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Licensed Premises Course (UK) 2026

This course is for door supervisors, security officers and venue staff at pubs, bars, clubs and other licensed premises in the UK. It covers licensing law in each nation, door staff and capacity, drunk and disorderly customers, age checks, spiking and drugs. Door supervisors at licensed premises need an SIA door supervisor licence, even when employed in-house; this course is background knowledge only.

  • Course
  • United Kingdom
  • 25 questions
  • Checked October 13, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 30 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.

Start with the lessonsLicensed Premises Course (UK): Lessons: about 30 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Name the licensing laws and objectives in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
  • Explain when door staff at licensed premises need an SIA licence
  • Apply the offences on drunkenness, disorder and refusing to leave
  • Carry out age checks that meet the mandatory conditions
  • Respond to suspected spiking and vulnerable customers

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    The section 182 guidance lists four licensing objectives for England and Wales. Which one is the most important?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. They are all of equal importance

    The section 182 guidance says each licensing objective is of equal importance.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    Which extra licensing objective applies to a bar in Glasgow but not to a bar in Cardiff?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Protecting and improving public health

    The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 has five objectives. Protecting and improving public health is the one not found in the Licensing Act 2003.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    Which law sets out liquor licensing in Northern Ireland?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996

    Northern Ireland has its own system under the Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996. The Licensing Act 2003 covers England and Wales.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    A premises licence in England requires security staff on the door from 10 pm. Under section 21 of the Licensing Act 2003, what must those staff have?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An SIA licence for that security activity

    Section 21 says any licence condition requiring security staff must also require them to hold an SIA licence (or be entitled to do the work) under the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    A nightclub employs its own door supervisors directly, not through a security company. Do they need SIA licences?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Yes, in-house or contracted, they need one

    The SIA says door supervision at licensed premises needs a licence whether the worker is in-house or contracted.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, who normally recommends a venue's permitted capacity?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The fire and rescue authority

    The section 182 guidance says the permitted capacity is set following a recommendation from the fire and rescue authority.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    Why does the section 182 guidance say capacity limits can help prevent disorder?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Overcrowding can make crowds frustrated and hostile

    The guidance notes that overcrowded venues can increase the risk of crowds becoming frustrated and hostile.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    A bartender knowingly serves another drink to a customer who is drunk. Which section of the Licensing Act 2003 makes this an offence?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Section 141

    Section 141 makes it an offence for staff with authority to sell alcohol, the licence holder or the DPS to knowingly sell, attempt to sell or allow a sale to a drunk person.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    Under section 142 of the Licensing Act 2003, what offence can a customer commit at the bar?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Knowingly buying alcohol for a drunk person

    Section 142 makes it an offence to knowingly obtain or try to obtain alcohol on relevant premises for a drunk person to drink there.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    Under section 143 of the Licensing Act 2003, what must a police officer do when asked by authorised venue staff?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Help expel the person and help stop them coming back in

    Section 143(4) says a constable must help expel a drunk or disorderly person and help prevent them entering again, when asked.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    A drunk man who was told not to come in keeps trying to get back into a pub in England. What does section 143 say?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. He may commit an offence just by trying to enter

    Section 143 covers a drunk or disorderly person who fails to leave, or who enters or tries to enter after being asked not to, without reasonable excuse.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    Under section 140 of the Licensing Act 2003, who can commit the offence of knowingly allowing disorderly conduct on the premises?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A staff member whose role lets them prevent it

    Section 140 applies to staff who could prevent the conduct, the premises licence holder and the designated premises supervisor.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    In Scotland, a disorderly customer refuses to leave a bar. Under section 116 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, who may remove them using reasonable force?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Staff authorised by a responsible person

    Section 116 lets an authorised person (a responsible person, or staff they authorise) remove someone who refuses to leave, using reasonable force if needed.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    A seller is charged with selling alcohol to a 16-year-old. Under section 146, what counts as taking all reasonable steps to check age?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Asking for proof of age that would convince a reasonable person

    Section 146(5) says reasonable steps are taken if the seller asked for evidence of age and that evidence would have convinced a reasonable person.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    A 19-year-old buys a vodka and hands it to his 16-year-old friend at the bar. What is this?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. An offence of buying alcohol for a child

    Section 149 makes it an offence to buy or try to buy alcohol for a person under 18, or for them to drink on relevant premises.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    Which drinks may an adult buy for a 17-year-old to have with a table meal, if an adult is with them?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Beer, wine or cider

    Sections 149 and 150 allow 16 and 17-year-olds to have beer, wine or cider with a table meal when accompanied by someone aged 18 or over.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    Under the mandatory licensing conditions in England and Wales, which ID meets the minimum for an age check?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A photo card with date of birth and a hologram or UV feature

    The age verification policy must require photo ID showing date of birth with a holographic mark or ultraviolet feature, or approved digital ID.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    When may a venue's age verification policy accept digital ID?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Only through a registered digital verification provider

    The updated mandatory conditions allow digital ID only where the licence holder has an agreement with a registered digital verification service provider.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    The section 182 guidance says preventing drink spiking falls under which licensing objective?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The prevention of crime and disorder

    The guidance places spiking, including putting alcohol or drugs in someone's drink without their knowledge, under the crime and disorder objective.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    A woman seems confused and unsteady after one drink, and her friend thinks she was spiked. What should staff do?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Get medical help, stay with her and contact the police

    GOV.UK advice is to get medical help (999 or 111), stay with the person, and help contact the police. Call 999 if she is in immediate danger.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    Why does GOV.UK advise reporting a suspected spiking as quickly as possible?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Some drugs leave the body in less than 12 hours

    GOV.UK says some drugs leave the body quite quickly, in less than 12 hours, so fast reporting helps police testing.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    You see someone drop something into a customer's drink. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Tell the customer not to drink it and alert venue staff

    GOV.UK advises witnesses to tell the person not to drink it, tell venue staff, and stay until police arrive if possible.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    Staff at venues taking part in the Ask for Angela scheme in London are trained through which programme?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. WAVE training

    The Met Police says staff at participating venues complete WAVE (Welfare and Vulnerability Engagement) training, so they can recognise vulnerability and respond.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    A club manager knows drugs are being sold in the toilets and does nothing about it. Which law may they be breaking?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, section 8

    Section 8 makes it an offence for an occupier or manager of premises to knowingly permit or suffer the supply of controlled drugs there.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    Under the mandatory licensing conditions, what must on-licensed premises give customers free of charge if they ask?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Drinking water, if reasonably available

    The mandatory conditions require free drinking water to be provided on request, where it is reasonably available.

What to know before the test

  • Door supervision at licensed premises needs an SIA licence whether staff are in-house or contracted.
  • The section 182 guidance says the four licensing objectives in England and Wales are of equal importance.
  • Scotland has a fifth licensing objective: protecting and improving public health.
  • A drunk or disorderly person who refuses to leave licensed premises when asked commits an offence, and police must help expel them when asked.
  • Age verification policies must require photo ID with a date of birth and a hologram or UV feature from anyone who appears under 18.
  • Some drugs used in spiking leave the body in less than 12 hours, so report quickly.

Frequently asked questions

Do in-house door staff need an SIA licence?

Yes. Door supervision at premises licensed for alcohol on site or regulated entertainment needs an SIA licence whether you are employed by the venue or by a security company.

Can I refuse entry to someone who is drunk?

Yes. In England and Wales it is an offence under section 143 for a drunk or disorderly person to try to enter after being told not to. Refuse politely and think about their safety.

What ID can a customer use to prove their age?

Under the mandatory conditions in England and Wales, the policy must require photo ID showing a date of birth and a hologram or UV feature. Digital ID is allowed only through a registered digital verification service provider.

Does this course qualify me to work on the door?

No. You need an SIA door supervisor licence, which requires the licence-linked qualification from an approved provider and the SIA's checks. This course is background knowledge only.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Sources

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