Tono tiwhikete kaiwhakahaere (waipiro) Apply for a manager's certificate (alcohol)

Managers of licensed businesses need to complete specific training and qualifications and comply with New Zealand's alcohol laws.

Managers have to complete two unit standards from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority:

• 4646 - Demonstrate knowledge of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
• 16705 - Demonstrate knowledge of host responsibility requirements as a duty manager of licensed premises.

When you complete the unit standards, your training provider will provide you with proof that you have successfully completed the unit standards.

You must also have at least three months recent experience managing the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol on a licensed premises in New Zealand, as a temporary or acting manager, or under the guidance of a certified manager. 

Before you apply for a manager's certificate, you'll need to have completed the New Zealand Qualification Authority’s unit standards 4646 (version 8 or later) and 16705 (version 5 or later) or hold what was known as the Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ) or a Licence Controller Qualification Bridging Test.

You must be employed in or about to start work in the industry.

To apply you will need:

• the original application form
• a copy of photo identification
• a copy of your LCQ certificate or proof from your training provider that you have successfully completed unit standards 4646 and 16705
• a copy of your LCQ Bridging Test certificate (if applicable)
• at least three months recent experience managing the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol on a licensed premises in New Zealand. This can be as a temporary or acting manager, or under the guidance of a certified manager
• a letter from your employer or your club, confirming that you are employed there (if currently employed at a licensed business).

Under the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority, you must also be able to speak English well enough to be able to hold a conversation with the alcohol licensing inspector that conducts your interview. 

How to apply for a manager's certificate

Online

Visit Ways to pay online for information on all payment options.

In person

​Bring your completed application form and supporting documents to one of our libraries with council services and pay by:

• EFTPOS
• Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

Once we receive your application and check necessary information, we will contact you to arrange an interview with an alcohol licensing inspector​.​

What happens in the interview

Your interview:

• can take up to an hour
• is held individually (or as a group in some cases).

The inspector will assess your knowledge of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and if you are suitable to control a licensed business.

The inspector will take you through a number of scenarios covering:

• The object Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
• minors
• intoxication
• host responsibility
• manager's duties.

You have to be knowledgeable in all these topics.

After the interview

Within two weeks after your interview the inspector will report to the District Licensing Committee on your application. If you successfully complete the interview and the licensing inspector and the police do not oppose your application, the District Licensing Committee will consider the application without the need for a hearing.

If you do not successfully complete the interview or the licensing inspector or the police oppose your application, the District Licensing Committee will call a hearing to consider the application.

If your application is approved, your new manager's certificate is valid for one year.

Conditions of a manager's certificate

• We can only grant or renew a manager's certificate if you are currently working at a licensed business.    
• If you cannot provide evidence that you are currently working at a licensed business, we may oppose your application and forward it to the District Licensing Committee for further consideration.
• If this is the case, you may need to attend a public hearing to determine whether a certificate should be granted.
• Manager's certificates are portable, which means you can also perform the duties and responsibilities of a manager in another business, unless you are restricted by an arrangement made with the inspector or the police.

Keep manager records up-to-date

Licensed premises must keep a record of every manager, including:

• full managers
• acting managers
• temporary managers.

Records must include:

• the date they were appointed
• the date the appointment was terminated.

When you need to renew your manager's certificate

We need to receive your application form no later than the day before your current certificate expires.

So if your certificate says "this certificate expires on 15 August 2022”, or "this certificate expires at the close of 14 August 2022", we must receive your renewal application by 14 August 2022.

What you need to renew your manager's certificate

• A completed application form.
• A copy of your photo identification.
• A letter from your employer or your club, confirming that you are employed there.
• A copy of your existing manager’s certificate.
• Payment of a non-refundable fee.

Manager's certificate renewal fee

How to renew your manager's certificate

Online

Visit Ways to pay online for information on all payment options.

In person

Bring your completed application form and supporting documents to one of our libraries with council services and pay by:

• EFTPOS
• Visa, MasterCard or American Express.