Public display FAQs
Frequently asked questions about public display.
Does the HT Act provide a definition of ‘public display’?
Please see guidance on public display for a definition.
Will museums be licensed by the HTA?
This depends on what the museum is displaying. The licensable activities for public display are the use, for the purpose of public display of:
- the body of a deceased person, or
- relevant material which has come from the body of a deceased person.
You will need to apply for a licence for the display of human remains or tissue if your collection holds material from a person who died less than 100 years ago from the commencement of licensing, that is after 1 September 1906.
All material collected after 1 September 2006 will require full consent for its use in public display. The requirement for consent is not however retrospective and won’t apply to existing holdings; however you will still need to apply for a licence to display this material if it is less than 100 years old.
How should consent be recorded / documented?
Please see Code of Practice 1 Consent and guidance on public display.
Do I need a licence if I store organs and other tissues from the deceased for educational / training purposes?
Yes, you need a licence to store for use for education and training.
Would the HTA license exhibitions of plastinated bodies or body parts?
Yes - the organisers would need to apply for an HTA licence. Licensing would require compliance with our Code of Practice 1 Consent and guidance on public display. Licensing applicants must complete a Compliance Report which contains standards that must be met (three standards specifically relate to requirements about consent). Therefore when issuing licences, consent procedures (in accordance with the HT Act) will be taken into account.
Would the HTA’s regulatory regime and fees inhibit small exhibitions / establishments from continuing with their normal practices?
The HT Act requires the HTA to charge reasonable fees for licence applications and to recover costs incurred in ensuring compliance, for example the costs of inspections. The fee structure reflects a variety of factors, including our duty to be proportionate in our approach, based on an assessment of risk, whilst covering the work involved in superintending compliance with the terms of licences. Further information on licence fees can be found on the fees and payment page of this website.
If I need a licence for public display of human tissue, will I need to apply for a separate licence for storage?
No, the application will cover both activities, but a licence will be issued for each purpose, as stipulated by the HT Act.
Will I be able to apply to the HTA for a licence for a temporary exhibition?
Licences will be required for short-term displays. We advise that you put adequate time into your project plan to take account of the HTA licence applications process. Please contact the HTA for further advice on this issue.
Do the Public Display provisions of the HT Act apply to Scotland?
No, the public display provisions of the Human Tissue Act 2004 do not apply to Scotland.
Scotland has separate legislation which deals with public display - Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006.
Will the import and export of material for public display be subject to licensing?
We will be producing a Code of Practice on the import and export of human tissue which will go through the process of a public consultation later this year.
What is the licensing arrangement for items in storage that may be publicly displayed?
You will need a licence to store for public display and we have included this as a separate activity within the public display compliance report. One fee will cover both activities.
What are the licensing arrangements for items stored on more than one site that may one day be publicly displayed?
The HTA has designed a satellite licensing system so that if a main site has smaller storage sites at a different geographical location and are working under the same governance arrangements, then the DI at the main site can apply for licences for these satellites. Each individual example would have to be assessed on a case by case basis when we evaluate the information you provide to us on our compliance report.
How should an organisation treat existing holdings where the age is unknown?
In this situation you should make a professional judgment. However, if you are uncertain whether material is over 100 years old, you should apply for a licence.