How to Become a Designated Premises Supervisor

What a Designated Premises Supervisor Does and Who Can Become One

A Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) is the person legally responsible for alcohol sales at a specific location — a pub, off-licence, restaurant, or other venue with a liquor license. The DPS is the point of contact between the business and the local licensing authority, and they must be present or contactable whenever alcohol is sold. You do not need a degree or formal qualification to become a DPS, but you do need to meet specific legal requirements and hold a personal license.

The role exists in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland has a different system with a different title. If you work in Scotland, you will need to research the Premises Manager role instead, which operates under different rules.

Most people who become a DPS are already working in hospitality — bar managers, pub owners, restaurant managers — but the path is open to anyone who meets the legal criteria. The main barrier is not experience but paperwork: you must hold a personal license and be approved by the licensing authority.

Key Takeaways

You must hold a valid personal license from your local authority before you can become a DPS, which requires completing an approved training course and passing a test.
Your employer or the business owner must formally notify the licensing authority that you are the DPS for that premises, using a standard form.
You must be at least 18 years old, have no relevant criminal convictions, and not be disqualified from holding a personal license.
Once appointed, you are legally responsible for ensuring the premises complies with alcohol licensing law, even if you are not physically present at every sale.
The personal license lasts ten years and costs between £37 and £100 depending on your local authority, but you may need to renew it before explore for a DPS role.

Step 1: Get Your Personal License

Before you can be appointed as a DPS, you must hold a personal license. This is a separate credential from the DPS role itself. To get one, you must complete an approved training course on alcohol licensing law, pass a test, and then submit your process to your local licensing authority.

The training course covers the Licensing Act 2003, the four licensing objectives (preventing crime, protecting children, preventing public nuisance, and protecting health), and your responsibilities as a license holder. Courses are run by private training providers and typically cost between £20 and £50. You can take the course online or in person, and most people complete it in a single day or over a few evenings. After the course, you sit a multiple-choice test — usually 20 to 30 questions — and you need to pass with a score of around 70 percent or higher.

Once you pass the test, you receive a certificate. You then submit an process to your local licensing authority (usually your local council) along with the certificate, proof of identity, and a fee. The fee varies by council but is typically between £37 and £100. The authority will check whether you have any relevant criminal convictions that would disqualify you. If you are approved, you receive your personal license, which is valid for ten years.

Step 2: Understand the Legal Requirements for DPS Appointment

Once you hold a personal license, you are may be able to access to be appointed as a DPS — but only if you meet a few additional legal conditions. You must be at least 18 years old, you must not be disqualified from holding a personal license, and you must not have certain criminal convictions on your record. The licensing authority will check this when the premises notifies them of your appointment.

You also cannot be a DPS at more than one premises at a time. If you already hold a DPS role elsewhere, you must resign from that position before you can be appointed at a new one. Some licensing authorities allow a short overlap (a few days) to allow for handover, but you should check with your local authority before making the switch.

There is no upper age limit, no requirement to have worked in hospitality, and no requirement to have previous management experience. The only real barriers are the personal license and a clean record on the specific offences that trigger disqualification.

Step 3: Work with Your Employer or Business Owner to Notify the Licensing Authority

Once you have your personal license and meet the legal requirements, the next step is formal notification. The business owner or premises license holder must submit a notice to the local licensing authority stating that you are the DPS for that premises. This is done using a standard form — usually called a "Notice of Designated Premises Supervisor" or similar, depending on your local authority.

The form asks for your name, your personal license number, the date your personal license was issued, and the premises details. The business owner or their representative signs the form and submits it to the licensing authority, usually by post or online. There is no fee for this notification. The authority will check your personal license details and confirm that you are not already a DPS elsewhere.

Once the authority receives and processes the notification, you become the DPS. This usually happens within a few days to a week. The authority will send written confirmation to the premises. You should keep a copy of this confirmation on file at the premises.

What Happens After You Are Appointed as DPS

Once you are the DPS, you have legal responsibilities that do not end when you leave the building. You are responsible for ensuring the premises complies with the licensing conditions and the law, even if you are not physically present at every transaction. This means you must train staff on responsible alcohol service, may support the premises has the required policies in place (such as a policy on underage sales), and be available to respond to licensing authority inquiries.

You do not have to be at the premises every time alcohol is sold, but you must be contactable and able to respond quickly if there is a problem — a complaint, a breach of license conditions, or a licensing authority inspection. If the premises is found to be breaking the law and you cannot show that you took reasonable steps to prevent it, you can face a fine or prosecution.

Your personal license must be renewed every ten years. When it is due to expire, you will need to complete the training course again, pass the test again, and submit a renewal process to your local authority. The DPS appointment itself does not expire — it remains in place until you resign, are removed by the licensing authority, or the premises license is revoked.

How to Find an Approved Training Course

Training courses are run by private providers, not by the government. Your local licensing authority will have a list of approved providers on their website. You can also search online for "personal license training [your town]" or "alcohol licensing course near me" to find providers in your area.

When choosing a course, check that it is approved by your local authority and that it covers the Licensing Act 2003 for your nation (England, Wales, or Northern Ireland — the rules differ slightly). Some providers offer online courses that you can complete at your own pace, while others run classroom sessions on set dates. Prices and course lengths vary, but most take between four and eight hours of study time.

After you pass the test, keep your certificate safe — you will need to submit it with your personal license process. Some providers will email you a copy, but it is worth asking for a printed version as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a DPS if I have a criminal record?

It depends on the conviction. Certain offences — such as those involving violence, dishonesty, or drugs — will disqualify you from holding a personal license and therefore from becoming a DPS. Minor offences may not. You should declare any conviction when you explore for your personal license and let the licensing authority decide. If you are unsure, contact your local licensing authority before paying for a training course.

How long does it take to become a DPS?

If you already have a personal license, you can be appointed as a DPS as soon as the business notifies the licensing authority — usually within a week. If you do not have a personal license yet, you need to complete the training course (one day to a few weeks depending on the provider), pass the test, and then wait for your personal license to be approved (usually one to two weeks). In total, expect four to six weeks from start to finish.

What if I leave the job or resign as DPS?

You must notify the licensing authority in writing that you are resigning. The premises will then need to appoint a new DPS within 28 days, or they risk losing their license. Your personal license remains valid and can be used to become a DPS at another premises if you wish.

Do I need to be the owner of the premises to be a DPS?

No. You can be a DPS as an employee. The premises license is held by the business owner, but the DPS can be any person who holds a personal license and meets the legal requirements. Many pubs and bars have a manager as the DPS rather than the owner.

What is the difference between a personal license and a DPS appointment?

A personal license is a credential you hold as an individual — it proves you have completed the training and are legally allowed to sell alcohol. A DPS appointment is a role you hold at a specific premises — it makes you the person legally responsible for that location's compliance with licensing law. You can hold a personal license without being a DPS, but you cannot be a DPS without a personal license.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.