Thinking of stepping up to becoming a barman in a pub, or a supervisor position is a restaurant, or shop?
Or perhaps you’re the person everyone turns to for authorising alcohol sales?
If so, you’ve probably heard you need a Personal Licence. But what does it actually cost to get one?
The truth is, the total investment isn’t just one single fee. It’s a combination of different costs. And these can change depending on where and how you get qualified.
Today, I’m going to break down every single cost for you. No jargon. No surprises. Just a clear guide so you know exactly what to budget for this massive career step.
First, What Exactly is a Personal Licence?
Before we get into the numbers, let’s be clear on what this is.
A Personal Licence is a qualification that authorises you, as an individual, to supply or authorise the supply of alcohol. It’s granted under the Licensing Act 2003.
Here’s why it’s so important:
Every single premises that sells alcohol – a pub, a shop, a restaurant, a hotel – must have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).
And that DPS must hold a Personal Licence.
Simple as that.
Having a Personal Licence makes you a huge asset to any licensed premises. It’s pretty much essential for supervisor roles in these business types, and advantageous for anyone who works at the till regularly making alcohol sales.
The best part? The licence belongs to you, not your employer. You can take it with you from job to job, making it a proper investment in your future.
The Main Costs: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
Right, let’s get to the brass tacks. There are three main costs you need to plan for, plus a couple of smaller ones that often catch people out.
Cost 1: The Qualification – Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH)
Before you can even think about applying to your local council, you must earn a recognised qualification. The one you need is the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH).
This course proves you understand UK licensing law and your responsibilities when selling alcohol. It’s the foundation of everything.
The cost for this can vary a fair bit.
- In-person classroom courses: These often go for £120 to £200. Sometimes even more if you’re in London.
- Online courses: A good quality online course from an accredited provider will typically be between £90 and £150.
Here at Essential Food Hygiene, you can do the fully accredited course for just £89, making it an absolute steal. Click here to order your online course.
What sets our course apart is that it’s fully online. No need to take a day off work or travel to a stuffy training centre. You can get qualified from your own sofa, at your own pace. We’re an official, Ofqual accredited provider, so you know you’re getting the real deal.
Cost 2: The Licence Application Fee
This bit is nice and simple.
Once you’ve passed your APLH exam, you pay a fixed, mandatory fee to your local licensing authority (your council) when you send in your application.
The standard application fee for a new Personal Licence in England and Wales is £37.
This fee is set by the government, so it doesn’t change. It’s the same in Manchester as it is in Margate. Just remember it’s non-refundable, so make sure your application is spot on.
Cost 3: The Criminal Record (DBS) Check
Your application must include a recent criminal record check. Specifically, a basic check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
A key detail: the certificate must be dated within one month of your licence application being submitted. The timing is important.
A basic DBS check currently costs £21.50 over on Gov.uk website
A Quick Note on Criminal Records
The DBS check often makes people nervous, but it’s usually not a problem.
When you apply, the licensing authority will notify the police if you have any ‘unspent’ relevant convictions. The police can then object if they believe granting you the licence would undermine the crime prevention objective.
However, for most people, this is just a procedural step. Unless you have serious, recent, and relevant offences, it’s unlikely to be an issue. Honesty on your application is always the best policy.
Are There Any Other ‘Hidden’ Costs?
Yes. But don’t worry, they’re small. I’m telling you so you’re not caught by surprise.
Passport Photos
You need to provide two passport-sized photos with your application.
One of them needs to be endorsed (signed on the back) by a professional, like a person of good standing in the community, to verify it’s a true likeness of you.
Cost: Around £10-£15 from a photo booth.
Recorded Delivery
This isn’t mandatory, but I always, always advise it.
You’re sending important, original documents. Send them via Royal Mail Signed For or Special
Delivery. It’s worth a few quid for the peace of mind.
Cost: Around £5-£10.
The Good News About Renewals
Now for some brilliant news.
Thanks to the Deregulation Act 2015, Personal Licences issued in England and Wales no longer expire.
That’s right. They are valid indefinitely.
This means there are no renewal fees to worry about. It makes the licence a fantastic, one-off investment in your career. This is different from Scotland, by the way, where licences need renewing every 10 years. But in England and Wales, once you have it, it’s yours for good (unless it’s revoked, of course).
What is the Total Cost of a Personal Licence?
Let’s add it all up.
- APLH Qualification: approx. £106.80 (including VAT) if you order here
- Council Application Fee: £37
- Basic DBS Check: £21.50
- Minor Extras (Photos/Postage): approx. £15 – £25
- Estimated Total Investment: £180.30 – £190.30 (including VAT)
An Investment in Your Career
When you look at it, this isn’t just a cost. It’s an investment.
For a one-off fee of under £250, you get a lifelong qualification (in England and Wales) that can completely change your career path.
It makes you eligible for DPS roles. It boosts your pay packet. And it gives you a portable qualification that makes you more valuable to any employer in this industry.
Ready to take the first and most important step?
Our online, self-paced Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders course provides everything you need to get qualified quickly and affordably. We’ve helped countless people get licensed, and we’d be delighted to help you too.
Enrol today, and start your journey towards becoming a Personal Licence holder.
If you have any questions about the process, our expert team is always on hand to help. Your future starts right here.
Contact us to to learn more about our APLH Course and get started today!