Personal Licence Application (PLA)
You may not be aware, but after passing your personal licence qualification, you are required to apply to become a personal licence holder. A personal licence is issued to an individual, allowing them to authorise alcohol sales at licensing premises/venues. It's a legal requirement for anyone acting as a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) in England and Wales, or Designated Premises Manager (DPM) in Scotland, and is recommended for individuals in a supervisory or management role on within licensed premises. Without a personal licence holder, a premises cannot legally sell alcohol.
We offer this as an additional service, which completes the full process after your successful completion of the APLH or SCPLH qualification with us.
Personal Licence Application (PLA)
£140
About our Personal Licence Application
Gain the legal authorisation to sell, or supervise the sale of alcohol on licensed premises.
Outcomes
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You will be a personal licence holder
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Fulfil the legal requirement to act as a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)
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Legally authorise and supervise alcohol sales on licensed premises
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Demonstrate compliance with UK licensing law
Who's this suitable for?
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Managers, assistant managers and supervisors working in pubs, clubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, convenience stores or supermarkets
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Anyone whose role involves authorising or overseeing alcohol sales to the public
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Individuals must be aged 18 or over, hold a recognised qualification (APLH or SCPLH), and have no unspent relevant criminal convictions
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Anyone wishing to act as a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) or Designated Premises Manager (DPM) on a premises licence
Why Us?
- Applying for a personal licence can a longwinded and stressful process, we take this away from you
- We have links with every council in the UK, therefore processing times can be quicker
- We retain your qualification certificate following your exam which also saves time
- We apply for your DBS check on your behalf (where required) rather than you having to do this
- We check your application so this is processed first time with no delays
See our alcohol licensing training courses
Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH)
Learn the essentials of the Licensing Act 2003 to responsibly sell alcohol and obtain your personal licence.
Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH)
Learn key aspects of managing licensed premises and complying with Scotland's licensing laws with this essential certification course.
Why choose CPL Learning?
We’re known for our first-rate service in helping people quickly gain the knowledge they need, all for an affordable price.
Life a little busy? We get it, and that’s why our elearning courses are all accessible 24/7, 365 days a year, meaning you can learn at your own pace, when you have the time. Our courses are all available on desktop and mobile too – so you can even learn on the go. And with accessibility tools like in-situ language translation and open subtitles, our courses are designed with you in mind.
We’re with you right from the start of your learning journey, providing you with all the information you need in an easily digestible format. Our content is regularly reviewed by experts to make sure it's always relevant and accurate. Plus, additional resources are provided in fully accessible PDF formats.
Get in touch today to start your journey!
FAQs about PLA
What qualifications do I need before applying?
You must hold either the APLH (Award for Personal Licence Holders) or the SCPLH (Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders). These are nationally recognised qualifications that demonstrate your knowledge of licensing law and the responsible sale of alcohol. The exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions, and you must answer at least 28 correctly to pass. CPL offers both courses — if you haven't yet sat your exam, you can book directly through us.
What documents do I need to provide?
To process your application, you will need to provide:
- Your original APLH or SCPLH qualification certificate
- A valid form of photo ID (e.g. passport or driving licence)
- Proof of your right to work in the UK (required since 6 April 2017)
- Your DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) criminal records check - CPL arranges this on your behalf
How does CPL Learning handle my personal license application?
Once you have passed your qualification, CPL manages the entire application process for you. This includes:
- Applying for your criminal records (DBS) check on your behalf
- Completing all required application paperwork
- Submitting your application to your local council, along with your DBS certificate and qualification certificate
- Keeping you updated until your licence is granted
How long does the application process take?
The full process typically takes 4–6 weeks from start to finish. Once you've passed your qualification, CPL will arrange your DBS (criminal records check), which can take up to 10 working days. Your application is then submitted to your local council, which can take a further three weeks to process. To avoid delays, we recommend sitting your exam and arranging your DBS at the same time so everything is ready to submit together.
Does my personal licence expire?
The requirement to renew personal licences issued under the Licensing Act 2003 has been abolished with effect from 1 April 2015. Your licence is valid for life, provided you have no relevant criminal convictions.