What Is a BIIAB Personal Licence and Who Needs One?

If you sell alcohol or plan to run a pub, bar, restaurant, or shop, you'll hear this term a lot. At Licensing Solutions, we get asked about it almost every day. So let's break it down in plain English.

What Is a BIIAB Personal Licence?

A BIIAB Personal Licence is a legal document that lets you sell or supervise the sale of alcohol in England and Wales. You get it by passing the BIIAB Level 2 Award For Personal Licence Holders qualification, also known as APLH.

Without this licence, you can't authorise the sale of alcohol on a premises. Simple as that.

We've helped thousands of people get this qualification over the years, and we know it can feel confusing at first. That's exactly why we're writing this.

Who Actually Needs One?

You might be wondering if this applies to you. In our experience, these people usually need it:

  • Pub and bar managers
  • Shop owners who sell alcohol
  • Restaurant owners and managers
  • Anyone named as a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)
  • Event organisers who serve alcohol regularly

If your name is going on a premises licence as the DPS, you must hold a personal licence. There's no way around it.

Why We Recommend Getting Qualified Early

We always tell our clients not to leave this until the last minute. Job offers can depend on it. Landlords sometimes ask for proof before signing a lease. And honestly, having it ready gives you an edge when applying for management roles.

We've seen people miss out on jobs simply because they didn't have their qualification sorted in time. Don't let that be you.

What Does the BIIAB Level 2 Award For Personal Licence Holders Cover?

This isn't just a box-ticking exercise. The course actually teaches useful stuff, including:

  • Your legal responsibilities as a licence holder
  • The rules around selling alcohol responsibly
  • How to protect children and vulnerable people
  • What happens during police inspections
  • The penalties for getting it wrong

We think this knowledge matters. It's not just about passing a test — it's about running a safe, legal premises.

How We Make the Process Easier

At Licensing Solutions, we run our exams online. No travelling, no waiting weeks for a slot. Here's what you get when you book with us:

  • A 40-minute, 40-question multiple choice exam
  • Instant results after your test
  • Free unlimited re-sits if you don't pass first time
  • A welcome pack with a handbook, video guide, and mock exam
  • Flexible time slots, three sessions every hour

We run everything over Zoom, one-to-one, so you get proper support from a real examiner. No stress, no confusion.

Our Honest Advice Before You Apply

Before you sit the BIIAB Personal Licence exam, take a look at our mock test. It gives you a real feel for the questions. Most of our clients say it made a big difference to their confidence on the day.

Also, keep your documents ready early. You'll need photo ID, a DBS check, and proof of your right to work in the UK. Sorting these in advance saves a lot of hassle later.

Ready to Get Started?

We've made this process as simple as we can. If you're ready to book your exam or just want to ask a few questions first, get in touch with us. We're happy to help you every step of the way

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