You can take the 5 bridging exams at ATPL level. You don't need to hold the licence. I did the ATPL (A) exams, then 5 CPL (H) exams, got the CPL(H) off the back of those then got the CPL (A).
If you're going to do both, for god's sake go to the US where you can credit massive amounts of hours, instruct for a bit, then convert to EASA. It'll cost you less than a third what you'd pay over here 😉
Last edited by rudestuff; 16th June 2020 at 06:52.