Personal Services

Personal service procedures include, but are not limited to, services in the chart below.

Determine the level of health risk for the services you offer using the chart. Follow the approval process for the highest risk service you offer. If you do not see the service you will be providing please contact your local Environmental Public Health office for more information.

Note - If you offer multiple services, follow the process for the highest risk service you offer.

Higher Risk Services

• Body modification (e.g. branding, scarification)
• Body piercing
• Ear/nose piercing (excludes ear lobe piercing operations using pre-packaged, pre-sterilized jewelry in single use cartridges. Inspection is not required for these)
• Electrolysis
• Micro pigmentation / Micro blading
• Shaving using non disposable blades and handle/cradle
• Tattooing

Moderate Risk Services

• Colonic irrigation
• Cosmetic laser services (Class 3b & 4 laser) (excludes services provided by a Health Professional regulated under the Health Professions Act).
• Floatation tank
• Manicure
• Pedicure
• Shaving (if using reusable razor handle/cradle with disposable blades)
• Tanning (indoor)

Lower Risk Services

• Aromatherapy
• Esthetics without dermal penetration (skin & body therapy)
• Face/body painting
• Hair/barber services
• Makeup (non-permanent)
• Massage (excluding RMT)
• Mud/steam bath
• Teeth whitening (excluding dentist)
• Waxing, lash and brow tinting
• Shaving (if only using disposable razors/blades/handles)
• Ear piercing (lobe only) using pre-packaged, pre-sterilized jewellery with a cartridge applicator

Moderate and Higher Risk Services process

Review the Guideline for Personal Service Establishments. Complete the Personal Services Information for Health Approval form and submit it along with a floor plan to your local Environmental Public Health office. Be sure to contact your local government to check for local municipal bylaws.

Submit:

• Personal Services Information for Health Approval form 
• A set of floor plans and equipment specifications. 
• Procedures describing cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing practices.

Note: Activities regulated under the Health Professions Act, such as those given by a Registered Acupuncturist, Registered Massage Therapist and Registered Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners are exempt from the application process as these services are performed by a member of a college of professional association. A more detailed description of restricted activities is available at the Ministry of Health's Professional Regulation website.

Lower Risk Services process

Review the Guideline for Personal Service Establishments. Complete the lower risk declaration form and submit it to your local Environmental Public Health office for review by an Environmental Health Officer. Be sure to contact your local government to check for local municipal bylaws.