Information for centres

Detailed operational information that centres will require to deliver our alcohol licensing qualifications.

Operational handbook

The Operational Handbook gives operational details that centres must follow if they offer, or wish to offer, SQA Licensing qualifications.

The Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders and the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (Refresher) are assessed by an externally set, multiple choice examination with 40 questions.

The Scottish Certificate for Safe Sale and Service of Alcohol is assessed by an externally set, multiple choice examination with 25 questions.

Group Award Code Qualification SCQF level Duration of training Duration of exam
GR7R 46 Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders 6 10 hours (6 hours of direct learning and 4 hours of self-study) 1 hour
GR7T 46 Scottish Cert for Personal Licence Holders (refresher) 6 3 hours 1 hour
GR7P 45 Scottish Certificate for Safe Sale of Alcohol 5 Half day 45 minutes

Current entry/certification and handbook fees

  • SCPLH: £30 and £8 for the candidate handbook
  • SCPLH (Refresher): £30 thereafter and £8 for the candidate handbook
  • SCSSSA: £12 and £5 for the candidate handbook

Tutor and course delivery material

Comprehensive candidate handbooks are available to support all three qualifications. Candidates should be issued with a handbook prior to their course.

Handbooks for the SCPLH courses are £8 each. The SCSSA handbooks are £5 each. Approved centres can place an order by contacting our Business Development and Customer Support Team.

Tel: 0303 333 0330
Contact My Centre

Please quote the publication code when placing your order:

  • Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders/Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (Refresher) Handbook — publication code EB8283
  • Scottish Certificate for Safe Sale and Service of Alcohol Handbook — publication code EB8284

Tutor notes, PowerPoint presentations and activities can be downloaded by SQA-approved centres from the password-protected area below.

Alcohol Licensing Materials

Course notification

It is a requirement that centres notify SQA of the date, time and exact location of each test session that they propose to run, including re-sits. Centres must notify SQA of their course dates using the Course notification form 

At least 5 days' notice should be given of planned course dates.

For information on our electronic e-assessment and e-testing platform (SOLAR) please visit www.sqasolar.org.uk

Marker's report

The marking of question papers for these qualifications has been devolved to centres. Each centre must complete a brief marker’s report after each examination. This provides SQA with information on pass rates and provides qualitative feedback on the performance of candidates. It is also an opportunity for centres to comment on any aspect of the question papers.

The completed form should be emailed to licensing qualifications@sqa.org.uk within 10 working days of the examination date. A copy of the marker’s report, signed by the marker and an internal verifier should be retained with the completed question papers.

Please use the following link to download the marker report form:

Examination Paper Control Document

Please use the following link to download an example of an exam paper control document.

Invigilator Incident Report Form