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Application guide

This section provides step-by-step guidance on how to apply for a licence. To find out if you require a licence please see the Do I need a licence page.

To apply for a licence you will need to complete the online compliance report licence application. The licence application process requires establishments to assess themselves against the HTA’s standards. Your responses will be used by the HTA to decide whether you meet the criteria to receive a licence. 

It will help you to complete your application if you read the information below before beginning your application. 

What you need to do to before you apply:

1. Check which compliance report licence application is relevant to you.

The HTA licenses activities in the following five sectors: storage of tissue for human application, anatomy, pathology, public display and research, and has developed compliance report licence application forms for each of these sectors. Before applying for a licence you should ensure that you are filling in the correct compliance report.

2. Choose suitable persons to fulfil the roles laid out in the Human Tissue Act.

There are three roles outlined in the Human Tissue Act: the Designated Individual, the Licence Holder and the Person(s) Designated as to whom the licence applies. The ‘Guide to licensing for Designated Individuals and Licence Holders’ sets out the roles of these individuals and recommended governance frameworks based on these roles. The guide will aid you in deciding who will carry out these roles.

3. Read the application guidance

The HTA has produced guidance notes to accompany each compliance report licence application.  These contain background information, information on how to apply and guidance on how to fill in the compliance report licence application. You should download and read this before applying.

4. Review the compliance report licence application with colleagues and prepare answers.

To help you prepare answers to the questions, you can download the compliance reports in advance of applying online. The Licence Holder and Designated Individual should work as a team to prepare answers to the application, along with other key members of staff within the establishment. Please do not complete and submit the PDF form – it is provided for reference only. 

5. Apply online

Once you have read all the relevant information and are ready to apply, go to the online application page. If you have any technical difficulties when applying online please email website@hta.gov.uk

6. Fees and payment

A licence fee will be payable. You can pay licence fees online or using other payment methods.