New micropigmentation certificate 2026: what vocational training centers and professionals should know

Key data

Professionals in the personal image sector who practice micropigmentation—whether electromechanical or manual (microblading)—have had an official training framework since June 19, 2026. The Royal Decree 488/2026 establishes the Professional Certificate in Micropigmentation Procedures and Techniques, with code IMP_C_012_5B, level 3 and a duration of 510 hours. Its validity extends throughout the entire national territory.

Until now, micropigmentation lacked its own professional certificate within the Vocational Training system. This decree fills that gap and regulates both the training and the competencies required of those who practice it.

What does this regulation establish?

Royal Decree 488/2026 creates and regulates the professional micropigmentation certificate with the following key elements:

The general competency of the certificate covers four major areas:

• Electromechanical micropigmentation
• Manual micropigmentation (microblading)
• Modification of previous micropigmentations
• Management of personal image companies

Additionally, the decree modifies Royal Decree 300/2026, of April 8, which regulates the Higher Vocational Training title of Senior Technician in Design and artisanal construction of string musical instruments. This title included degrees C, B, and A, and Royal Decree 488/2026 introduces changes to its basic curriculum aspects.

Both measures are framed within the FSE+ EFESO Program 2021-2027, which means that part of their development may be co-financed with European funds.

Economic and operational impact

For training centers, this decree opens a new line of official training offerings. Teaching the IMP_C_012_5B certificate requires adapting facilities, equipment, and teaching staff to the curriculum requirements of level 3.

For active professionals, having this official certificate can mean a direct competitive advantage: accrediting regulated training to clients, insurers, or in municipal licensing processes. It may also be relevant for those who want to accredit their previous experience through competency recognition procedures.

The inclusion of dual training with a period in company means that centers will need to establish agreements with personal image sector companies for internships. This creates both an opportunity (attracting trained talent) and an operational obligation (managing collaboration agreements).

The possibility that autonomous communities adapt the curriculum to their socioeconomic reality introduces territorial variability: a center in one autonomous community may teach specific content that does not exist in another, which affects the planning of materials and staff.

Who does it affect?

• Vocational Training Centers that want to incorporate the IMP_C_012_5B certificate into their training offerings.
• Academies and private personal image centers that teach micropigmentation training and want to obtain official accreditation.
• Micropigmentation professionals (electromechanical and microblading) who wish to accredit their qualification with an official level 3 title.
• Students seeking regulated micropigmentation training with national validity.
• Personal image sector companies that participate as dual training entities.
• Autonomous Communities, which must develop their own curriculum specifications within the state framework.
• Centers that teach the Higher Vocational Training title of Technician in Design and artisanal construction of string musical instruments, affected by the modification of Royal Decree 300/2026.

Practical example

A personal image academy in Madrid that already teaches micropigmentation courses privately decides to apply for accreditation to teach the official IMP_C_012_5B certificate.

To do so, it must structure its program in 510 hours in accordance with the curriculum approved by Royal Decree 488/2026, including modules on electromechanical micropigmentation, microblading, modification of previous micropigmentations, and management of personal image companies. By including dual training, it will need to sign agreements with centers or clinics in the sector for the company period.

Once accredited, its students will obtain the level 3 certificate with validity throughout the entire national territory—not just in the Madrid Autonomous Community—which increases the value of the title for its students and differentiates it from non-accredited competitors.

If the Madrid Autonomous Community decides to incorporate its own curriculum specifications (as the decree allows), the academy must update its program to include them before starting the first official cohort.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if your center can be accredited: Check if you meet the facility, equipment, and teaching staff requirements demanded by the level 3 curriculum of the IMP_C_012_5B certificate.
2. Contact your regional education department: Autonomous Communities have the capacity to add their own curriculum specifications. Check if your community has already published or plans to publish its regional development.
3. Plan dual training agreements: The certificate includes a period in company. Identify personal image sector companies with which to establish collaboration agreements.
4. Inform active professionals: If you manage a team of micropigmentation specialists, inform them of the existence of the new official certificate and assess whether they are interested in accrediting their previous experience through competency recognition.
5. Review the impact on the string musical instruments vocational training title: If your center teaches the title regulated by Royal Decree 300/2026, review the changes introduced by this decree to its basic curriculum aspects.
6. Follow the development of the FSE+ EFESO Program 2021-2027: As it is framed within this European program, there may be funding calls linked to the implementation of this certificate.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Disclaimer: This article is purely informational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-13294