Police Officers in England and Wales to Require Licence to Practise

The Home Office has introduced a policy requiring police officers in England and Wales to obtain and periodically renew a Licence to Practise. This measure forms part of broader reforms outlined in a recent policing white paper.

According to the Home Office, the new licensing system will apply to all police officers working in England and Wales. Officers will need to demonstrate that they meet specific professional standards when applying for or renewing their licence in order to continue serving in their positions.

If an officer does not meet the required standards during the licence application or renewal process, and fails to do so after being given additional opportunities, the policy states that the officer will be dismissed. The Home Office said this approach is designed to maintain consistent professional standards across police forces.

The licence requirement is intended to ensure officers remain up to date with changes in criminal activity and policing standards. The policy specifically mentions areas such as neighbourhood policing and efforts to address violence against women and girls as key focuses for ongoing professional development.

What the numbers show

• The independent report recommended licence renewal every five years
• The Home Office announced the new policy on 24 January 2026
• Officers may be dismissed after failing to meet standards following further opportunities

The reforms, including the Licence to Practise, are part of a wider strategy presented in the white paper titled 'From local to national: a new model for policing'. This document sets out several proposed changes to the structure and oversight of policing in England and Wales.

An independent report previously recommended the introduction of a licence to practise for police officers. The report suggested a five-year renewal period, with continued professional development as a requirement and revocation of the licence after repeated failures to meet standards.

The Home Office has stated that the new licensing system aims to support ongoing training and professional growth for officers. The policy is also intended to help police forces respond to evolving forms of crime and maintain public confidence in policing practices.

These changes reflect recommendations from external reviews and are part of a broader effort to update policing frameworks. The Home Office has indicated that further details on implementation and oversight will be provided as the reforms progress.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.