Guide

Get a personal licence to sell alcohol in Scotland

How to obtain a Scottish personal licence under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, including the SCPLH qualification, Disclosure Scotland check, application process, fees, renewal, and refresher training requirements.

Scotland

A personal licence authorises you to supervise or authorise the sale of alcohol in Scotland. You need one if you will be a premises manager (the person responsible for day-to-day running of licensed premises) or if you want to authorise alcohol sales on any licensed premises.

Scotland operates its own licensing system under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, which is entirely separate from the Licensing Act 2003 used in England and Wales. The qualification, application process, fees, and renewal rules are all different. You cannot use an English personal licence to manage premises in Scotland, and a Scottish personal licence does not authorise you to act as a Designated Premises Supervisor in England or Wales.

When you need a personal licence

  • You are, or will be, the premises manager named on a premises licence
  • You supervise or authorise the sale of alcohol on licensed premises
  • You are applying for an occasional licence to sell alcohol at a temporary event (personal licence holders can apply directly)

Every premises licence in Scotland that authorises the sale of alcohol must name a premises manager who holds a valid personal licence. If you are opening a pub, restaurant, hotel, off-licence, or any other premises selling alcohol, you will need at least one personal licence holder involved in the business.

Step-by-step: how to get your personal licence

The application process involves completing an accredited qualification, obtaining a criminal record check, and applying to your local Licensing Board. Allow 4 to 8 weeks from starting your qualification to receiving your licence.

  1. 1. Complete the SCPLH qualification

    Pass the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) at SCQF Level 6. This is the only qualification accepted for Scottish personal licence applications — the English APLH or BIIAB Level 2 Award is not valid in Scotland. Courses are available online or in person from SQA-accredited training providers and typically cost between £85 and £150 plus VAT. The qualification involves study modules covering the five Scottish licensing objectives, the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, and responsible alcohol sales, followed by an invigilated examination.

  2. 2. Apply for a Basic Disclosure from Disclosure Scotland

    You need a Basic Disclosure certificate showing any unspent criminal convictions. Apply online through Disclosure Scotland at disclosurescotland.co.uk. The fee is £25 and processing usually takes around 14 days. Your Disclosure certificate must be no more than 6 months old when you submit your personal licence application.

  3. 3. Submit your application to your local Licensing Board

    Apply to the Licensing Board for the council area where you live — not where the premises is located. Complete the personal licence application form (available from your council website), and submit it with your SCPLH certificate, Basic Disclosure certificate, two passport-sized photographs, and the £50 application fee.

  4. 4. Wait for the police check

    The Licensing Board notifies Police Scotland of your application under section 73 of the Act. The police have 21 days to respond. If they have no objection, the Board can grant your licence without a hearing. If the police recommend refusal (for example, because of relevant convictions), the Board must hold a hearing where you can present your case.

  5. 5. Receive your personal licence

    Once granted, the Board issues your personal licence, which is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. Keep your licence safe — you may need to produce it on request and must send it to the Board for updating if your details change.

  6. 6. Complete refresher training every 5 years

    You must complete the SCPLH Refresher qualification (SCPLHR) within each 5-year period. Send your refresher certificate to the Licensing Board that issued your licence. Failure to complete refresher training is grounds for licence revocation.

  7. 7. Renew before expiry

    Apply to renew your licence no later than 3 months before the expiry date. Submit the renewal application with a current refresher training certificate and the £50 renewal fee. If you do not renew in time, your licence will expire and you must apply for a new licence from scratch, including resitting the full SCPLH qualification.

Qualification
Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) at SCQF Level 6
Qualification cost
£85-£150 plus VAT (varies by training provider)
Accrediting body
SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority)
Basic Disclosure fee
£25 (Disclosure Scotland)
Application fee
£50 (set by Licensing (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2007)
Renewal fee
£50
Licence validity
10 years from date of issue
Refresher training
Mandatory every 5 years (SCPLHR qualification)
Refresher cost
£60-£90 plus VAT (varies by provider)
Minimum age
18 years
Renewal deadline
Apply no later than 3 months before expiry

Penalties for alcohol offences in Scotland

Penalty:
<p><strong>Selling alcohol without a licence:</strong> Selling or supplying alcohol on unlicensed premises, or without a premises manager who holds a personal licence, is a criminal offence under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. On summary conviction, you face a <strong>fine of up to £20,000, imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>Failure to notify changes:</strong> If you do not notify the Licensing Board of a change of name, address, or criminal conviction within the required period, you commit an offence punishable by a fine of up to <strong>£500</strong> (level 2 on the standard scale).</p>
<p><strong>Underage sales:</strong> Selling alcohol to a person under 18 can result in a fine of up to <strong>£5,000 and/or 3 months' imprisonment</strong>. Personal licence holders found guilty of underage sales may have their licence suspended or revoked.</p>

Key differences from England and Wales

Scotland's personal licensing system is fundamentally different from the regime in England and Wales. If you are moving your business across the border, or operating in both jurisdictions, you need separate qualifications and licences for each.

Feature Scotland England and Wales
Legislation Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 Licensing Act 2003
Qualification SCPLH (SCQF Level 6) APLH / BIIAB Level 2 Award
Licence validity 10 years (must renew) Indefinite (no expiry since April 2015)
Refresher training Mandatory every 5 years Not required
Apply to Licensing Board where you live Licensing authority where you live
Application fee £50 £37
Criminal record check Basic Disclosure (Disclosure Scotland) Basic DBS check
Premises role Premises manager Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)
Licensing objectives 5 (includes public health) 4
Qualification interchangeable? No — SCPLH and APLH are not interchangeable

Ongoing obligations as a personal licence holder

Holding a personal licence in Scotland comes with continuing duties beyond simply renewing it every 10 years:

  • Notify changes promptly: Tell your Licensing Board within 1 month if you change your name or address (section 88 of the Act). You must send your licence to the Board for updating.
  • Declare convictions: If you are convicted of a relevant offence or foreign offence, you must notify both the Licensing Board and any premises where you are named as premises manager.
  • Complete refresher training: Sit the SCPLHR qualification within each 5-year window and send the certificate to your Licensing Board.
  • Produce your licence on request: You may be asked to produce your personal licence by a Licensing Standards Officer or police officer.
  • Act responsibly: Your conduct must be consistent with the five licensing objectives. The Licensing Board can review and revoke your licence if your behaviour is inconsistent with these objectives.

What happens if you lose your licence

If your personal licence is revoked, surrendered, or expires without renewal, and you later wish to apply again, you may need to wait up to 5 years before a new application will be considered (depending on the circumstances of revocation). If your licence simply expires because you did not renew in time, you must complete the full SCPLH qualification again before reapplying.

Alcohol licensing in Scotland

How alcohol licensing works in Scotland under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 — five licensing objectives, Licensing Boards, premises and personal licences, occasional licences, overprovision, and minimum unit pricing.

Read guide