Manager's Certificate and Renewal
To ensure that the sale and supply of alcohol takes place responsibly, it is a legal requirement under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 that you have a licence before you can sell or supply alcohol.
Applying for a Manager's Certificate Information:
What is a manager’s certificate?
A manager's certificate allows the holder to be appointed as a duty manager of a licensed premises for the purposes of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
There is now only one type of certificate:
Manager's Certificate - duty manager for any licensed premises.
When is a duty manager required?
A person holding a manager's certificate must be on duty at all times when liquor is being sold or supplied to the public on any licensed premises.
What are the obligations of a duty manager?
The duty manager is responsible for the compliance with, and enforcement of, the provisions of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and the conditions of the licence in force on the premises.
At all times while on duty, the name of the manager must be prominently displayed inside the premises so as to be easily read by persons using the premises.
Making an application
Complete an application for manager's certificate. Ensure all required documentations is attached as outlined in the application checklist.
Applicants must be 20 years of age or over.
Criteria
Your suitability to hold a manager's certificate will be assessed in accordance with the following criteria:
Character and reputation (must be shown in written references)
Experience working in licensed premises (a reasonable amount of recent experience is required)
Relevant training and qualifications - applicants are required to have the LCQ (Licence Controller Qualification).
You must be currently working in the liquor industry - proof is required within your references and premise detail completed in the application.
Qualification Documentation Required
Please provide ONE of the following
A Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ) under the former Act - SOLA 1989 along with the LCQ bridging certificate, OR
An LCQ under the current Act, OR
A letter from a training provider that says that the applicant has successfully completed the required unit standards (and version), being 4646 (version 8 or later) and 16705 (version 5 or later).
Course providers
Wintec - Hamilton Phone: (07) 834 8850, Email: [email protected]
The Training Bureau - Hamilton Day and evening courses, correspondence Phone: 0800 227 872, Email: [email protected]
Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ) Bridging Test
If your LCQ was issued under the Sale of Liquor Act 1989, you are also required to complete a LCQ Bridging Test. The Bridging Test updates LCQ holders and tests their knowledge of changes in legal obligations under the new Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
The test contains 20 multiple-choice questions and is free of charge (to existing LCQ holders).
Upon successful completion of the test you will be able to print a digital LCQ Bridging Test certificate and the must be included in your application for renewal, along with your current LCQ Certificate.
The test can be completed online at www.serviceiqskillsonline.org.nz
Procedure
If your application is complete and all required documentation is provided, reports will be requested from the Police and the Licensing Inspector. All applicants will be required to attend an interview with the Licensing Inspector which will include a test on the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.
How long will my application take to process?
A complete application will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks to process. This period may be longer if an application is incomplete or there is opposition from the Police or the Licensing Inspector.
If there is opposition and you wish to pursue your application, a hearing will be held by the District Licensing Committee (DLC). In this situation you should expect a delay of some months before your application is determined.
Renewal Applications
It is the responsibility of the holder of a manager's certificate to ensure they renew their certificate on time.
A renewal application must be filed prior to the expiry date, which is one year after date of issue and then every three years.
If you let you certificate expire, a new application will need to be filed.
Suspension/cancellation of a manager's certificate
The Police or Licensing Inspector can apply to the District Licensing Committee (DLC) to oppose manager certificate applications if it is felt that the manager failed to conduct a licensed premises in a proper manner or the conduct of the manager indicates that he or she is not a suitable person to hold the certificate.
If the Police or Licensing Inspector lodge a cancellation or suspension application, this is required to be sent to Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA) for determination. These applications can be made at any time, not just renewal time.
Temporary manager
A temporary manager can be appointed if a manager is ill or absent for any reason or resigns. The licensee may appoint a person who is not the holder of a manager's certificate as a temporary manager.
The person appointed as a temporary manager must apply for a managers certificate within two working days. Failure to do this will result in the appointment as a temporary manager invalid. He or she may then continue as a temporary manager until the application for a manager's certificate is determined.
A Notification of Management Change form must be completed and sent to the District Licensing Committee (DLC) and Police. The DLC has 5 working days to advise that they do not approve of the appointment.
Acting manager
An acting manager can be appointed when a manager is ill or absent for a maximum of 3 weeks. It is not necessary for this person to apply for a manager's certificate. Once again the Notification of Management Change for must be completed.
Applying for a Manager's Certificate - Renewal Information:
Club and General Manager Certificates ceased to exist as at 18 December 2013, the certificate is now known simply as a Manager's Certificate.
It is the responsibility of the holder of a manager's certificate to ensure they renew their certificate on time.
A renewal application must be filed prior to the expiry date, which is one year after date of issue and then every three years.
The renewal application must be filed with the District Licensing Committee for the district which the applicant is employed.
If you let your certificate expire, a new application will need to be filed.
The process for applying for a renewal is the same as filing for a new manager's certificate. You must still meet all the criteria.