Guide
APLH course: the Award for Personal Licence Holders explained
Updated
The APLH course is the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders, the licensing qualification an applicant needs before a council in England or Wales will grant a personal licence. UK providers publish it at a median of £130, as a one-day classroom course or online with the exam sat remotely.
Why the course is required
Under section 120 of the Licensing Act 2003, a licensing authority must grant a personal licence only if the applicant is aged 18 or over and holds a licensing qualification, among other conditions. GOV.UK names the Award for Personal Licence Holders as an example of that qualification.
Source: Licensing Act 2003, section 120.
How the course is taught
- One day in a classroom
- South Essex Colleges prices one full day, and Poppleston Allen's one-day course includes a multiple-choice assessment.
- Online
- CPL Learning and Essential Food Hygiene sell the course online; Get Licensed sells the training free and the exam separately.
- Awarding bodies
- The providers in the index offer it under the BIIAB and iQualify names; both lead to a Level 2 award for personal licence holders.
What it costs
The median published price is £130 across ten providers' own pages, from £99.99 to £155, read on 28 October 2026. The price index lists every provider, including the 24 that publish no price.
Source: price index
Scotland is different
In Scotland the qualification is the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH), and section 87 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 requires a licence holder to complete refresher training within each five-year period. Dumfries and Galloway College publishes the SCPLH at £145.
Source: Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders @ SCQF Level 6 | Dumfries and Galloway C