Do You Need a Licence to Groom Dogs? UK Rules by Nation

Do you need a licence to groom dogs in the UK?

No. As of 1 October 2026, dog grooming is not a licensable activity in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, and no nation requires a groomer to hold a qualification. There is no public register of groomers. Scotland consulted on licensing groomers in 2023 and Wales has named grooming for a later phase, but neither has introduced it. Other law does apply: animal welfare, insurance for employers, planning and business rates for premises, and the limit on dental work set by the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

Is dog grooming licensable in England?

No. The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 license five activities: selling animals as pets; providing or arranging boarding for dogs, including kennels, home boarding and day care; hiring out horses; breeding dogs; and keeping or training animals for exhibition. Grooming is not among them. If you also board dogs overnight or run day care, that part of the business needs a council licence. The government's Animal Welfare Strategy for England (22 December 2025) proposes licensing changes for dog breeders and rescue organisations, and does not mention grooming.

Is dog grooming licensable in Scotland?

Grooming is not licensed. The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 cover selling pets, rehoming, animal welfare establishments, and breeding dogs and rabbits, among others; no amendment adding grooming has been made. The Scottish Government consulted from 4 July to 26 September 2023 on licensing dog groomers, with council inspection of salons and vans and public registers; 82.2% of respondents supported it. In August 2024 it chose to license canine fertility businesses first, and the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission's activity report of November 2025 records that grooming has no date. Boarding in Scotland, including home boarding, is licensed by councils under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.

Is dog grooming licensable in Wales?

Grooming is not licensed. The Welsh Government's response of 24 June 2025 prioritises regulating rescues, sanctuaries and rehoming centres. Its Animal Welfare Plan progress report of 20 March 2026 says pet grooming "will be considered in the next stage", describing it as currently unregulated with more than 500 pet grooming businesses estimated in Wales. No timetable is given. Boarding and day care in Wales are licensed by councils under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.

Is dog grooming licensable in Northern Ireland?

Grooming is not licensed, and no scheme is proposed. DAERA's consultation on animal welfare reforms (5 May to 30 June 2026) covers rescue and rehoming organisations, dog licence fees, aversive training devices and microchipping, not grooming. Councils license dog breeding establishments. Separately, every dog in Northern Ireland must have a dog licence (£12.50 a year): that is the owner's duty, not the groomer's.

What law does apply to every groomer?

Animal welfare law. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 (England and Wales), the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 apply to anyone responsible for an animal, including temporarily, which covers a groomer with a client's dog.

The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. Scaling teeth below the gum line and extracting teeth with instruments are acts of veterinary surgery; only a vet may do them. Tooth brushing is lawful.

Employers' liability insurance, at least £5 million, as soon as you employ anyone in England, Scotland or Wales.

Planning, business rates and business waste if you groom from premises or home.