Information on how to make an application for a personal licence
Why apply for a personal licence?
A premises licence allows a building to be used for the sale of alcohol, but a personal licence gives an individual the authority to supervise or authorise those sales. Any premises that sells alcohol must have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), and the DPS must hold a personal licence.
A personal licence is entirely separate from the premises licence. This means the licence holder can move between different premises, offering greater flexibility for employers and employees. It also increases the number of Temporary Event Notices (TENs) you can give each year: personal licence holders may give up to 50 TENs annually, while non‑personal licence holders are limited to five.
Applications must be made to the council for the area in which the applicant normally lives. If the applicant lives outside England or Wales, they may apply to any council.
Who can apply?
Any individual, whether or not they are currently employed or have business interests associated with the use of a premises licence providing they meet the following requirements:
- must be aged 18 or over;
- have the right to work in the UK;
- possesses a licensing qualification accredited by the Secretary of State;
- you must not have had a personal licence forfeited in the last five years, and either the police have not objected to your application, or—if they have—the licensing authority has decided it is not necessary to refuse it on crime prevention grounds; and
- the applicant has paid the appropriate fee of £37.00
How do I apply & what do I need?
You can apply online on our Personal Licence page.
- To be ordinarily resident in the council’s area at the time of application (If you live outside England or Wales, you may apply to any licensing authority.);
- A completed Personal Licence application form;
- A completed disclosure of convictions and declaration form, confirming you have not been convicted of any relevant or foreign offences;
- Two passport sized photographs, one of which must be endorsed as a true likeness;
- The application fee of £37
- A Basic Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), dated within one calendar month of receipt of the application. The current fee is £21.50.
- An accredited licensing qualification from an approved training provider, unless an exemption applies. An up to date list of accredited courses can be found on the GOV.UK website.