Making an application

On 6 April 2008 certain changes to the statutory test of fitness to hold a consumer credit licence came into effect. These changes result from the Consumer Credit Act 2006.  As a result we now apply a more rigorous test of fitness to those applicants who apply for certain categories of licence that we consider pose a higher risk to consumers.  Those applying for these categories have to satisfy the OFT that they are both fit and competent to engage in higher risk activities. 

All traders should therefore only apply for those licence categories that cover the activities they propose to carry out in the course of their business. Applying for a high risk category which you do not need will mean that your application will be subject to more detailed scrutiny and you will be required to provide additional detailed information that otherwise would not be required. We may also need to visit you onsite. This may add to the time taken to process your application.  

If you incorrectly apply for any non-commercial categories when in fact your business is operating on a commercial basis this will delay the processing of your application. Almost all businesses applying for a consumer credit licence will be operating on a commercial basis. If you or an associate charge a fee or otherwise receive remuneration in the course of carrying on any consumer credit or ancillary credit business you are operating on a commercial basis. The only organisations or institutions likely to require 'non-commercial' licence categories are non-fee charging charities or similarly altruistic organisations.

Our current processing times

Many applications are currently being sent to us having been completed incorrectly and this is causing processing delays. 

Based on current performance approximately 85 per cent of straightforward applications including only lower risk credit categories are being completed within 55 working days of receipt. We are working to reduce this processing time and will update this page as this period changes.      

Where applications include high risk licence categories we anticipate approximately 90 per cent being processed within 75 working days of receipt.

We are currently experiencing significant delays in the processing of renewal applications, partly due to the numbers of incorrect applications we are receiving. Some types of notifications updating licensee information are also being delayed.  If a new application for a lower risk licence has been delayed beyond 55 working days or a higher risk application delayed beyond 75 working days and you experience difficulties contacting our enquiries team it can be contacted by email at enquiries@oft.gov.uk of by fax on 020 7211 8605. Please mark enquiries for the attention of the Credit Licence Enquiry Team.  

Where delays in processing are likely to cause particular hardship and this is brought to our attention, we do our best to prioritise applications depending on the type of application and particular circumstances. If you believe that this applies to you please send an email to ccl@oft.gsi.gov.uk. Please note priority will not be given automatically on request.  

Please see the general guidance for licensees and applicants on fitness and requirements (pdf 147 kb).

Completing an application form

You can apply online for a new licence or to renew or to vary an existing licence.

If you are not able to apply online, you can download the relevant form below. The forms should be printed, completed in black ink and capital letters, and posted to the OFT at the address below.

You must ensure that you have printed, completed and fastened together all of the pages before you send the form to us. We are unable to accept partial or incomplete forms – these will be returned to you for completion and we will ask you to recheck the information already submitted in case there have been any recent changes that could affect your application. This will delay your application.

See fees page for details of how much it costs to apply for, renew, or vary a licensing agreement.

Before you complete your form(s), you should read the information on these pages about consumer credit licensing. Alternatively, read our introductory guide to consumer credit licensing, 'Do you need a credit licence?'

Download Do you need a credit licence? (pdf 236 kb).

Renewal forms

You can apply to renew online up to one month prior to the expiry of your licence. Renewal forms cannot be downloaded from this website so if you do not intend to renew on line and need a paper form contact the OFT and ask them to send you a renewal pack when your licence nears expiry. We do not allow renewals to be made until one calendar month prior to expiry so please do not apply early. We published a general notice (pdf 42 kb) about this in December 2007.

If you have not heard from us within three weeks of your licence expiry date, please contact us. Please note that a licence remains valid while the renewal is being processed as long as we receive your renewal application prior to the expiry date. Please pass this information on to organisations who may be concerned about a licence lapsing.

Forms

New applications received prior to 6 April 2008 will be processed and generate a five year licence. Online applications under the old regime had to be made before Office closed on Friday 4 April 2008. The new version of the online new application form was made available from Monday 7 April 2008.

We do not accept old style new application forms completed on or before the 6 April 2008 if the new fee is due, neither do we accept old style new application forms received on or after 6 April 2008. All the forms below are pdf files. Paper versions of the forms are also available from the address below.

CC1C/08 Application for a consumer credit licence for a partnership, company or other organisation (176 kb)

CC1S/08 Application for a consumer credit licence for a sole trader (136 kb)

CC15/08 Application to vary a consumer credit licence for all licence holders (112 kb)

CC8C/08 Notification of changes to a consumer credit licence for a partnership, company or other organisation (132 kb)

CC8S/08 Notification of changes to a consumer credit licence for a sole trader (64 kb)

CC12/08 Notification of changes to company controllers for a limited company or limited liability partnership (148 kb)

CCVS/08 Notice of the voluntary surrender of a consumer credit licence (76 kb)

Consumer Credit Licensing relocated to the OFT's office in central London in 2006. The address is:

Consumer Credit Licensing
PO Box 62691
London
EC4P 4UW

Telephone: 020 7211 8608
Email: enquiries@oft.gsi.gov.uk

Back to: Consumer credit licences