CALIFORNIA RESPONSIBLE BEVERAGE SERVER (RBS) TRAINING

Age to Sell 

18, but an off-sale licensee may employ a person under the age of 18 if that person is under the continuous supervision of a person 21 years of age or older.

Gasoline/petroleum stations with convenience stores that sell beer and wine for off-premises consumption may only employ persons over the age of 21 between the hours of 10:00 pm and 2:00 am.

Acceptable Forms of ID 

Documentary Evidence of Age and Identity:

To be suitable as evidence for defense, the identification card must be issued by a governmental agency and have a current description and a picture of the person presenting it which reasonably describes the person as to date of birth, weight, height, sex, and color of eyes and hair. No defense will exist if the card has obviously been altered or has expired.

In the event an Armed Forces identification card, Passport, or Passport Card is provided as proof of identity and lacks a physical description, but does include a date of birth and a photo, further proof of identity shall not be required.

A registration certificate issued under the Federal Selective Service Act is no longer considered documentary evidence of age, identity, and date of birth.

Green cards and International Driver's Licenses are NOT acceptable forms of ID.

Notes on Selling or Serving 

The sale of alcoholic beverages at self-service checkout stands in all format retail stores is prohibited.

Age to Serve

The minimum age for serving alcoholic beverages is 21, except any person between 18 and 21 years of age employed in any bona fide public eating place, which is licensed for the on-sale of alcoholic beverages, may serve alcoholic beverages to consumers only if such service occurs in an area primarily designed and used for the sale and service of food for consumption on the premises, and the primary duties of the employee shall be the service of meals to guests, with the service of alcoholic beverages being incidental to such duties.

All hotel/motel/etc. employees handling the alcoholic beverages to be placed in the controlled access alcoholic beverage cabinet in any guestroom, including, but not limited to, any employee who inventories or restocks and replenishes the alcoholic beverages in the controlled access alcoholic beverage cabinet, must be at least 21 years of age.

Dram Shop Liability Laws

There is no Dram Shop Liability in California, except when alcohol is served, sold, or otherwise provided to an obviously intoxicated minor. In such a case the server, seller, or provider may be held liable for damages.