e.g., liquid BBL, breast augmentation) – will only be permitted to be performed by suitably qualified healthcare professionals in clinics registered with the CQC (Care Quality Commission).
Source: The Guardian – crackdown on unsafe cosmetic treatments -
Lower-risk treatments (e.g., Botox, dermal fillers) – will also require licensing, with proof of training, qualifications, and insurance.
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Requirement to Demonstrate Competence
In its official consultation response, the government made it clear:“All those who practise invasive non-surgical procedures should be competent and will need to satisfy the overseeing authorities of their proficiency.”
Source: gov.uk – consultation response 2025
What Qualifications Will Be Required?
Although the government has not yet published an official list of recognised qualifications, the direction is clear:
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Practitioners will be required to hold recognised training and certifications aligned with national standards.
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Qualifications are likely to be linked to the RQF (Regulated Qualification Framework) – for example, Level 4, Level 5, and Level 7 for different levels of risk.
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Previous professional experience may also be taken into account during the licensing process.
Source: UK Parliament – analysis of qualifications
Additionally, the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP) has emphasised in its consultation response that practitioners will be required to demonstrate compliance with competency standards and provide proof of both qualifications and insurance.
Source: JCCP – consultation response
What Does This Mean in Practice?
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For patients: safer treatments and assurance that procedures are carried out by competent professionals.
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For practitioners: the need to document qualifications and training.
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For clinics: premises must meet hygiene and organisational standards, and a licence will be mandatory.
Conclusion
The new regulations are set to transform the UK aesthetics industry. While the full list of required qualifications for licensing has not yet been announced, one thing is certain – competence and training will become the cornerstone of the new system.
For practitioners and clinics, this means now is the right time to invest in recognised qualifications to ensure compliance with future licensing requirements.
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