Everything you need to know before you apply for an alcohol licence in England and Wales: who's eligible, what it costs, and how long it takes.
The Personal Licence allows holders to authorise the sale of alcohol at licensed premises. The Personal Licence is typically for those who work in the hospitality industry, like bar staff and event managers.
We make getting your personal licence a simple, stress-free process ✅
The Personal Licence is commonly referred to as APLH or Personal Licence and is issued by the local council and ensures that holders have the necessary skills and qualifications to operate legally, while also maintaining a safe environment for their customers, employees and coworkers.
Do I need an Personal Licence?
You will need a Personal Licence if you are authorising the sale of alcohol.
As per the 2003 Licensing Act, it is a legal requirement for premises that serve alcohol, also known as licensed premises, to have a named Personal Licence holder.
If you are based in Scotland you will need to apply for a Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holder (SCPLH).
Personal Licence Mock Exam
Prepare for your APLH Personal Licence Exam by completing this mock test. Learn all you can from the training video below, then follow the test link underneath it. Good luck!
To be eligible for a Personal Licence, you must have:
✅ You must be 18 years of age,
✅ Have the right to work in the UK and have
✅ Passed the APLH Course.
You also must not have forfeited a Personal Licence in the previous 5 years or have been convicted of any relevant offences.
Here are the steps for getting your Personal Licence:
✅ Pass the APLH Course
The Level 2 APLH course is one day course and is assessed by a multiple-choice exam. Click here to book your course
✅ Complete DBS Check
You will need a recent Disclosure and Barring Service check as part of your application. It costs £25 for a basic check.
For further information, click here
✅ Complete Application
You can complete and download the application using our online Personal Licence Application Wizard.
To send the application, you will need:
✅ Original qualification certificate
✅ Recent DBS check
✅ 2 countersigned photographs
✅ Pay £37 fee
✅ Disclosure of convictions form (if applicable)
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To apply for your Personal Licence, you will need the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders qualification.
You can obtain this by completing the APLH Training Course, which takes 6 hours. Some of the units include:
✅ Unauthorised licensable activities
✅ Police powers and rights of entry
✅ Legal and social responsibilities of the personal licence holder
✅ Illegal drugs, the effects of alcohol and disorderly conduct
The APLH Training Course is assessed by a multiple choice exam which contains 40 multiple-choice questions. When you pass, you will you will receive a certificate. Keep this safe, as it is part of your application.
Your Personal Licence Application costs £37, which is payable to your local council. You may also incur extra costs (around £25) when obtaining your basic DBS Check. Your Personal Licence does not have an expiry date.
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The application for a Personal Licence costs £37, this is non-refundable once paid. This is paid directly to your local council. You may also need to pay £25 for a DBS Check if your haven't already got one that is recent.
Your APLH Licence has no expiry date and is valid indefinitely. This is as long as it is not forfeited or revoked.
To be eligible for a personal licence you will need to pass an APLH course, be at least 18 years old and have the right to live and work in the UK. You will also need to have not forfeited a personal licence in the previous 5 years.
The APLH Course introduces you to the fundamentals of working in the industry. It runs over 1 day and is a requirement for obtaining your personal licence. You will need to pass a multiple choice exam to obtain the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders qualification.
A designated premises supervisor has the day-to-day responsibility for the running of a business and is responsible for the authorisation of all alcohol sales. It is a legal requirement that licensed premises have a Designated Premises Supervisor.
Yes, you can. A premises only needs one personal licence holder to authorise the sale of alcohol. Just working behind a bar doesn’t need a personal licence.
Having a criminal record does not rule you out from applying for an Personal Licence. The licensing authority will make a decision on whether your conviction is relevant to your licence application.
If convicted of a relevant offence a court may order a personal licence to be cancelled, also know as it being forfeited. Courts can also order a personal licence to be suspended for up to six months.
Most identity checks can be completed online. You will also need to have your supplied passport photos signed by a solicitor or notary, a person of standing in the community or any individual with a professional qualification.
Everything you need to get your Personal Licence.
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