Published May 2026; reviewed 10 July 2026.
The Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 12 May 2026, making Scotland the first UK nation with a statute directly restricting who may perform cosmetic procedures.
The two-tier structure
- Lower-risk procedures (including microneedling, certain peels and laser treatments) need a local-authority licence under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act framework, with licences due from 6 September 2027 under an accompanying 2026 Order, and transitional cover for early applicants.
- Everything else in scope (including dermal fillers and stronger peels) will be restricted to healthcare professionals operating from Healthcare Improvement Scotland-registered premises.
The Act also bans in-scope procedures for under-18s and gives ministers powers to set training and qualification requirements, powers likely to define the practical entry standard for Scottish practice.
Implications
Independent non-medic injecting in Scotland effectively ends when the relevant provisions commence. Scottish practitioners and anyone planning to practise across the border should build HIS-compatible governance now; our Scotland-specific guidance is included in the licensing tracker guide.