Get a job in licensing

What do licensing practitoners do?

Licensing practitioners ensure that people and companies abide by the terms and conditions of those licences. For example, they check that licensed minicabs are safe to ride in and inspect entertainment venues such as nightclubs to be sure that they follow health and safety regulations and local by-laws.  They ensure that the public are protected from hazardous activities, such as using fireworks or explosives; that financial interests are protected through consumer credit licensing, or that children and vulnerable people are protected from exposure to gambling activities.

This means a combination of office work, for example helping people to fill in application forms, and inspection work, which can mean working in the evenings or at weekends. Salaries start at about £15,000 in support positions and range up to about £35,000 for experienced officers – experienced managers can expect even more.

What skills are needed?
Excellent communication skills are essential. Officers deal with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and may sometimes need to appear in court. There are  certificate courses available, as well as university-based qualifications.  The Institute of Licensing is developing a portfolio of qualifications to support the modern licensing practitioner, and has introduced a continuing professional development scheme.

What opportunities are available?
Jeffrey Leib, a vice-chairman of the Institute of Licensing, says that demand for licensing officers is more dynamic and project-focused than ever before, in many councils moving away from pure bureaucracy – although admitting that is still a fundamental part of the job.

Local authority regulatory services – such as trading standards, environmental health and licensing – are now in the spotlight.  Licensing plays a key part in community safety by helping to protect public health through animal licensing, or preventing crime and disorder through its work on alcohol licensing, a fact recognised by the 2006 Rogers Review which placed the topic amongst the top six national priorities for local authority regulators.  

There are also plenty of opportunities in private practice.  Lawyers regularly advice clients and organisations (such as national pub chains or licensing authorities) on licensing and registration issues, and licensing consultants can also represent clients at many licensing hearings and make applications on their behalf.  There is a growing market, too, for licensing trainers.

© Institute of Licensing 2008
Based on an article first published in The Times, 14 December 2004