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PERSONAL LICENCE (APLH)
The Personal Licence, issued by local councils, allows holders to authorise the sale of alcohol in England and Wales. Every licensed premises needs one behind it, and once you have yours, it never expires.
1-day APLH course
Free mock exams
EasyApply: 100% money back
What is the Personal Licence?
The Personal Licence allows holders to authorise the sale of alcohol at licensed premises. It's the qualification behind every bar manager, event manager and supervisor the trade trusts to run things properly, and it's issued by your local council once you've passed the APLH course.
The licence applies in England and Wales. In Scotland the equivalent is the SCPLH (Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders), a separate qualification. And unlike SIA licences, the Personal Licence has no expiry date: you get it once and keep it.
How to apply for your Personal Licence, in 3 steps
Choose a package that suits your needs best
Whether you're confident or need full support, there's a package for you.
for confident learners
Essential training only
£130.99
- £80 charged for each additional exam attempt
- £90 fee to change your exam date
- No refund if you don't pass
- No access to Drug Awareness training (£90 value)
choose Flexi+
Unlimited retakes and risk free
£251.99
From training to licence
All-inclusive licence package
£365.99
EasyApply Pack:
We apply for your licence, covering licence and DBS fees (worth £149.99), with 24/7 support and a full refund if it’s not approved
All online - Laptop/PC required
90 mins exam from 9:30am to 11am
What to have ready before you apply
Four things, and your application sails through first time.
If you have any convictions to declare, include the disclosure of convictions form with your application.
Set yourself up right
- Your original APLH certificate. The council wants the original, not a copy. Keep it safe from the day you pass.
- A fresh basic DBS check. Time it so it's dated within one calendar month of your application reaching the council.
-
Two photographs. One signed on the back by a person of standing to confirm it's you.
Watch our video guide on signing photos.
- The £37 fee. Paid to your local council with your application.
Do you need a Personal Licence to sell alcohol?
You need a Personal Licence if you are authorising the sale of alcohol. Under the Licensing Act 2003, every premises that sells alcohol must have a named personal licence holder, the Designated Premises Supervisor, and every sale must be made or authorised by a licence holder.
Who can get a Personal Licence? Most people can
The Personal Licence requirements exist for a reason: you'll be trusted to sell alcohol responsibly, so the council checks that every holder is ready for it. Most people meet them.
The course takes a day, and a past conviction doesn't automatically rule you out. It depends on whether the offence is a relevant one under the Licensing Act.
You'll need to:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Pass the APLH Course
- Not have forfeited a Personal Licence in the previous 5 years
- Declare any unspent relevant convictions
How long until your Personal Licence arrives?
Your application is handled by your local council, and speed varies a little between them, but around 3 weeks is typical from application to licence in hand.
The DBS check is usually the slowest piece, so ordering it as soon as you've passed the course keeps the whole process moving.
How much does the Personal Licence cost?
The Personal Licence application costs £37, payable to your local council. You'll also need a basic DBS check at £21.50, so budget £58.50 in fees on top of your APLH Course (from £99.99).
Because the licence has no expiry date, there's nothing to pay again. No renewal fees, no refresher courses. You pay once and it's yours.
Sounds like too much paperwork? Use EasyApply
Let us do all the work and make sure your application is successful. EasyApply covers everything: we process your DBS check, handle the council paperwork and pay the licence fee, with a dedicated licence expert on your case throughout.
100% money back if your licence gets refused. No licence, no fees.
Included free in our Premium Package. Choose Premium and we handle your licence application for you.
Apply with EasyApplyInside the 1-day APLH Course
To apply for your Personal Licence, you need the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders. You get it by completing the APLH Training Course: around 6 hours of training, 100% online and self-paced, finishing with exam preparation so you walk into the test ready. The lessons:
Licensing Objectives
Personal Licences
Premises Licences
Designated Premises Supervisor
Temporary Event Notices
The Protection of Children
Legal Rights and Duties
Prohibitions and Exemptions
Powers and Enforcement
Unauthorised Licensable Activities
Retailing Responsibilities
Exam Preparation
Try the exam before you sit it
The APLH Course is assessed by a 40 question multiple choice exam. The best way to walk in confident is to know exactly what's coming, so take our free mock exam first, as many times as you like.
Take the free mock exam
Real stories from real people
Trustpilot
This was such a helpful easy to follow way to gain my personal licence
I have just done my Personal Licence. It was so easy from start to finish. Get Licensed did everything including my DBS and dealing with my local Council. Once I took the exam which was multi choice. I just sat back and waited for my Personal Licence to come by post to me from my local Council. Salman Saeed was brilliant. Always replying to me, if I had a question. He followed my Personal Licence all the way until I received it in the post. Thank you very much and would definitely recommend 'Get Licensed'
I am delighted to let you know that I have successfully passed the exam. Your clear explanations and patience in answering all my questions were instrumental in helping me understand the licensing laws and my responsibilities. Thank you once again for your professional help. I feel much more confident moving forward in my career.
I have just got my exam results for my APLH, and I passed. I found the whole training experience second to none, the initial phone call, videos, training video, sample questions and mock exams were all excellent: Clear and informative. I have signed up for "Get Licensed" to apply for my Personal licence, if that is handled as professionally as the rest of the course it will be a breeze. Thank you for your training.
The exam was super easy after my training session with Olu. The APLH app was very helpful and the Ranna with setting up on proctor. Highly recommend this service. Thank you.
I recently completed my APLH course and was really impressed with the quality of the training. The material was clear, practical, and well-structured, making it easy to understand the licensing laws and responsibilities. The trainer was knowledgeable, supportive, and explained everything in a way that related to real-life situations. The booking process was smooth, the exam was straightforward, and I received my results quickly. I’d definitely recommend this course to anyone looking to apply for a personal licence.
A well structured video based e-learning for personal licence, with a good pace to each lesson and a simple knowledge check after watching. Two mock exams and an easy to follow registration and system check prior to the exam made the experience very straightforward. Easy exam process too, and results within a day or two with an accredited certificate to apply for a personal licence. Would happily recommend.
I had a fantastic experience with the APLH course! Olu Olusola, the Trainee Instructor, was incredibly knowledgeable and made the content easy to understand. The course was well-structured, and Olu’s teaching style kept everything engaging and informative. I feel confident moving forward with the skills I’ve gained. Highly recommend this course to anyone!
Really happy with the team who helped me with the process of completing my personal licence. Highly recommended :)
APLH offered a great experience and was very well organised from start to finish, with great clear communication and instructions. Olu Olusola the trainer went through all the material clearly. Rana Faizaan coordinated everything perfectly.
Excellent service from start to finish. Salman Saeed was professional, responsive, and very helpful throughout my Personal Licence application process. Everything was handled smoothly and clearly explained, which made the whole experience stress-free. I really appreciate the support and would highly recommend Get Licensed to anyone applying for their licence. Thank you again for your great service!
100% recommended course for APLH. Very professional staff. Olu Olusola was very knowledgeable and helpful tutor.
Amazing team and extremly easy to complete my APLH level 2 exam. Mr Olu was very helpful and guided us through the entire process.
Very informative and well-structured training. The APLH Level 2 course covered all key licensing topics clearly and practically. The content was easy to follow and highly relevant to working in retail and licensed premises. I feel confident and well prepared after completing the course. Would definitely recommend.
I did my APLH course with Olu, he was great throughout the training, with everything he covered being in the exam at the end of the day. Rana the course coordinator was very thorough with making sure everyone was checked in and ready for the exam, and if they had issues he kept them back in the call to try and fix their issues. Thankfully I didn't need to experience that and went into the exam well prepared.
Not sure where to start?
We'll clear it up!
The licence is particularly relevant to bar managers, pub managers, restaurant managers, event managers and Designated Premises Supervisors. To gain the qualification, start with the Personal Licence APLH course.
Not every member of bar staff needs a licence, but holding your own licence can help you progress into bar supervisor and management roles. The APLH course is the qualification route used for the application.
- Pass the APLH course and receive your qualification certificate.
- Obtain a basic DBS check, timed so it is within the required validity period when the council receives your application.
- Apply to your local council with the original certificate, DBS check, photographs and the council application fee.
If you prefer help with the paperwork, the EasyApply service can support the DBS and council application process. You can also read the Personal Licence application guide and the APLH course details before choosing a package.
Check your local council's current form and requirements before sending the application. The council's current application guidance provides the practical checklist, and EasyApply can help if you do not want to manage the paperwork yourself.
Because the licence has no expiry date, there are no routine renewal or refresher fees. If you choose EasyApply, the package price may include the application support and associated costs, so check the package details before booking.
The DBS check is often the part that causes delays, so order it at the right time and make sure the documents are complete. The APLH course can provide the qualification before you start the council application.
This is different from a front-line SIA licence, which lasts three years. If you are considering work in private security as well as hospitality, see the guide to getting an SIA licence.
Be accurate and honest in your application. If you are unsure what your record may mean for an application, seek current guidance before paying the fee, and consider completing the APLH course first so you understand the responsibilities involved.
Licence App
Everything you need to get your Personal Licence.
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