Credit Licence
Why a Consumer Credit licence is needed
If a business offers credit or lends money to consumers, or allows customers time to pay for goods and services, it must be licensed with the Consumer Credit Licensing Bureau of the Office of Fair Trading under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
Who needs a Consumer Credit licence?
The following types of business must be licensed with the Office of Fair Trading:
- consumer credit
- consumer hire
- debit adjusting and debt counselling
- debt collecting
- credit reference agencies
- canvassing credit off trade premises
Office of Fair Trading
The Office of Fair Trading 
holds a public record of all licensed traders and of all those who have applied for a licence. They can provide details to the public about its licensed businesses, such as the type of activities they cover, their authorised trading names and main business address.
The Consumer Credit Register (also known as the Public Register) is now available on line at www.oft.gov.uk/ConsumerCreditRegister .
The Office of Fair Trading has a statutory duty under the Consumer Credit 1974 to make information available via a Public Register. The Consumer Credit Register provides details of applications for, and holders of, consumer credit licences, both current and past. It also contains details of the OFT's decision to refuse an application or revoke a consumer credit licence as well as information relating to any appeal to the Secretary of State against this decision.
How to apply for a Consumer Credit licence
Please note that you are unable to apply online for a licence. For further information please see the Office of Fair Trading website. You can also e-mail us for a copy of the application form.
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