Personal Services

Personal service establishments (PSEs) are facilities where a person provides a service to, or on, the body of another person, such as tattooing, piercing, tanning beds and esthetic services.

Our Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) conduct inspections at personal service establishments and work with facility operators to guide approval processes, prevent health hazards and reduce the risk of transmitting communicable disease.

The B.C. Ministry of Health has developed Guidelines for Personal Service Establishments to help PSE operators prevent health hazards that may endanger or transmit infection to their clients or themselves.

To apply for approval, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Review the information in Health Approval for PSEs. This guide will help you determine what documentation you need to provide with your PSE Application Form.

Step 2: Submit completed forms and documents to your local Environmental Public Health & Licensing office.

Be sure to submit the following items with the personal service establishment application form (it is preferred to attach ALL documents as PDF [not screen shots] to ONE email and submit):

• Floor plan for the PSE
• List of services provided and instruments/equipment used
• Infection control plan
• Operator’s training and certification (Recommended)

Missing information could result in a delay processing your application.

If you have questions about the application process please contact your local Environmental Public Health & Licensing office.

• IH Health Approval for PSEs
• IH PSE Application Form - fillable
• Ministry of Health Personal Service Establishments
• Guideline for Personal Service Establishments
• Guideline for Body Modification
• Laser Hair Removal Devices: Safety Guidelines for Owners/Operators
• Guidelines for Floatation Tanks
• Guidelines for Personal Services offered at Tradeshows
• Best Practice Guidelines for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization of Critical and Semi-critical Medical Devices
• Guidelines for Microblading Services
• Tattoo and Piercing Safety
• Information for Tanning Salon Operators (Indoor Tanning)

If you have a health and safety concern or complaint about a personal service establishment, please contact your local Environmental Public Health & Licensing office.