Child performance licences are granted by the local education authority (LEA) for wherever the child lives. A licence is required for any performance for which a charge is made (even if no charge is made for admission), any performance at licensed premises or in a licensed club, and any performance that is broadcast or is being filmed or recorded for public exhibition or broadcast. Understudies must also be licensed. There are exceptions. Performances arranged by schools (not drama and performing arts schools) do not need to be licensed. Also exempt are performances put on by bodies approved by the Secretary of State or by the relevant LEA (for example, amateur dramatic societies, churches, Scout groups and youth organisations) and activities that the relevant LEA does not consider to be a performance (for example, children being interviewed or filmed while taking part in a normal activity such as attending ordinary school lessons, playing in the park or visiting a youth club).

It is the responsibility of the producer presenting a performance to apply for a child’s performance licence, such application to be countersigned by the child’s parent or guardian. The producer will be the licence-holder and, once a licence is granted, will be responsible for observing the restrictions and conditions of the licence and keeping appropriate records. The licence application must be made at least 21 days before the first performance and should specify the number of performance days for which the licence is required and the period that the licence will cover (a maximum of six months), together with a lot of other information. Before granting a licence, the relevant LEA must be satisfied that the child’s education will not suffer, the child’s health will not suffer, the place of performance or rehearsal is satisfactory, and the conditions of the licence will be observed. The education, health and welfare of each child are paramount and LEAs are empowered to revoke licences if they consider that licence conditions are not being complied with.

All licences granted for child performers must contain conditions obliging the licence-holder to ensure that, during the performance period, the child is cared for by a chaperone licensed by the LEA and provision is made for that child’s education to continue without interruption. The LEA may (and sometimes must) ask for a medical report on the child before, during or after performance. A letter of permission from the child's headteacher may also be required. The licence conditions will also limit the days on which a child can perform (for stage performances this is six days out of seven and for film and television performances this is five days out of seven) and the earliest and latest times that a child may take part in a performance. The LEA must also approve venues for performances and rehearsals, including arrangements for meals, sanitary and washing facilities, and dressing rooms.

Child licensing regulation is currently under review and could be subject to change soon.