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The new system of personal licenses will allow you as a holder of one, to sell alcohol for consumption on or off any premises covered by a premises licence. This is similar to the way that a driving licence permits the driving of a car. Apart from the premises needing all the necessary licences and permissions to sell alcohol, now at least one of the people actually supplying the alcohol must hold a personal licence as well.

This new licensing scheme replaces the vague 'fit and proper person' tests that there used to be. It has replaced them with the need for you to possess a licensing qualification. The personal licence qualification has been welcomed by the Hospitality industry and it is hoped that it will help raise professional standards across the sector.

To make this clear, a personal licence does not allow you as its holder to supply alcohol anywhere, but only from places which have a premises licence authorising the supply of alcohol. You may only hold only one of these personal licences at any one time.

This also means that any licensed premises that supply alcohol must have an identified personal licence holder known as the designated premises supervisor to legally sell alcohol. This affects pubs, restaurants, supermarkets and off-licences etc. They are all now legally bound to ensure there is always one specified individual with a personal licence who can be readily identified at a premises where a premises licence is being used.

This person will usually be responsible for the day-to-day sales of alcohol on the premises. Although it is not necessary for all the staff to be licensed, most employers will have more that one of the staff holding a personal licence, so they can cover holidays and sickness. This is because all supplies of alcohol must be made by or under the authority of a personal licence holder. If there is not one present, for whatever reason, then no alcohol can be supplied.

When you receive your Personal Licence it is valid for ten years and then you can have it renewed as long as you have not been convicted of any offences, here or elsewhere in the world.

To get yourself a personal licence you will need to get an accredited qualification. This is to ensure that you are aware of the licensing law and the wider social responsibilities of selling alcohol to the public. This is straightforward and usually entails attending a course with a simple exam at the end of it. Luckily there are courses held all over the country, so you should be able to find one close to where you are.

Once you have your training certificate, all you have to do is send this along with the results of a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check and a few other forms to your local licensing authority. If this does seem a bit complicated, do not worry there are plenty of agencies offering services and advice. A good place to start, is to find out where the nearest course is being held that you can attend. RSA course online