If you want to sell or authorise the sale of alcohol in England or Wales, you need a personal licence. The process is more straightforward than most people expect: one qualification, one criminal record check, and one application to your local council. This guide walks through every step, what it costs, and how long it takes.
What is a personal licence?
Under the Licensing Act 2003, every sale of alcohol at a licensed premises must be made or authorised by a personal licence holder. Pubs, bars, restaurants, shops, hotels and clubs all need at least one — and every premises licence that authorises alcohol sales must name a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), who must hold a personal licence.
The licence is granted to you as an individual, not to a venue. It moves with you between jobs, works anywhere in England and Wales, and since 2015 it no longer expires. Scotland has a separate system — see the note at the end of this guide.
Who can apply?
- You must be aged 18 or over.
- You must hold an accredited licensing qualification — the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH).
- You must have the right to work in the UK.
- You must not have forfeited a personal licence in the last five years.
- Unspent relevant criminal convictions don’t automatically disqualify you, but the police can object — declare them honestly on the application.
Step 1: Pass the APLH Level 2 qualification
The Award for Personal Licence Holders is a short Level 2 qualification covering the licensing objectives, the law around alcohol sales, and your responsibilities as a licence holder. Most people complete it in a day.
You can now do the whole thing online — the course, the revision and the exam itself. Our online APLH course includes the full training material, mock exams and a remotely invigilated exam you can sit seven days a week. The exam is 40 multiple-choice questions with a pass mark of 28 (70%), and you get your result quickly rather than waiting weeks for a classroom provider to post certificates.
Step 2: Get a basic DBS check
Your council needs proof that you don’t have unspent relevant convictions. That means a basic disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), and it must be no more than one calendar month old when you submit your application — so do this after you’ve booked your course, not months in advance.
You can apply directly on GOV.UK for around £20, or we can handle it as part of your application package. Alongside the DBS certificate, you’ll also sign a disclosure of convictions declaration form for the council.
Step 3: Prepare your documents
- Your APLH certificate (the original, or as the council specifies).
- Your basic DBS certificate, less than one month old.
- Two passport-style photos, one countersigned on the back by a solicitor, notary, or a person of standing in the community who can confirm your identity.
- The completed personal licence application form and disclosure of convictions form.
- The application fee — £37, set nationally.
Step 4: Apply to your local council
You apply to the licensing authority for the area where you live — not where you work. If you live in Manchester and manage a bar in Leeds, your application goes to Manchester City Council.
Most councils accept postal applications and many now take them online. If your forms are complete and your DBS is clean, the council grants the licence without a hearing. If you declared relevant convictions, the police have 14 days to object, and the council may hold a hearing to decide.
How long does it take?
Realistically, two to four weeks end to end:
- Course and exam: as fast as you like — many candidates study and pass within a week of enrolling online.
- DBS basic check: usually 2–5 working days online.
- Council processing: typically 1–3 weeks for a clean application; longer if the police are consulted.
What does it cost?
- APLH Level 2 course and exam: from around £100 online.
- Basic DBS check: around £20.
- Council application fee: £37.
- Photos and countersigning: usually under £15.
Budget roughly £160–£180 all in. Beware of providers quoting a low headline course price and adding compulsory “admin” or certificate fees at checkout.
After you’re licensed
- No renewal. Personal licences granted in England and Wales no longer expire.
- Keep your details current. You must tell your issuing council if you change your name or address (small statutory fee).
- Becoming a DPS. If you’ll be the Designated Premises Supervisor, the premises licence holder submits a consent form naming you. Our DPS course covers the role in depth.
- Opening or taking over a venue? You’ll also need a premises licence — we offer a full premises licence application service.
A note on Scotland
Scotland runs its own scheme under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. You’ll need the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) instead of the APLH, you apply to your local Licensing Board, and — unlike England and Wales — Scottish licences require refresher training every five years, with strict deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a personal licence to work behind a bar?
No. Bar staff can serve alcohol as long as a personal licence holder has authorised the sales. But holding one makes you far more employable, and any venue needs at least a DPS who holds one.
Can I take the personal licence course entirely online?
Yes. Accredited providers can deliver both the APLH training and the exam online with remote invigilation. You’ll need photo ID and a device with a camera.
What happens if I fail the exam?
You can resit — there’s no limit on attempts and no waiting period. With mock exams and a 70% pass mark, most well-prepared candidates pass first time.
I have a criminal conviction. Can I still get a licence?
Often, yes. Only unspent, relevant convictions (mainly dishonesty, violence and alcohol/drug offences) trigger a police review, and even then the council weighs each case. Spent convictions don’t need to be declared.
Ready to start? Enrol on the Level 2 APLH course today and you could have your exam passed this week — or talk to our licensing team if you’d like the whole application handled for you.
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