Personal alcohol licence: cost, training and how to apply
Written by Sam Allcock · Last updated 23 August 2026 · Facts checked against GOV.UK and legislation.gov.uk on the date above
A personal licence to sell alcohol costs £37 to apply for, requires an accredited training qualification before you can apply, and - unlike most licences - never expires once it's granted.
It's issued by your local council under the Licensing Act 2003, and it's the licence held by the person who sells or authorises the sale of alcohol at a premises.
This guide walks through who actually needs a personal licence, the training you have to complete first, the criminal-record check that's part of the application, what it costs, and the genuinely unusual fact that - since a 2015 change in the law - you never have to renew it.
This is general information, not legal advice. For anything specific to your situation - including a conviction that might affect your application - contact your local council's licensing team or a licensing solicitor.
What is a personal alcohol licence?
A personal licence is the legal permission an individual holds to sell, or authorise the sale of, alcohol at premises licensed under the Licensing Act 2003.
It sits alongside, but is separate from, the premises licence held by the venue itself - see our alcohol licences guide for how the two fit together, including the Designated Premises Supervisor role that most licensed venues need to fill with a personal-licence holder.
Who needs a personal licence?
GOV.UK is direct about this: "You or a member of your staff must hold a personal licence if you sell alcohol from licensed premises."
Not everyone behind the bar needs their own personal licence - but every business selling alcohol from a licensed premises needs at least one personal-licence holder authorising those sales, and you must be 18 or over to hold one.
One notable exception: you don't need a personal licence to sell alcohol under a Temporary Event Notice - that route covers it separately.
Do you need training before you apply?
Yes - GOV.UK is explicit that "individuals must be at least 18 years old and hold the mandatory licensing qualification before applying," which means the training comes first, not the application.
The qualification GOV.UK names as an example is the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH), typically delivered as a short, one-day course with a short exam, through an accredited awarding body such as BIIAB (the British Institute of Innkeeping Awarding Body).
Course prices vary by provider - independent research into UK training providers (correct as of August 2026) found course-only pricing from around £70–£99, and combined packages bundling the course, exam and personal licence application together from around £225 up to £414. Always confirm the current price, and exactly what's included, directly with the provider before booking - some packages include the £37 council fee and some don't.
We're finalising direct links to accredited course providers. In the meantime, search for a "Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH)" course through an accredited awarding body, or ask your council's licensing team for locally-recognised options.
Do you need a criminal record check?
Yes - your council will ask you to complete a basic criminal conviction disclosure as part of your application.
GOV.UK states that "your local council will want to know of any relevant criminal convictions, and these may impact on whether or not you're found to be suitable as a licensee," so it's worth being upfront about anything relevant rather than risking a refusal.
If you have any concerns about how a past conviction might affect your application, it's worth speaking to your council's licensing team or a licensing solicitor before you apply, rather than guessing.
How much does a personal licence cost?
The statutory council fee is a flat £37, regardless of where in England or Wales you apply, set out in the Licensing Act 2003 (Fees) Regulations 2005.
There's no single "total" here, because some course providers bundle the £37 council fee into their package price and some don't - always check what's included before you pay. You don't have to use our service - most applicants complete this themselves for the course cost plus the £37 council fee. The free official route on GOV.UK →
✓ Council fee verified against legislation.gov.uk, 23 August 2026 · course prices checked against provider websites, August 2026
Does a personal licence expire or need renewing?
No - once granted, a personal licence has effect indefinitely, and there's no renewal to apply for.
This follows a change made by the Deregulation Act 2015, which amended the Licensing Act 2003 so that a personal licence "has effect indefinitely" rather than for a fixed term (legislation.gov.uk, Deregulation Act 2015, s.69).
You do still have an ongoing duty to notify your council of certain changes - for example, a change of name or address carries a £10.50 notification fee under the same fee regulations, so it's not entirely "set and forget."
How do you apply for a personal licence, step by step?
You apply to your own local council, after your training is complete, rather than to a national body.
- Confirm you actually need one - see our alcohol licences guide if you're not sure.
- Complete an accredited licensing qualification, such as the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH), through an approved provider.
- Gather your ID and be ready to complete a basic criminal conviction disclosure.
- Apply to your local council - GOV.UK provides a postcode search to find the right one.
- Pay the £37 statutory fee.
- Wait for your council to assess your application - it may ask follow-up questions if you've disclosed a relevant conviction.
- Once granted, your licence has effect indefinitely - there's no renewal date to track.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a personal licence to work behind a bar?
Not necessarily every member of staff - but the business must have at least one personal-licence holder authorising alcohol sales, and GOV.UK is clear that "you or a member of your staff" must hold one.
Do I need a personal licence to sell alcohol at a one-off event?
No - GOV.UK confirms you don't need a personal licence to sell alcohol under a Temporary Event Notice, which is the route most one-off events use instead.
Does my personal licence expire?
No - since the Deregulation Act 2015, a personal licence has effect indefinitely once it's granted, with no renewal required.
What if I have a criminal record?
Your council will want to know about any relevant convictions as part of your basic criminal conviction disclosure, and this could affect whether you're found suitable - if you're unsure, check with your council or a licensing solicitor before applying.
Can I use my personal licence at more than one venue?
Yes - a personal licence is held by you as an individual, not tied to a single premises, which is also why the same person can act as Designated Premises Supervisor for more than one business.
Do I need to tell my council if I change my name or move house?
Yes - you have an ongoing duty to notify your council of certain changes, and a £10.50 fee applies for notifying a change of name or address under the Licensing Act 2003 (Fees) Regulations 2005.
apply for licence is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to GOV.UK, any local council or any government body. This page is general information, not legal advice - for anything specific to your situation, including a conviction that might affect your application, contact your local council's licensing team or a licensing solicitor.