Do You Need a Personal Licensing Course to Work in Hospitality? Here’s What the Law Says

 

You’ve landed a job interview at a buzzing gastropub. Or maybe you’re looking to open your own cocktail lounge. Either way, there’s one question echoing in your head:

Do I need a personal licence to work in hospitality?

It’s a fair question — and one that thousands across the UK ask every year.

Let’s clear the confusion, break down what the law actually says, and walk you through real stories, stats, and expert-backed insights. Whether you're eyeing a promotion behind the bar, managing a restaurant, or launching your own food & drink venture, this blog will help you understand where a Personal Licence course fits in — and why it might just be the smartest move you can make.

 

First, What Is a Personal Licence?

A Personal Licence permits an individual to authorise the sale or supply of alcohol in England and Wales, in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003.

This licence is attached to the individual, not the premises. It gives you legal authority to oversee alcohol sales responsibly — whether you’re a pub manager, events organiser, or senior hospitality staff member.

To get a Personal Licence, you must:

  • Be 18 or over


  • Hold a Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) qualification from a government-recognised provider


  • Have no unspent criminal convictions (some exceptions apply)


  • Apply to your local licensing authority


 

Who Actually Needs a Personal Licence?

Let’s be clear: Not everyone working in hospitality needs one.

If you’re waiting tables, working in the kitchen, or doing non-management bar work under supervision, you can legally operate without a personal licence. But the moment your role involves:

  • Supervising alcohol sales


  • Running a bar or venue where alcohol is served


  • Applying for temporary event notices (TENs)


  • Becoming the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)


...you’ll need a valid personal licence.

It’s about accountability. The government needs to know that someone responsible is trained, vetted, and ready to uphold licensing laws where alcohol is being served.

 

A Common Misconception: “My Venue Has a Premises Licence — I Don’t Need Anything Else.”

This is a trap many fall into.

Yes, a premises licence allows alcohol to be sold at a specific location. But it must be overseen by a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) — and the DPS must hold a Personal Licence.

In fact, many businesses now require all senior hospitality staff to have personal licences, even if they’re not DPSs, to create a flexible team and reduce legal risks.

 

Real-World UK Scenarios (Case Studies)

Case Study 1: The Career Climber

A young bartender working at a family-run restaurant for two years wanted to move up to assistant manager. The employer required someone who could authorize alcohol sales when the manager wasn’t around.

They enrolled him on a one-day APLH course, and within three weeks of completing it and applying through the council, he was promoted.

“It wasn’t just about the piece of paper. It gave me confidence to handle licensing issues, refusals, underage queries — and made me feel like a real professional.”

 

Case Study 2: The Events Entrepreneur

An individual started running pop-up bars at food festivals. They were constantly applying for Temporary Event Notices (TENs) to serve alcohol at different venues.

Without a personal licence, they were limited to five TENs per year. With a licence, that number increased to fifty.

“Getting my personal licence was a game-changer. I didn’t realise how much I was holding myself back. Now I can run events almost every weekend.”

 

Case Study 3: The Compliance Wake-Up Call

A restaurant in a city centre was fined after a sting operation showed staff serving alcohol to underage customers. The issue? The supervisor on shift wasn’t licensed, and the DPS wasn’t present.

After this, the business mandated that all supervisors and managers hold a personal licence, to protect the company and its team from future legal challenges.

“We didn’t want to be in a situation where one person holds all the responsibility. Now our whole senior team is trained and qualified. It’s better for business, and our peace of mind.”

 

UK Stats That Speak Volumes

  • There are over 720,000 hospitality workers in the UK — and around 60,000+ personal licences are issued annually.


  • According to the UK Government’s Licensing Statistics, more than 90% of premises licences list a named DPS, which requires a personal licence.


  • UK enforcement agencies carried out 4,000+ alcohol licensing checks in the past year alone, leading to dozens of suspensions and penalties where licensing conditions were breached.


  • More than 40% of hospitality employers in a recent industry survey said they prefer applicants with a personal licence — even for supervisory roles that don’t technically require one.


 

So… Do YOU Need a Personal Licensing Course?

Ask yourself:

  • Are you serving alcohol directly or authorising those who do?


  • Could you ever be asked to cover for your manager?


  • Are you responsible for stock, opening/closing shifts, or cashing up?


  • Do you want to open your own venue in the next few years?


  • Would you benefit from being able to apply for TENs or be the DPS?


If you answered yes to any of the above — then the Personal Licence course is not just a legal requirement, it’s a career investment.

 

What’s Covered in the APLH Course?

At SafetyMark Training, our Level 2 APLH course equips you with everything you need to apply for a Personal Licence:

  • Licensing objectives and responsibilities


  • The role of the DPS


  • Premises licence and TENs


  • Age verification and underage sales


  • The impact of alcohol on the body


  • Conflict management and refusal strategies


  • Police powers and penalties


It’s a one-day course, followed by a short exam. You’ll walk out feeling more capable, confident, and compliant.

 

What Students Say About the Course

“I didn’t think I needed the course — but it was full of things I didn’t know. I feel much more in control now at work.”
 — Hospitality Supervisor, Midlands

“Our whole bar team did the course together. It was straightforward, and the trainer made everything so practical. Definitely worth it.”
 — Restaurant Manager, South East

“I used to rely on our DPS for everything. Now I can handle my own event licences and run pop-ups legally. No more waiting around.”
 — Mobile Bar Owner, North West

 

The Legal Bottom Line

Here’s what the Licensing Act 2003 says:

  • Every sale of alcohol must be authorized by a personal licence holder.


  • A premise must have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) who holds a personal licence.


  • If you’re applying for a TEN and you hold a personal licence, you can apply for up to 50 events per year. Without it, you’re limited to 5.


Working without appropriate authorization? That could result in:

  • Penalties or license suspension for your employer


  • Criminal charges or fines


  • Closure of the premises in serious cases


 

Why Choose SafetyMark Training?

  • Accredited and experienced trainers


  • One-day fast-track learning


  • High first-time pass rates


  • Ongoing support with licence applications


  • Group training available for teams


We believe in delivering training that’s not just informative — but practical, engaging, and career-transforming.

 

FAQs 

1. Do I need a personal licence to serve alcohol in the UK?

No, not to serve — but someone on-site must have a personal licence to authorise the sale. If you’re in a senior position, it's best to have one.

2. How long does it take to get a personal licence in the UK?

The course takes one day, and once you pass, the licence process typically takes 2–4 weeks through your local council.

3. What’s the difference between a personal licence and a premises licence?

A premises licence allows alcohol to be sold at a location. A personal licence allows an individual to authorise sales at any licensed premises.

4. Is the personal licence valid for life?

Yes. Since 2015, personal licences do not expire — though your details must be updated with your local authority if they change.

5. Can I get a personal licence with a criminal record?

It depends. Certain convictions may affect your application, but it's assessed case-by-case. The police have the right to object during the application process.

 

Final Thoughts: Your Career Deserves the Right Credentials

Hospitality is fast-paced. Competitive. Filled with opportunity.

But it’s also governed by law — especially when it comes to alcohol.

Whether you're managing a team, planning to launch a venue, or simply want more freedom and flexibility in your role, a Personal Licence isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a professional must-have.

At SafetyMark Training, we’re here to make the process simple, supportive, and career-focused.

Your path to becoming a licensed professional starts here.

 

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