Do you need a licence to be a dog groomer?
Grooming itself needs no licence in England, which surprises people. Here's what genuinely applies, and the adjacent services that do tip you into licensing.
Quick answer
No — dog grooming on its own is not a licensable activity under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, so you don't need a council animal activity licence to groom dogs in England. But the moment you add day care or overnight boarding, you do. You'll still need public liability insurance, a competent standard of care under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and council sign-off if you're converting premises.
What needs a licence and what doesn't (England)
| Activity | Animal activity licence needed? |
|---|---|
| Grooming only, in a salon | No |
| Mobile or van-based grooming | No |
| Grooming in the client's home | No |
| Doggy day care | Yes |
| Overnight home boarding | Yes |
| Kennelled boarding | Yes |
| Selling puppies / breeding | Yes |
Step-by-step
- 1
Understand why grooming sits outside the licensing regime
The 2018 Regulations set out a specific list of licensable activities: boarding cats or dogs, day care, hiring out horses, breeding dogs, selling animals as pets, and keeping or training animals for exhibition. Grooming isn't on that list, so no animal activity licence applies to grooming as such. That's the legal position in England — but it's a statement about licensing, not about standards, which is where people misread it.
- 2
Know the line you must not cross accidentally
This catches out more groomers than anything else. Offering to keep a dog for the afternoon between appointments, or overnight as a favour, moves you into day care or boarding, which are licensable. That means a council inspection, a fee, a star rating and conditions. If you intend to offer either, apply properly before you start — operating unlicensed is an offence and your insurance is unlikely to respond.
- 3
Get public liability insurance before your first dog
It isn't legally mandated for grooming, but it's the single most important thing you'll buy. Grooming involves sharp tools, nervous animals and, often, someone else's home or a vehicle. Specialist groomer policies cover injury to the animal in your care, which standard public liability sometimes excludes — check that specific point rather than assuming. If you employ anyone at all, employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement.
- 4
Meet your Animal Welfare Act duty of care
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 applies to anyone responsible for an animal, licensed or not. While a dog is in your care you owe it a duty covering a suitable environment, suitable diet, the ability to exhibit normal behaviour, appropriate housing with or apart from other animals, and protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease. Practically: proper restraint, safe drying equipment with temperature control, and never leaving a dog unattended on a table.
- 5
Get qualified even though you don't have to
There's no statutory qualification requirement, which means the market decides. City & Guilds Level 2 and Level 3 grooming qualifications are the recognised route, and they matter commercially rather than legally: insurers price on them, clients ask about them, and handling anxious or elderly dogs safely is a genuine skill. Put your qualifications on your website — it's one of the few trust signals customers can check before booking.
- 6
Sort premises, waste and vehicle rules if they apply
Converting a garage or outbuilding into a salon may need planning permission or a change of use — ask your council before spending money. Grooming waste is generally ordinary commercial waste, but check with your council. If you're mobile, tell your insurer the van carries business equipment; standard motor policies typically won't cover tools or business use.
- 7
Check the rules where you actually are
The 2018 Regulations are England-only. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own animal licensing frameworks with different scopes and timelines. Councils also differ on premises and waste. One phone call to your local licensing team, before you commit to a lease or a van, is worth more than any amount of forum reading.
Tips & best practices
- ▸Grooming isn't licensable in England — day care and boarding are. Don't drift across that line informally.
- ▸Check your insurance explicitly covers injury to an animal in your care, not just third-party liability.
- ▸Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement the moment you take on any staff, including an apprentice.
- ▸No qualification is required by law, but insurers and clients both price it in. Display yours on your site.
- ▸The 2018 Regulations are England-only. Verify your position if you're in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
- ▸Verified July 2026. General information, not legal advice — confirm with your local authority.
Common questions
Do you need a licence to groom dogs in the UK?
+−
In England, no. Grooming isn't one of the licensable activities listed in the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, so no animal activity licence is required to groom. Boarding, day care, breeding and selling animals all are licensable. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run separate regimes — check locally.
Do I need a qualification to be a dog groomer?
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Not legally. There's no statutory qualification requirement in the UK. City & Guilds Level 2 and Level 3 grooming qualifications are the recognised industry route and matter commercially — insurers and clients both look for them, and handling anxious or elderly dogs safely is a real skill you don't want to learn on a customer's dog.
Do I need a licence for a mobile dog grooming van?
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No animal activity licence, because grooming isn't licensable in England regardless of where you do it. You do need to tell your motor insurer you're using the vehicle for business and carrying equipment, and you should confirm your public liability policy covers work at clients' addresses.
What insurance does a dog groomer need?
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Public liability is the essential cover, and you should confirm it includes injury to an animal in your care — some standard policies exclude it. Add care, custody and control cover if it isn't included. Employers' liability is legally required if you have any staff, and equipment cover is worth having given what grooming kit costs.
Can I board dogs as well as groom them?
+−
Only with a licence. Boarding and day care are licensable activities under the 2018 Regulations, requiring council application, inspection, a fee and a star rating. Doing it without one is an offence and would very likely invalidate your insurance. Apply before you offer it, not after.