Table of Contents
- Why You Need to complete an Online Alcohol Licence Course
- Understanding APLH Qualification Requirements
- What to Expect From Your Online Course
- How to Apply for a Personal Licence After Your Course
- Personal Licence Training Cost and What's Included
- Getting Started With Your Course Today
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 26, 2026
Why You Need to complete an Online Alcohol Licence Course
Authorising the sale of alcohol in England, Wales or Scotland requires a Personal Licence ([Alcohol licensing](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/alcohol-licensing)). This is a legal requirement, not optional. You cannot authorise the sale of alcohol in licensed premises without it. A Personal alcohol licence can allow you to become a DPS (Designated Premises Supervisor)
The qualification is called the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) in England and Wales, or the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) in Scotland. Both are industry-standard qualifications. Your local licensing authority will not issue a Personal Licence without proof you hold one of these.
Personal Licence Course Online (APLH Level 2) – England & Wales
Many people assume they can learn this on the job. They cannot. The law is clear: you must complete formal training before you apply. An online alcohol licence course covers the exact content you need to pass the exam and understand your legal responsibilities.
Understanding APLH Qualification Requirements
The personal licence exam covers the legal and practical responsibilities of selling and managing alcohol under the Licensing Act 2003 in England and Wales.
The APLH qualification exists to ensure anyone selling alcohol knows the law. Complete your Personal Licence training online and take the official Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) exam from home. This course provides the qualification required to apply for a Personal Licence in England and Wales.
Study at your own pace, access your learning materials instantly and sit the exam online without needing to travel.
Please note: the Personal Licence application service is not included with this course.Â
Knight Training offer 1 free resit exam included with this booking.
Scottish Personal Licence Course Online (SCPLH)
What to Expect From Your Online Course
Course Structure and Content
An online alcohol licence course for beginners is designed to fit around your life. You study at your own pace, whenever suits you. There are no fixed class times or deadlines. You access the course materials instantly after signing up.
The course includes:
- A full e-book study guide you can download and read offline
- Interactive online modules covering all exam topics
- Video content explaining key concepts
- Practice questions to test your knowledge
- Access to professional tutors who can answer your questions
- Flexible scheduling so you study when you want
The pace is entirely up to you.
Person at home studying on laptop with course materials and notes spread across desk, natural daylight from window, coffee cup nearby
You access everything through an online portal. Log in, work through the modules, and track your progress. There is no software to download or install. Any computer or laptop with internet access works.
The study guide is the core resource. It covers every topic the exam tests. You can print it, annotate it, or read it on screen. Many learners print it and study with pen and paper.
Exam Format and Scheduling
The exam is online and invigilated remotely. You sit it from home or any quiet location with a reliable internet connection. You do not travel to a test centre.
The exam has 40 multiple-choice questions. You have 60 minutes to complete it. You need to answer a minimum of 28 questions to pass.
Once you finish the course material, you book a time slot that suits you. Exam slots are available throughout the week, including evenings and weekends.
You control the timing.
If you do not pass first time, you get one free resit. You can retake the exam without paying again.
How to Apply for a Personal Licence After Your Course
Once you pass the exam, you receive your APLH or SCPLH certificate. This certificate proves you hold the qualification. Now you can apply for your Personal Licence. (Source: Licensing Act 2003)
The application process differs slightly between England, Wales and Scotland. In all three nations, you apply to your local licensing authority (the council in your area).
Knight Training’s application service helps you submit your Personal Licence application correctly to your local council in England and Wales.
This complete package provides everything you need to qualify and successfully apply for your Personal Licence.
• Online APLH Level 2 course (self-paced)
• Full access to learning materials and e-book
• 1 free exam resit
• Tutor support for questions and guidance
• Online remotely invigilated exam
• Official APLH certificate (Highfield or BIIAB Qualifications)
• Personal Licence application pack
• Guidance on required documentation
• Assistance and payment of your DBS application
•Submission and payment of your application to your local authority
• Ongoing follow-up with the licensing authority
• Final checks of your licence once issued
• Tracked delivery of your completed licence
Personal Licence Training Cost and What's Included
The cost of an online alcohol licence course for beginners varies depending on what you need. The course alone costs one price. Adding the application service costs more.
Course only: The APLH or SCPLH course is £125.00. This includes the online learning, the e-book, tutor support, and one free exam resit.
Course plus application service: A full package including the course and complete application support is £258.08 in England and Wales, or £243.33 in Scotland. This covers everything: the course, the exam, and help with your Personal Licence application from start to finish.
The application service handles the paperwork, checks your application before you submit it, and guides you through the council's process. It removes the stress of not knowing if you have done everything correctly.
Knight Training offers both options. Many people choose the course alone if they are confident about the application process. Others choose the full package for peace of mind. Both are valid approaches.
The cost is a one-time payment. You do not pay per exam or per module. Once you pay, you have full access to everything.
Getting Started With Your Course Today
Starting your alcohol licence course takes minutes. Sign up, receive your login details by email, and begin studying immediately.
Here is what happens next:
- You complete your sign-up and receive your login details automatically.
- You log into the online portal and access all course materials
- You work through the modules at your own pace
- You practise with the exam-style questions
- You schedule your online exam when you feel ready
- You sit the exam from home
- You initially receive an e certificate and your paper certificate within a few days.
If you choose the full package with application support, Knight Training's team guides you through the Personal Licence application after you pass the exam. They check your paperwork, advise on any council-specific requirements, and support you until your licence is approved.
Getting your Personal Licence does not have to be complicated. An online alcohol licence course for beginners gives you the qualification the law requires. Knight Training provides accredited APLH and SCPLH courses with optional application support, so you can move from course completion to working in a licensed premises with confidence. Accredited by Highfield or BIIAB Awarding Body, we deliver the training venues trust. Start your course today and take the first step toward your Personal Licence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online alcohol licence course legally recognised in the UK?
Yes. Online alcohol licence courses that award the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) in England and Wales, or the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) in Scotland, are fully legally recognised. These qualifications are accredited by the [Highfield Awarding Body](https://www.highfieldawardings.com/) and meet the requirements set by local licensing authorities. You can study and sit your exam entirely online, and your certificate will be valid for your Personal Licence application.
How long does a personal licence training course take to complete?
There are no fixed deadlines, so you study at your own pace and schedule your exam when you feel ready.
What is the APLH qualification?
APLH stands for the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders. It's a legal requirement in England and Wales before you can apply for a Personal Licence to sell or supervise the sale of alcohol. The qualification covers alcohol law, licensing objectives, responsible service practices, and health and safety. Once you pass the APLH exam, you can use your certificate to apply for your Personal Licence through your local authority.
Do I need a personal licence to authorise the sale of alcohol in the UK?
Yes, if you sell alcohol, you must be authorised by a personal licence holder for the sale of alcohol in England and Wales, you must hold a Personal Licence. In Scotland, you need a Personal Licence to perform similar duties. Each personal licence is issued by your local authority and requires you to first complete and pass the relevant qualification (APLH or SCPLH). Without a valid Personal Licence, you cannot legally carry out these duties.