Full Professional Jockeys
To obtain a Jockey's licence an application is made to the Licensing Committee. The applicant's relevant experience and medical condition is considered and a personal interview may be necessary before a licence is granted.

Applications who are not nationals of a European Economic Area country are also reminded they may require work permits. Application forms and guidance notes are obtainable from Work Permits (UK), Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office, Level 5, Moorfoot, Sheffield, S1 4PQ. Tel: 0114 259 3710 - Fax: 0114 259 4987.

Internet Site: www.workpermits.gov.uk
Email: ents.workpermits@wpuk.gov.uk

Work Permits will only be granted to Jockeys who are internationally established at the highest level.

To warrant annual renewal a jockey is expected to have at least 25 rides per season.

With the exception of those riders who have gained experience and enjoyed success under the rules of other recognised racing authorities (i.e. Ireland, U.S.A., South Africa etc.), all full professional jockeys riding in this country will have previously held either an apprentice or conditional jockeys' licence, or ridden as an amateur rider in Great Britain.

Apprentice and Conditional Jockeys
To compensate for their initial lack of experience and success in comparison to fully licensed jockeys, young jockeys at the beginning of their careers claim a weight allowance and ride as "apprentices" on the Flat and as "conditionals" under National Hunt Rules. All apprentice and conditional jockeys must be in full time employment of the trainer. That trainer takes responsibility for where and what horses the jockey rides. It is the trainer who decides when the jockey is competent and ready to race-ride, and the trainer who makes the initial application to the British Horseracing Authority on behalf of the rider.

Prior to making an application, the prospective jockey is required to attend and satisfactorily complete a five-day course at either the British Racing School or Northern Racing College. He must also undergo a medical examination and meet Medical Standards as to fitness to ride and Assessment of Concussion protocol.

Once a licence is granted, the apprentice or conditionals' progress is monitored and he is expected to progress in the amount of rides he has from one season to the next. They will attend a Continuation Training Course each year at the British Racing School during the early years of their career. On winning 20 races in the case of an apprentice, or 15 races in the case of a conditional, the jockey will be expected to attend a five-day Advanced course at the British Racing School which is the third tier of training. When he has either ridden out his claim or passed the age limit to hold an apprentice's or conditional's licence, the jockey should apply for a full professional jockey's licence.

Apprentices and Conditionals are entitled to claim an allowance when riding against full professional jockeys. The allowances range from 7lb to 3lb depending on how many winners the jockey has ridden. Jockeys may ride as apprentices between the ages of 16 and 25, while the age limit for conditionals is 26. At this time Apprentices will lose their claim, if they have not already ridden it out.

Riders' allowances may be claimed as follows:

Apprentices:

• 7lb until they have won 20 races;
  
• 5lb until they have won 50 races;
  
• 3lb until they have won 95 races.
  

Conditionals:

• 7lb until they have won 20 races;
  
• 5lb until they have won 40 races;
  
• 3lb until they have won 75 races.
  

For a jump jockeys' riding licence:
Application form
Application Accompanying letter
Medical report form

For a flat jockeys' riding licence:
Application form
Application Accompanying letter
Medical report form

For an apprentice jockeys' riding licence:
Application form
Medical report form
Accompanying letter

For a conditional jockeys' riding licence:
Application form
Medical report form
Accompanying letter