How to apply for a Personal Licence

Licensed Premises must ensure that someone with a Personal Licence authorises every sale of alcohol. This usually means that all staff involving in the sale of alcohol, such as selling from a bar, are Personal Licence Holders.

Both individuals and premises must apply to their local council in order to become licensed.

How do you get a Personal Licence?

You will need to apply for a Personal Licence from your local council - that is the one where you live. There are a few steps but it is similar to getting a passport. You will need to do the following:

• Be 18 years or older
• Get the Level 2 Award for Personal License Holders Qualification
• Obtain and complete a Personal License application form to your local council
• Obtain a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. (This is the new version of the CRB check).
• Get two passport sized photos signed by a professional to prove your identity
• Submit the application form, your qualification certificate, your DBS check and two photos to your local council
• Pay the local council application fee, which will be around £40

I need the Personal License Holders qualification. How do I get it?

All Personal Licence Holders are required to pass the Personal License Holders qualification, sometimes called the APLH qualification.

The Digital College offers a fully online version of the course and allows candidates to sit the exam at home. On passing the exam you would receive the official Level 2 qualification, which is awarded by Highfield Qualifications, one the the UK's largest awarding bodies.

Getting the qualification is straight forward:

• Work through our online study content
• Get ready for the exam with our mock tests with a large bank of practice questions
• Take the qualification multiple-choice exam at home or in one of our local test centres
• Receive the official certificate, awarded by Highfield Qualifications, by email

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