Personal service establishments
Inspection and assessment of personal service establishments, including estheticians, tattoo artists and hair stylists.
A personal service establishment (PSE) is an establishment in which a person provides a service to or on the body of another person, such as tattooing, piercing, tanning beds, and esthetic services
Environmental health officers (EHOs) conduct inspections at personal service establishments under the Regulated Activities Regulation and work with facility operators to guide approval processes, prevent health hazards, and reduce the risk of transmitting communicable diseases.
Opening a personal service establishment or a personal service at a temporary event
Operators are responsible for ensuring they comply with legislation, health authority policies, and municipal by-laws and obtaining all licences and/or approvals required to operate.
- Submit a non-permitted application form and additional supporting documentation to a local environmental health office.
- If you are offering a personal service at a temporary event or tradeshow, you must submit an application for personal services for an event form.
Environmental health offices
Guidelines and resources
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Public Health Act
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Ministry of Health Personal Services Establishment
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Guideline for Personal Service Establishments
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Guidelines for Body Modification
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Guidelines for Floatation Tanks
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Laser Hair Removal Devices: Safety Guidelines for Owners/Operators
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Best Practice Guidelines for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization of Critical and Semi-Critical Medical Devices
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Guidelines for Microblading Services
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Tattoo and Piercing Safety
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Information for Tanning Salon Operators (Indoor Tanning)
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Body Piercing
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Ear Piercing
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Face Painting
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Facials and Make-up Application
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Footbaths
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Hair salons and Barbershops
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Manicures, Pedicures and Nail Treatments
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Sterilization
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Tattooing and Micropigmentation
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Waxing
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Inspection reports
Environmental health officers conduct routine inspections of personal service establishments, as well as respond to public complaints.
Want to report a complaint?
Please use our feedback form to share your concerns about a facility and would like to make a report.
Some medical procedures, such as injections and wart removal, must be conducted by a regulated health professional. Professions that fall under the Health Professions Act and that are regulated under a professional association are not inspected by Vancouver Coastal Health. Some examples include registered acupuncturist, physiotherapists and registered massage therapists. See the Ministry of Health for more information on professional regulation.