Which States Require Alcohol Server Training?

If you’re looking to start a job as a bartender, server, or alcohol seller, you might be wondering whether your state requires alcohol server training. Many states have voluntary, or even mandatory, training programs to ensure responsible alcohol service and compliance with local laws.

In this guide, we break down which states require alcohol server training, why it matters, and how to find the best online alcohol training program that’s right for you.

What Is Alcohol Server Training?

Alcohol server training, sometimes called responsible beverage service training or bartender certification, is regulatory training that teaches people who serve or sell alcohol how to comply with state alcohol service laws.

The curriculum typically covers:

• BAC and the science of alcohol intoxication
• How to identify intoxicated persons
• How to prevent underage drinking
• Strategies for refusing service and avoiding illegal sales
• Relevant state and/or local liquor laws

For the purposes of this article, we want to make a distinction between what we’re calling alcohol server/seller training and the training required for liquor licensees. Mandatory training on alcohol laws is nearly universal for business owners to whom a liquor license is issued. Some jurisdictions also include managerial staff. These regulations may use similar naming language, which can be confusing.

When we refer to alcohol server/seller training below, we’re talking specifically about requirements targeted at frontline employees who interact with customers.

Is Alcohol Server Training Required?

Alcohol server training is regulated in most U.S. jurisdictions, meaning a state or local government has set standards for state-approved alcohol server certification courses and created either penalties for not ensuring that servers complete training (in which case the jurisdiction has mandatory training) or benefits for employing only trained servers (in which case the jurisdiction has voluntary training).

Only a few states don’t regulate alcohol server training. In states like Kansas, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, and West Virginia, there are no regulations – state or local – that apply. In Hawaii, Idaho, Missouri, and New Jersey, regulations do exist in a few local jurisdictions, but there is no program in the rest of the state.  Kentucky also has no state program, but most local jurisdictions have instituted either voluntary or mandatory training.

All other states regulate alcohol server training for bartenders and servers. Mandatory training is quite common, but even in jurisdictions with voluntary training, business owners or managers may require alcohol server training to reduce the likelihood of illegal sales. In these cases, the training might as well be mandatory because finding a job without the requirement is difficult.

Why Do Some States Require Mandatory Training?

Mandatory alcohol server training is seen as a way to reduce alcohol-related crimes and promote public safety. After all, people can’t obey the law if they don’t know it. The best way to ensure that state alcohol laws are followed is to directly educate the employees who handle alcohol sales or service.

Alcohol server training requirements started in the late 1980s as part of an effort to reduce drunk driving and underage drinking.

Now that you know why, the next question is, “Which states require alcohol server training?”

States That Require Mandatory Alcohol Server Training

There are state laws requiring training for alcohol servers in the following states:

• Alaska
• California (RBS training)
• Delaware
• Illinois (BASSET certification)
• Indiana
• Louisiana
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Vermont

Additionally, there are cities, counties, or townships in a few states that require alcohol server training even when the state considers training voluntary or has no relevant law at all. This includes local jurisdictions in:

• Alabama
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• North Dakota
• Wyoming

Why Do Some States Have Voluntary Alcohol Server Training?

Some states have programs that initiate training for alcohol servers but leave it voluntary for most employees.

The justification behind voluntary alcohol server training is similar to that of mandatory training: it protects public safety by promoting responsible alcohol service.

However, some voluntary programs were developed partly at the request of liquor-licensed businesses – bars and restaurants wanted a way to limit their administrative or criminal liability in the event that an individual employee was careless.  For example, requiring employees to complete Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission (TABC) approved server training can reduce penalties if violations occur.

In many places, state-approved alcohol server certification courses can also be used as a defense in a civil suit.

States With Voluntary Alcohol Server Training

Almost half of state governments have chosen to make their alcohol server training program voluntary, including:

• Alabama (except where mandatory)
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Georgia (except where mandatory)
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Maine (except where mandatory)
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New York (ATAP training)
• North Carolina
• North Dakota (except where mandatory)
• Ohio
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Texas (TABC certification)
• Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming (except where mandatory)
• District of Columbia

While training for your typical server is voluntary, many of these jurisdictions do mandate training for managers and/or licensees.

How to Get Bartender Certification in Your State

The process for getting state-approved alcohol server certification will depend on the requirements where you are.

In all cases, the first step is finding an approved alcohol server program for your jurisdiction. Many states allow online alcohol training, which can make earning your bartender certification fast, easy, and convenient.

TIPS training is considered one of the best online alcohol server training programs, widely accepted, and popular with employers. You’ll learn everything you need, including the skills to identify potentially illegal sales and how to refuse service without escalating the situation.

Are you a business owner looking for solutions? Check out our TIPS Passports and get a bulk price on the training you need.

Get started today!