Picture this: it's a busy Friday night, your bar is full, and everyone's having a great night. Even with all the hustle and bustle, you still have a responsibility to serve alcohol responsibly.
The consequences for the overservice of alcohol can be dire. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 37 people die in drunk-driving-related crashes every day.1
In addition to that sobering statistic, non-compliance with alcohol service laws can lead to hefty fines, jail time, and even suspension of your establishment’s liquor license.
But what does it really mean to serve alcohol responsibly? Read on to learn all about alcohol server training–and how it can protect and benefit your customers and establishment.
We’ll cover:
Why should I take an alcohol server training?
Who is considered an alcohol server?
Where is alcohol server training legally required?
When should I complete alcohol server training?
What does alcohol server training cover?
Why should I take an alcohol server training?
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that, in the United States, about 178,000 people die from excessive drinking each year.2
Since data analysis has found that 21% of total sales at full-service restaurants are attributed to alcoholic beverages, it makes sense that bartenders and service staff must understand what responsible alcohol service means.3
Alcohol server training will help you understand and comply with the rules and regulations surrounding alcohol service and the effects of alcohol on customers.
A certificate of completion or responsible alcohol server certification demonstrates a commitment to public safety and can also protect you and your business from potential legal issues.
Who is considered an alcohol server?
An alcohol server is anyone involved in the sale or service of alcohol.
Essentially, if you’re handing a drink to a customer, you're considered an alcohol server.
Bartenders, servers, liquor store workers, event staff, barbacks, hotel staff, and even people working in stadiums or concert venues selling open containers of alcohol are all considered alcohol servers.
It’s not limited to people who physically hand drinks to customers. Managers, security staff, and liquor store cashiers may need this training for compliance and safety.
What’s the difference between a bartending license and an alcohol server certification?
State or local governments issue a bartending license, and these courses focus solely on the legal aspects of alcohol service, such as age verification and hours of sale.
On the other hand, alcohol server certification goes beyond legality and covers techniques for managing difficult situations and ensuring customer safety.
Where is alcohol server training legally required?
Technically, anyone who sells or serves alcohol should complete some sort of alcohol server training, including bartenders and servers in restaurants and bars, liquor store staff who handle alcohol sales, event staff serving open alcohol containers, and even hotel workers managing mini-bars or room service.
Essentially, if you’re in a position where you handle or serve alcohol, you need training.
Most states require some level of training for those who sell and serve alcohol on premises, though not all mandate formal certification.
Because overserving a customer has legal ramifications, it’s in an establishment's best interest to ensure its staff has the proper training. Otherwise, it could cost the business its liquor license and result in lawsuits, fines, or permanent closure.
Though the exact laws vary among states and jurisdictions, let’s review some common laws governing alcohol service.
Dram shop laws
Dram Shop Laws tend to be the most basic–and most common–alcohol-related statutes.
A “dram shop” is any commercial business, like a bar, where alcoholic beverages are sold.
These make the business (or the server) legally responsible if an overserved customer causes someone else bodily harm. There tends to be additional liability for serving alcohol to underage customers.
State-specific requirements
Different states have unique requirements for alcohol server training. For example, Florida doesn’t require servers to hold an alcohol server card. However, most Florida employers require their staff to complete a course to ensure the operator qualifies for a responsible vendor license.4
States like Ohio, Colorado, Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania require alcohol server training. Some states are more strict than others. For example, Rhode Island requires alcohol server training for bar and restaurant workers and any staff who check for identification and valet parking staff.
Other states do not have statewide requirements. Instead, alcohol service regulations (typically Dram Shop Laws) are handled at the county and city levels.
You can search the National Conference of State Legislatures for the regulations that apply to your jurisdiction.5
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission's (TABC) Safe Harbor Rule
While alcohol server training generally protects the server and the establishment, the Lone Star State’s Safe Harbor Rule specifically protects an establishment’s liquor license.
If the owner of a bar, restaurant, or private club ensures their staff all receive alcohol server training within 30 days of hire, the establishment is protected from legal repercussions if one of their team members serves an underage or visibly intoxicated customer.6
The alcohol server would still be held responsible for the violation.
When should I complete alcohol server training?
The timeline for completing an alcohol server training depends entirely on where you work.
In Vermont, anyone involved in selling or serving alcoholic beverages must complete training before they begin working in that capacity. In Indiana, servers have 120 days from their hire date to complete alcohol server training, and in Rhode Island, they have 60 days.
Always confirm the specific requirements for your state, county, and city with your employer and local government.
What does alcohol server training cover?
Each alcohol server training course–and each state that requires it–will be slightly different. However, there are some key topics every course should address.
A comprehensive alcohol server training course should include the responsibilities of a server, an overview of alcohol’s effects on the body, checking identification, preventing service to minors, identifying intoxication, refusing alcohol service, and maintaining incident and compliance records.
Do I need to pass an exam to become alcohol server certified?
Testing requirements vary from state to state. Some states require a formal exam, some require a pre-test and final exam, and others simply require you to complete the course.
Each state with alcohol server training requirements maintains a list of approved providers. Always check with your local jurisdiction to ensure you choose a course that meets your state’s and employer’s standards.
Why alcohol server training is always a smart choice
Even if not legally required, alcohol server training helps protect customers, staff, and businesses from the consequences of overservice and service to minors. By integrating alcohol server training into your operations, you’re not just following the law; you’re committing to the safety and well-being of your customers and community. We’ll raise a glass to that!
Sources:
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Drunk Driving
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Centers for Disease Control: Facts About U.S. Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use
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National Restaurant Association: Alcohol beverage services overflowing with potential to draw customers, drive sales
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Florida State Legislature: The 2024 Florida Statutes
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The National Conference of State Legislatures: Research & Policy
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Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission: TABC Certification
