Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982

14 Acupuncture

(1) A person shall not in any area in which this section is in force carry on the practice of acupuncture unless he is registered by the local authority for the area under this section.

(2) A person shall only carry on the practice of acupuncture in any area in which this section is in force in premises registered by the local authority for the area under this section ; but a person who is registered under this section does not contravene this subsection merely because he sometimes visits people to give them treatment at their request.

(3) Subject to section 16(8) (b) below, on application for registration under this section a local authority shall register the applicant and the premises where he desires to practise and shall issue to the applicant a certificate of registration.

(4) An application for registration under this section shall be accompanied by such particulars as the local authority may reasonably require.

(5) The particulars that the local authority may require include, without prejudice to the generality of subsection (4) above.—

(a) particulars as to the premises where the applicant desires to practise; and

(b) particulars of any conviction of the applicant under section 16 below,

but do not include information about individual people to whom the applicant has given treatment.

(6) A local authority may charge such reasonable fees as they may determine for registration under this section.

(7) A local authority may make byelaws for the purpose of securing—

(a) the cleanliness of premises registered under this section and fittings in such premises ;

(b) the cleanliness of persons so registered and persons assisting persons so registered in their practice ;

(c) the cleansing and, so far as is appropriate, the sterilisation of instruments, materials and equipment used in connection with the practice of acupuncture.

(8) Nothing in this section shall extend to the practice of acupuncture by or under the supervision of a person who is registered as a medical practitioner or a dentist or to premises on which the practice of acupuncture is carried on by or under the supervision of such a person.