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Personal Licence

You are not required to have a personal licence to be employed in a pub or other business that sells alcohol. Premises licensed to sell alcohol must have a designated premises supervisor, who holds a personal licence.  Anyone who does not hold a personal licence must be authorised to sell alcohol by a personal licence holder. 

Apply for a Personal Licence

To apply for a personal licence, applicants must complete the application form. Applications are available online via GOV.UK or alternatively contact us and request an applications via licensing.section@rctcbc.gov.uk or 01443 744284

A valid application will require - :

  • the completed application form
  • 2-colour passport type photographs taken within the last month (Endorsed as a true likeness by a solicitor or notary, a person of standing in the community or any individual with a professional qualification).
  • an accredited personal licence qualification
  • a basic criminal record check, (Disclosure & Barring Service) this must be less than a month old from the date of issue.
  • the required fee of £37.00

The Secretary of State has accredited 9 personal licence qualifications under the Licensing Act 2003. They are

  • Accredited personal licence qualification providers

    The Home Secretary has accredited the following personal licence qualifications under the Licensing Act 2003, commencing on 1 December 2017:

    BIIAB (QCF Recognition number RN5118)

    BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders

    Qualification number: 603/2468/5

    Qualification approval/designation number: C00/1212/8

    BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (QCF)

    Qualification number: 501/1494/3

    CIEH (QFC Recognition number RN5238)

    CIEH Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (QCF)

    Qualification number: 601/2104/X

    HABC (QCF Recognition number RN5219)

    Highfield Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (RQF)

    Qualification number: 603/2597/5

    Qualification approval/designation number: C00/1221/1

    HABC Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (QCF)

    Qualification accreditation number 500/9974/7

    IQ (QCF Recognition number:RN5330)

    IQ Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders

    Qualification number: 603/2659/1

    IQ Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (QCF)

    Qualification number: 601/4980/2

    LASER (QCF Recognition number RN5326)

    LASER Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders

    Qualification number: 603/2603/7

    Laser Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders

    Qualification accreditation number 600/6446/8

    Pearson Education Ltd (QCF Recognition number RN5133)

    Pearson BTEC Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders

    Qualification number: 603/2538/0

    Pearson BTEC Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (QCF)

    Qualification number: 601/3483/5

    QNUK (RQF Recognition number RN5133)

    QNUK Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders

    Qualification number: 603/2619/0

    QNUK Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders

    Qualification number: 603/1021/2

    • website:      QNUK
    • telephone:      020 3795 0559
    • email:      centres@qnuk.org
    • address:      Qualifications Network, First Floor Offices, 86A Lancaster Rd, Enfield,      Middlesex, EN2 0BX

    SQA (QCF Recognition number RN5167)

    SQA Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders

    Qualification number: 603/2596/3

    SQA Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (QCF)

    Qualification number: 600/1269/9

    • telephone:      0845 279 1000
    • email:      customer@sqa.org.uk
    • address:      The Optima Building, 58 Robertson Street Glasgow G2 8DQ.

    Training Qualifications UK (Recognition number: RN5355)

    TQUK Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (RQF)

    Qualification number: 603/2835/6

    TQUK Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (QCF)

    Qualification number: 601/6508/X

    Please contact these bodies directly for information on courses, costs and availability in your area.
  • Basic Disclosure Cerificate - You can apply for the certificate via any Responsible Organisation with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to submit basic checks through the web service.

A list of Responsible Organisations providing a basic check services through the DBS can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/responsible-organisations

Before a licence is granted the applicant must satisfy the Licensing Authority that they:

  • are over 18 years old
  • have not forfeited a personal licence in the previous five years beginning with the day the application was made
  • have not been convicted of any relevant offence, or foreign offence as defined in the Act

The Licensing Authority will liaise closely with the Police when an applicant is found to have an unspent conviction for a relevant offence as defined in the Licensing Act 2003. Where an applicant for a personal licence has an unspent criminal conviction for a relevant offence, the Police and Licensing Authority may wish to interview the applicant should the Police be minded to object to the grant of the licence.

Personal Licences no longer have an expiry date, however you will need to notify the Licensing Authority should you change your name or address.

You can notify us of your new details via:

E-mail: licensing.section@rctcbc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01443 744284