It’s hard to imagine something more dangerous than driving drunk. Even without the addition of alcohol, stepping into a car is a massive responsibility and one not to be taken lightly. When the driver is intoxicated, stepping into the car becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse, where you can only hope you won’t end up on the short end of the stick.

While preventing these disasters isn’t something that you can always control, those who are in a position of power to do so should always do their best to take on that responsibility. Some of those who can rectify these situations are bartenders. When patrons have been over-served alcohol, they’re going to be more likely to drive home drunk. However, as a server, it should be part of your alcohol server safety training to not let the patron either have too much or leave if you believe they are showing signs of over-intoxication.

This is where RBS Training comes in. The more familiar you are with the safety protocols, the easier it will be to act on them.

RBS Training and Why It’s Important

Responsible Beverage Service Training, or RBS Training, is a vital part of any bartending or service job. As a service professional, it is your responsibility to help keep your clients and patrons safe while they’re out having a good time and enjoying their drinks. The proper kind of training can help your patrons from being overserved alcohol.

When you, as a bartender or server, allow patrons to drink too much and allow them to be overserved with alcohol, there can be disastrous consequences. Not only could the patron go out and potentially cause an accident, but you can also face the consequences of your involvement.

According to the Dram Shop Act, you, as a person who serves alcohol, may cause your establishment or yourself to be held liable for any damages a patron may cause when they’ve been overserved alcohol. A third party may be able to come after you for damages, and you as the server may even be held criminally liable. Not to mention the potential legal fees and bad press that may result as well, causing damage to your business and brand.

With proper RBS training, bartenders and servers can use their knowledge to help identify potential issues with patrons and can more easily see the warning signs of over-intoxication. With these tools in their back pockets, they’re better prepared to keep things under control in their establishments.

Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk

Drunk driving is a terrible circumstance and one that can easily be prevented with the right care and attention to detail. According to the CDC, 11,654 people were killed because of vehicle accidents relating to impaired driving with alcohol in 2020. This number accounts for over 30% of all vehicle accidents in the whole of 2020. To cement the impact of that statistic even more, this means that in 2020, someone was killed because of a drunk driver every 45 minutes in the United States.

Drunk driving makes a massive impact on families, friends, and the community as a whole. When you allow an impaired driver to get behind the wheel of a car, you’re making a decision that could impact lives for years to come. It’s something that could affect not only the life of the patron, but the lives of any passersby, other drivers, the owner of the establishment, and even your own.

How to Prevent Drunk Driving

As a bartender or server, it’s part of your duty to stay vigilant and prevent your patrons from being overserved alcohol. With watchful eyes and careful training, as you’d receive from RBS training, you can help to prevent a potential tragedy from occurring.

Some of the ways that you can help are:

• Putting physically capable and observant door staff in place to assist with monitoring impairment
• Monitoring alcohol service by keeping count of patron’s drinks, watching patron behavior, and implementing a cutoff policy
• Stepping in early if you or another member of staff see something that could be a potential problem later on
• Having a standard operating procedure for issues that may arise or if a patron gets belligerent

Of course, no one is perfect. There are always going to be unforeseen circumstances and situations that may be out of your control. However, knowing what to look for and acting appropriately can help to prevent a tragedy from occurring. RBS training can help with that. 

RBS Training

If you’re an alcohol server or a bartender in California, then RBS certification in California is something you need to add to your roster if you haven’t already. This course details everything you need to know about the dangers of patrons being overserved alcohol, serving alcohol to minors, improper management, and everything else that comes with owning or working in an establishment with alcohol. It is mandated by the state of California if you handle alcoholic beverages as a server, bartender, manager, or if you are a bouncer who checks identification.

As a server, you take on a massive burden to uphold alcohol industry safety practices. It’s partly your responsibility to make sure that everyone who comes out to drink can have a good time, but that they’re also staying safe while doing it. It’s a heavy load to bear, but everyone needs to take responsibility for it, and RBS Training helps you to do that.

With our training program, we’ll teach you all about the California-specific laws that affect you and your establishment as you serve alcohol. We will discuss alcohol server safety practices and give you the tools to help you navigate potentially complex situations involving alcohol industry safety as they may arise.

Who needs to be RBS Certified? Everyone on your team who handles alcoholic beverages and you! If you’re a manager of a business that serves alcohol and are interested in working with our team to learn better safety practices, then enroll in our course today.

Practicing alcohol safety and knowing alcohol safety procedures can be the difference between life and death for someone, whether that person is a patron of your bar or anyone else. Staggeringly high numbers of drunk driving deaths, alcohol-related emergency room visits, and many other alcohol-related injuries and issues occur every year.

As a bartender, server, manager, or owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that the patrons entering and leaving your establishment are safe. Not only should you be serving alcohol safely, but you should also be hyper-vigilant of the patrons in your restaurant, know your company policies, implement cutoffs, and work as a team.

Taking all of these precautions is a great way to protect yourself, your establishment, and your patrons. This knowledge, though, comes from knowing exactly how to approach potentially dangerous or uncomfortable situations, as learned through training. RBS training can help you understand the importance of alcohol safety, how to serve alcohol safely, and how to improve the environment at your restaurant or bar.

What is the Impact of Alcohol-Related Harm?

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the impact of alcohol-related harm cannot be understated. As of 2014, there were over 200,000 alcohol-related emergency room visits per year. To put that into perspective, that is a 47% increase from 2006 to 2014, and that number continues to grow every year.

Those aren’t the only alarming numbers. In 2019, over 10,000 people nationwide died from alcohol-related vehicle accidents, which is about 30% of all car accident fatalities. Additionally, on average, 95,000 people die from alcohol-related deaths every year. This includes drunk driving, alcohol poisoning, and all other alcohol-related deaths that cannot be directly attributed to either.

Whether the patron walking into your bar may be the cause or a statistic relating to these numbers is unclear when they step into your doors. However, as a bartender, server, manager, or other service professional who handles alcohol, it is your job and your responsibility to prevent as much harm as possible. Through means like RBS training and other alcohol safety-related protocols, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to keep everyone safe.

What is RBS Training?

RBS training, or Responsible Beverage Service training, is a course required in California for restaurant staff, bartenders, managers, and owners to help them understand the importance of alcohol safety and serving alcohol safely. This course teaches you, as an alcohol server, the dangers of potentially serving alcohol to minors or over-serving alcohol to patrons, and the potential consequences of those actions. 

When you begin RBS training, you will learn several aspects of what it means to be a responsible alcohol server and how to promote alcohol safety within your business. Some of the topics you will discuss in RBS training are:

• Legal responsibilities for serving alcohol safely and responsibly
• Effects of alcohol consumption and abuse on friends, family, and community
• Physical effects of alcohol on the body and warning signs of overserving
• Establishment policies for serving alcohol responsibly
• Identifying and preventing intoxicated and underage patrons
• Checking patron ID cards and identifying potential fakes
• Refusing service to intoxicated patrons
• Proper intervention techniques to prevent drunk driving

While these training courses are not comprehensive, they’re an amazing tool for all staff to receive if your establishment serves alcohol. Knowing what to look for, how to act, and some courses you can take to help alleviate the issue of a potentially dangerous, intoxicated patron are great stepping stones as you gain experience in the field.

How Important is RBS Training?

RBS training is vital to your business. With RBS training, you’re setting yourself and your employees up for success, because the more informed and knowledgeable you are, the better able you are to handle any kind of situation that may occur.

RBS training teaches servers and bartenders how to sell alcohol responsibly and safely. Not only is this important for the patron, but it’s also vital to the business owner and the server as well, as any kind of mistake on their part could result in legal action. RBS training also teaches servers how to spot when a patron may have had one too many drinks and how they can intervene to prevent a situation from occurring.

This aspect of RBS training is probably the most important. If servers can help to prevent issues like overconsumption leading to alcohol poisoning, drunk driving, or any of the other numerous potential hazards that occur from drinking too much, then they may very well have saved a life.

This kind of training makes a massive difference in the community as well. Properly trained alcohol distributors can help to create safer communities and safer establishments, because if alcohol consumption is properly regulated then the rate of alcohol-related harm and incidents decreases.

Of course, not every establishment can combat every issue that walks through its doors. However, with these prevention techniques learned through RBS training, the incidents will surely be few and far between.

How Can RBS Training Benefit Me?

Aside from the ethical importance of this training, RBS training is crucial for your business. As of July 2022, RBS training is required for all establishments that want to serve alcohol. If your staff does not have an RBS certification, then they are not allowed to serve alcoholic beverages to patrons. This is true for all establishments that want to serve alcohol, including hotels, casinos, tasting rooms, stadiums, movie theaters, and more. If you want to serve alcohol in California, then you need an RBS certification.

The logistic side of RBS training isn’t the only important aspect, however. RBS training ensures that you receive training for situations that may arise while you are a bartender, server, or manager.

RBS Training

To run a successful business, you need to have high-quality training and employees who know what they’re doing. Owning an establishment that serves alcohol is no different. RBS training can ensure that everyone you work with, whether you’re the owner of the business or a bartender, practices safe and responsible alcohol sales. RBS certification in California is easy with us.

If you’re interested in signing up with our company to receive RBS Training, register for our course today!

On July 1st, 2022, a new California law was enacted mandating Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training and certification for businesses with an ABC license for on-site alcohol sales and consumption. Who within the organization has to be RBS certified? Servers and bartenders that check IDs and serve alcohol and their managers are among those who must be certified under the new requirement, as well as bouncers who check IDs coming into the establishment.

Safety is an often glossed-over topic when working as a bartender since many people would think these things are common sense. An RBS certification aims to help you become a better bartender by teaching you how to safely and responsibly serve alcoholic beverages while helping minimize alcohol-related harm in our communities.

As an ABC-approved training provider, RBS Training heavily emphasizes all aspects of bartender safety and prepares you to be a confident and compliant bartender. Upon completion, you will better understand the importance of checking IDs, cleanliness, organization, awareness, attire, safe alcohol handling techniques, and emergency preparedness.

Always Check ID

One of the most important things you learn during your RBS certification is to check the ID of every customer before initiating a sale. Anyone purchasing alcohol in the state of California must be able to present the proper identification that proves they’re above the age of 21. The ID card must contain the following information:

• Must not be expired
• Photograph
• Date of Birth
• Name of the person presenting it
• Issued by a U.S. government agency (could be federal, state, or city)
• Physical description of the person presenting it

However, it is not uncommon for minors to try and present fake IDs to drink with friends at a bar. Serving minors is unlawful and can have severe repercussions against you, your employer, and anyone who may get injured as a result. When a youthful-looking person presents their ID to you, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) recommends using the acronym F-L-A-G (Feel, Look, Ask, Give Back) when checking the validity of their ID.

• Feel: Always ask a customer to take their card out of their wallet or cardholder, so you can hold and feel for markings or signs that it’s a replica.
• Look: Confirm that the patron’s birth date shows that they’re over 21 and that the photo’s facial features (nose, eye shape, ears, proportions) match the person presenting the ID.
• Ask: If you have doubts after looking at and feeling the ID, ask them questions about the information on the card. They should answer accurately and confidently. 
• Give Back: Know your company’s policy regarding fake IDs. In California, you can give it back to the customer or seize it, follow proper procedures, and turn it into local law enforcement in the next 24 hours.

Even if your establishment has a bouncer that checks ID at the door, it is a good practice to check again before initiating a sale. Following the F-L-A-G acronym for every ID ensures that you do your due diligence when practicing bartender safety.

Don’t Over-Serve Customers

RBS training in California will give you the tools to address difficulties that can arise when drunk customers become problematic. As a bartender, your part is to help identify and refuse service to anyone that appears to be intoxicated. But what does “obviously intoxicated” mean? According to California law, an individual is obviously intoxicated when the average person can clearly tell if someone has had a few too many drinks. When bartending, you should keep an eye out for customers who display signs of intoxication, such as:

• Slurred speech
• Droopy or watery red eyes
• Changes in speech volume
• Lack of eye focus
• Argumentative speech and behavior
• Stumbling, falling, or swaying

If you notice similar signs in one of your customers, notify your manager and coworkers immediately. They must know why you have refused service to a customer so they can back you up and help diffuse the situation if needed.

When informing the customer that they’re cut off from alcohol for the night, practicing discretion and maintaining a calm demeanor is paramount. You should be respectful while ensuring they settle their tab and understand that they will not receive any more alcohol that night.

If they’re with friends or family, inform them of the situation and get their help in safely removing the intoxicated person from the premises with a designated driver or calling them an Uber. They should not hang around with buddies that may try and slide them some more alcohol after they’ve been cut off. An intoxicated person may try to bargain and ask you for one more drink before closing their tab, but standing firm and refusing service is the best practice.

Under California law, it is illegal to serve a person who is obviously intoxicated, regardless of whether they are driving or ridesharing. You are guilty of a misdemeanor if you do. Suppose you or your establishment are found to have repeatedly served overly intoxicated guests. In that case, you may face administrative penalties or even criminal prosecution and a revocation of the establishment’s liquor license.

Maintain a Clean and Organized Work Area

Having an organized and clean workspace behind the bar is more than just ensuring you aren’t violating health codes. While proper hygiene in the workplace is crucial, having an optimal organization system for your drinks and tools helps prevent injuries to yourself and your coworkers during peak business hours. A good rule of thumb is to establish your workspace so everything you need can be within arm’s reach. This allows you to work efficiently without having to weave up and down around coworkers while making drinks.

An excellent habit to form while working behind the bar is resetting everything during your downtime. After serving several drinks during a rush, leaving your work area cluttered when you have a minute to breathe is not ideal. You never know when the next rush may happen. Take a few minutes to reorganize and clean up between rushes. You can fulfill orders quickly with a clean workspace to help minimize the risk of injury during the rushes.

Learning to clean as you entertain guests is crucial if you want to become a better bartender. You can check on your guests as you wipe down the bar, clean off your shakers, and put the mixers and spirits back in their spots. When you clean as you go, you will have less mess to handle at the end of the shift.

Having labels and designated spots for every bottle, tap, and keg in the bar or storage coolers is an easy way to keep track of inventory and ensure everyone knows where everything goes. Designated and easily accessible locations for your inventory and tools reduce stress for you and co-workers, making closing time clean-up much faster.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings At All Times

Bartender safety extends beyond staying physically safe and clean while behind the bar. It also encompasses keeping an eye on the establishment’s environment to ensure everyone has a safe and fun experience.

If you have enough people scheduled during the shift, always have someone walk around to pick up finished drinks and clean up spills. Having a bar full of intoxicated people is much more challenging to manage if they’re more likely to fall and injure themselves on dirty, wet floors and tables. Additionally, always keep the pathway to the bar, walkways between seating areas, and emergency exits clear of all obstructions. Should an emergency occur, everyone needs to be able to evacuate quickly and safely without tripping over boxes or slipping on spills.

An excellent practice for responsible service is to only serve alcohol to the customer that orders it and have them take it directly. Similarly, you should not allow someone to order drinks for another customer who was not present at the time of ordering. Helping prevent spiked drinks begins with a vigilant bartender.

Staying alert during a shift means not drinking with customers while working. Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of hazards. Under California law, you can taste alcohol to know your product for adequate service. However, that does not include taking shots with friendly customers while on duty.

While drinking caffeinated beverages is common in the industry to help keep you awake, becoming dependent on them can lower your work quality. Instead, try getting restful sleep and eating balanced meals before your shift. Proper nutrition and sleep hygiene are better for a clear mind, and higher sustained energy levels without a hard crash. Taking adequate care of yourself before, during, and after your shift is vital to becoming a better bartender.

Only Handle Glassware Using Proper Techniques

During RBS training in California, you will learn that properly handling glassware is a critical component of responsible bartending. Mishandling glassware can cause chipping and injuries to yourself and your customers, costing you time and money during shifts.

When picking up glassware, you should always grab it from the bottom. Touching parts of the glass that can come into contact with a person’s mouth, like the rim or the inside, is a health code violation. Always check the glassware for stains and contaminants before using it. Sometimes, dishwashers don’t remove everything, so you should set it aside to wash again if you catch any residual stains.

Additionally, you should never use glass to scoop up ice. It can damage the glassware and leave chips in the ice, making it dangerous and unsanitary. If a glass is used to scoop ice, you should melt the ice using hot water, ensure that there are no glass chips in the bin, and refill it.

When storing glassware, ensure it is kept in clean and stable cabinetry or racks. Glasses should never be precariously stacked, and stemless glasses are best kept separate from stemmed ones.

Always Use Caution When Handling Hot Liquids

During winter, it’s not uncommon for restaurants and bars to add warm or hot beverages to their menus. However, using the right tools and techniques to safely and successfully create delicious warm cocktails is essential.

Before preparing a hot cocktail, you should research the flash points of the alcohol and the best methods for heating it to prevent it from accidentally going up in flames. It is highly recommended that you keep an electric kettle on hand. You can safely heat cocktails without sacrificing the balance of flavors. Additionally, you should temper the glassware by carefully pouring hot water over it, so it does not shatter when hot liquids are poured into it.

Any glassware or mugs for serving hot drinks must be designed to keep the inside warm and the customer from burning their hands. Double-walled glassware or earthenware like clay mugs is best for these hot beverages. Handling hot liquids and equipment with care is essential for bartender safety during your shift.

Wear Appropriate Clothing and Footwear

Before purchasing any clothing or shoes for your job, double-check the uniform policy first. Many bars and restaurants may have a specific uniform they give you or ask that you wear specific types of clothing, like an all-black semi-casual attire.

You should wear clothing that does not restrict your movement while achieving the overall appearance your upper management desires. Be mindful that your clothes are also not too loose, as baggy clothing can dip into drinks or snag on things while you work and increase your risk of injury and unhygienic practices. Clothing should fit comfortably while still looking professional. Additionally, darker colors are recommended so spills and stains are less noticeable if something happens on shift.

The feet are the body’s foundation; working as a bartender or server means you need support. If you are not wearing adequate footwear, you risk causing serious harm to your joints and back after years in the service industry. Investing in high-quality footwear is imperative for better comfort, less risk of injury, and less pain at the end of your shift. Footwear should always be closed-toe, supportive, and non-slip for bartenders. Non-slip shoes are a requirement in virtually every restaurant or bar because the floors may see an occasional spill that you could easily slip on and cause serious injury.

Be Prepared for Emergencies

There’s always a higher risk of medical emergencies in bars and restaurants where many people gather to drink. For more well-rounded training in bartender safety, it is highly recommended that you become certified in giving First Aid and CPR. The moments between a medical emergency happening and the EMTs arriving can be crucial for safeguarding your and your customer’s health.

In addition to first aid and CPR training, having up-to-date and approved first aid kits and fire extinguishers is a requirement under OSHA and California law. Every establishment should have an adequately equipped first aid kit for workers and customers should small injuries happen. You should ensure that your bar or restaurant has Class B fire extinguishers that are made for putting out fires from combustible liquids. Fire extinguishers are mandatory by law and should always be easily accessible, especially if you work in a place that offers burning drinks. 

Get Certified with RBS Training

After receiving your RBS certification, you will be ready to handle:

• Checking IDs
• Avoiding over-serving
• Maintaining clean and organized workspaces
• Utilizing proper techniques for preparing drinks and customer interactions
• Wearing appropriate attire
• Staying aware and prepared for emergencies

A responsible bartender who understands safe alcohol service practices is indispensable for ensuring everyone has a memorable night for all the right reasons. With RBS Training in California, you’ll learn it all with real-world scenarios that drive home the importance of these safety tips. Visit us here if you have any questions or want to reach out to us. We are happy to help you become a better bartender.

As the most populous state in the US, California communities are one of the largest alcohol markets in the nation. The growing alcohol market puts Californian citizens and communities at risk for increasing alcohol-related harm. The state legislature recognized that concerning risk and enacted the Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training Act in July 2022. The goal of this act is to unify the ethical and safe standards for employees of the alcohol industry. Safety when working in establishments where on-premise alcohol sales and consumption occur should be the top priority of bartenders, servers, bouncers, and their managers. 

Being a safe and compliant employee of California’s alcohol industry is straightforward and easily achievable. Our ABC-approved RBS training course utilizes real-world examples to help you better understand:

• The legislation you must follow
• Why it is essential
• What can happen when you break the law
• The skills you need to identify and adequately handle challenging situations

So, what should you know about bartender safety and compliance?

Understanding California’s Rules and Regulations

During your RBS training in California, you learn the general and specific rules to promote alcohol industry safety regarding serving and consumption and do your part in mitigating alcohol-related harm in Californian communities.

As a bartender, safety involves meeting specific qualifications to serve alcohol and being aware of your rights and responsibilities while serving. You could be held liable for damage or injuries your customers incur or cause should you be found guilty of violating the law.

After Receiving Your RBS Certification

The RBS Training Act applies to those who work for or own a California organization licensed by the state’s ABC board for on-premises alcohol sales and consumption. This includes businesses like bars, clubs, restaurants, stadiums, movie theaters, etc. Who within the organization has to be RBS certified? At a minimum, all employees who serve alcohol to customers or manage those servers should be certified.

Before 2 a.m. and After 6 a.m.

It is against the law in California to serve, sell, or help purchase alcoholic beverages anytime between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Doing so is considered a misdemeanor, and you could be fined up to $1000 and/or spend six months in jail. This law applies only when the alcohol is delivered to the customer. For example, if customers in an establishment purchase and open a bottle of wine before 2 am.., they are allowed to take it home.

Never to Someone That is Already Intoxicated

Under California law, it is illegal to give, sell, or help sell alcoholic beverages to an individual already presenting signs of intoxication. You can be charged with a misdemeanor, face six months of jail time, and/or be fined up to $1000 if you ignore this crucial aspect of bartender safety. Most importantly, this law applies to everyone, regardless of whether they are an employee of an establishment or a friend, partner, or relative of the intoxicated person.

Never Serve Anyone Under Age 21

Serving alcohol to anyone under 21 is against federal and state law. While this law may seem like common sense, it is very easily violated if you are not careful. Even when during busy rushes, always check a new customer’s ID card and the age it states they are. You and your employer can face civil, administrative, and possibly criminal charges if you are found to have served a minor that caused harm to themselves or others.

These are examples of the most common laws in California that a bartender must always follow while working. It is essential to double-check the requirements and codes in the municipality of your workplace, as some cities and counties may have additional laws regarding alcohol sales and service.

The Importance of Safe and Ethical Practices When Serving Alcohol

As a bartender, following the laws and regulations during each shift is paramount for the health and safety of yourself, your customer, and your establishment. Negligence or reckless service can lead to dire consequences, including some of the following outlined below.

Penalties You May Face and How to Avoid Them

If you or your employer are found to be negligent when serving alcoholic beverages to customers, you could be held liable for damages an overly intoxicated customer causes. You could also face fines and various penalties, such as:

• Losing your job
• Your employer may lose their license
• Misdemeanors on your permanent record
• Time in jail

RBS training in California is the ideal way to avoid facing any penalties for irresponsible alcohol service. You will learn your rights and expected level of care and help reduce the risk of alcohol-related harm in your communities. Staying compliant with California laws and following your RBS training ensures that you and your business maintain satisfied customers eager to return to your safe establishment for a good time.

How Enforcing Safe and Ethical Alcohol Service Benefits You and Your Business

Practicing alcohol industry safety does wonders for improving the abilities of your staff to create a positive atmosphere and outcomes for your business.

Establishes Confidence in Customers

Customers at an establishment where alcohol is sold and consumed can witness many situations that give a feeling of unease. It is well-known that drinking can lower inhibitions and make people more likely to act in a manner they would not otherwise while sober. During a rowdy night, problematic patrons may slip under the radar and threaten the welfare of others if a bartender does not remain vigilant and careful. Bartenders and staff that know how to handle these less-than-ideal situations carefully and efficiently give good customers confidence to return to an establishment that prioritizes their safety over a quick buck.

Encourages a Gleaming Reputation and Growing Revenue For Your Business

Customers that feel more comfortable drinking at an establishment where they know their safety is a priority to the staff will talk to friends and family about their great experiences. Many will even invite more people to visit and increase the number of patrons visiting and enjoying the drinks and atmosphere of your workplace. Ensuring you and other staff members practice every aspect of responsible and ethical alcohol service will help you generate more revenue and tips. You can even grow a crowd of regulars that helps you generate a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

Lowers the Risk of Alcohol-Related Harm Impacting Your Business

When bartender safety is a regular practice in your establishment, you and other staff members are doing your part to reduce the occurrence of alcohol-related harm, including:

• Reducing the number of DUIs
• Lowering instances of over-intoxication and its adverse effects
• Contributing to reducing the occurrence of underage drinking

With fewer negative results from the over-consumption of alcohol and serving minors, your community will feel more comfortable and safe knowing that your establishment is a safe space that does not contribute to dangerous activities.

Best Practices for Business Owners and Employees

There are various ways owners, managers, and employees can practice safe and responsible beverage service while emphasizing the well-being of themselves and their patrons.

Have Adequate Staff Numbers for Each Shift

An easy way to ensure the safety of your employees and customers is to have enough eyes on the doors and the floor. Especially on busier nights, bartenders and servers can become overwhelmed with orders and swarmed by customers if the bar is understaffed. This lack of employees prevents them from sufficiently keeping a watchful eye out for potentially problematic patrons and makes it easier to serve alcohol to an overly intoxicated individual. Having enough staff on the schedule is a surefire way to keep the shift going smoothly and safely.

Eat and Get Sufficient Rest Before Your Shift

It is common practice in the service industry to rely on stimulants like caffeine and nicotine to power you through the wild rushes and late closing shifts. However, even the most seasoned bartenders recognize that the most painless way to get through late nights as a bartender is to have a nutritious meal and restful sleep before coming to work.

Adequate rest and meals help you sustain higher energy levels for longer, allowing you to stay vigilant throughout your shifts without the severe caffeine crash. Getting stuck in bad habits can be detrimental to your health and the quality of your work, especially working in the alcohol industry. Stay ahead of the challenges and prepare to be a compliant and safe bartender with good food and sleep before work.

Properly Check the ID cards of Every Customer

Before taking a customer’s order for an alcoholic beverage, every bartender or server should double-check the ID information of the customer. While many establishments have staff that checks patrons’ IDs before granting them entry, servers, and bartenders should always ensure that the customers are who they say they are and have valid IDs to prove they are of age to partake.

Sometimes, minors may have older friends sneak them through side entrances on busy nights. There is always the chance in a crowded bar or club that someone has managed to slip in without a staff member checking their ID. That is why you should always check IDs by having the customer pull their card out from their wallet or cardholder. While holding it, check the feel of the edges and sides. Do the math for their stated age and ensure the photo’s facial features match the person handing it over. Make checking the IDs a habit, and you will significantly lower the risk of selling alcohol to a minor or anyone without a proper ID.

Learn How to Spot an Intoxicated Customer

California law defines an obviously intoxicated person as someone showing clear signs and behavior associated with having too much to drink. Some signs of intoxication include stumbling, swaying, slurring words, changing volume and speed of speech, watery red eyes, etc.

There are many other signs that bartenders should be aware of in their customers, especially regulars who may have a drinking problem. When you see these signs in one of your customers, it is time to inform them that you can no longer continue to serve them alcoholic beverages.

As stated above, it is illegal in California to serve alcohol to obviously intoxicated customers. One of the most crucial parts of alcohol industry safety is learning how to navigate these situations safely and efficiently to ensure the safety of the intoxicated individual, other patrons, and yourself.

Ensure Each Staff Member Has Updated RBS Training

RBS training in California is required for all staff members who serve alcohol in an establishment. It allows them to learn every aspect of adequate bartender safety to ensure the business thrives and compliance is achieved every shift. By staying up to date and renewing the RBS training license, bartenders, servers, and bouncers will know the best ways to handle difficult situations if they do occur.

Stay On Top with RBS Training

Following the law, avoiding violations, and navigating challenging situations with intoxicated customers are all central components of being a good bartender. To be a fantastic bartender, enrolling in the RBS Training program teaches you everything you need to know with updated and real-life scenarios, including:

• All the rules and regulations you must follow
• The best ways to ensure compliance with the laws
• How alcohol impacts the body
• Tactics for avoiding serving obviously intoxicated customers and minors

Becoming an RBS-certified employee of the alcohol industry in California with help you avoid legal, administrative, and financial penalties that could have severe consequences on your life and career. Additionally, you are doing your part to reduce the occurrence of alcohol-related harm in California’s communities.

Promoting safe consumption and responsible service will help you, your business and your community flourish while complying with California law. Get started with your RBS training today.

Bartending is a lot more than pouring drinks. It may seem simple, but it is labor intensive and requires attention to detail that most may not realize. Drinking responsibly is just that–responsible. Irresponsible consumption of alcohol is dangerous and often costs lives. If done improperly, the mixing of different drinks can cause the consumer to lose track of the amount of alcohol consumed. While mixing drinks is generally unlikely to make you seriously ill, it’s always best to allow certified, trained personnel to take care of your drink mixing and making–especially if you’re looking to try something new! 

Background

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control exists to provide service and safety to the people of California. The process of certifying employees who serve alcoholic beverages contributes to the necessary safety of alcohol providers and consumers. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is an agency of the California State Government. Its origins trace back to 1955, following an amendment to the California State Constitution after the repeal of the 18th amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibited the manufacturing, sale, and consumption of alcohol in the United States of America. 

The regulation of alcohol sales and consumption, while necessary, is not sufficient. Providing accurate, comprehensive education is crucial to ensure a safe, informed public, especially in the realm of alcohol service and consumption. California RBS training aims to educate potential servers and handlers of alcoholic beverages to ensure that those who work in the field do so safely. 

What Is RBS Training?

RBS Training (Responsible Beverage Service) focuses on teaching restaurant servers how to safely serve alcoholic beverages to maintain a safe drinking environment in their communities. RBS training in California is now a requirement in the state, according to Assembly Bill No. 1221, passed in 2017. The process of becoming certified to serve and handle alcoholic beverages is designed to be informative, educational, and time-efficient. Becoming certified through the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control allows for safe, legal employment as a beverage server in California. 

Purpose of RBS Training

The purpose of California RBS training and certification is to increase safety in communities. The safe serving of alcohol is crucial to the protection of any community. Underage drinking is extremely hazardous and detrimental to young people’s and others’ safety. 

Trained and proficient alcohol servers can mitigate the risks posed by these problems and contribute to a safer community overall. Although California RBS training may only partially eliminate all these problems, responsible service of alcohol helps to solve them by addressing potential inadequacies among alcohol servers. If the training course and exam are taken properly and seriously, anyone looking to gain or retain employment as a beverage server will become more equipped to perform their job functions in a safer manner. But who needs to be RBS certified, and how do you get that?

Local Availability

Fortunately, RBS certification is ready and available in the state of California. Because this training is mandatory to serve alcohol in California, it is widely available for those who wish to pursue employment as a server of alcohol. Anyone who needs to be RBS certified may complete the training through the training portal on the Alcoholic Beverage Control website. 

The fee for the course and exam is $3. The program is available to anyone with an internet connection. If you do not have access to a computer or the internet, you can take the course at a public library with access to computers and the internet.

Cultural Accessibility

Naturally, not all who wish to work in environments that serve alcohol are native English speakers. Fortunately, RBS training in California is available in multiple languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Hindi, Punjabi, and Hindi. Toggling through languages is simple, with the drop-down menu next to your name in the training portal. This way, employment as a server is accessible to a more diverse demographic, and safer job environments are available to a broader range of people. 

If a participant cannot find the course in their native language, completion of the course is still a possibility. The course is open book and can be accessed and completed in the amount of time that works best for the participant. Additionally, translators can help you understand the course content and can assist with the exam. This way, the course is truly accessible to anyone who wishes to become certified. 

Who Needs to be RBS Certified?

Certification is a requirement for anyone who wishes to be employed as an alcohol server in California. This includes personnel who do any one of the following four things:

• Oversee the admission of people into an establishment that sells alcohol by checking ID
• Takes orders from customers intending to purchase alcoholic beverages
• Pours, mixes, or otherwise assemble alcoholic beverages for customers
• Serves alcoholic beverages to customers

RBS certification in California is not only for those who intend to do all of these things; it is required for those who intend to do any one of these things. So, if you want to work as a server, host, or cashier in a facility that serves alcoholic beverages, you will need to complete RBS certification in California. 

Those who work for temporary catering events must be RBS certified, even if their employment is temporary. 

Certification Requirement Exemptions

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control recommends that any individual who participates in the service of alcoholic beverages for consumption become RBS certified. However, there are a few situations where this is optional under Assembly Bill No. 1221. Some of these exemptions include:

• Professors/instructors who are employed at a university/college institution and teach a course where alcoholic beverages are tasted according to the learning objectives of the course
• Employees or crew of a boat or plane with a proper license(eligible license types are types 54, 55, and 56)
• Owners and stylists who serve complimentary alcoholic drinks at their barbershops and salons

Organizations That Require Certification

Unsure whether your organization requires you to be certified or not? Any establishment with an ABC on Premise License requires all its employees to complete an RBS certification process to maintain employment. An on Premise License means that alcoholic beverages are purchased and also consumed on-site. In contrast, some stores may only provide alcoholic beverages to be sold, such as grocery stores or other liquor stores. Establishments that carry an on Premise License can sell alcohol to be consumed at the establishment. These institutions can include a bar or a restaurant with a bar. 

Why Become RBS Certified?

The alcohol service market in California offers various employment options that may appeal to a dynamic group of people.

Certification through the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is the most comprehensive, thorough way to become legally licensed to serve alcoholic beverages. As mentioned before, these courses are available in a variety of languages. Additionally, it’s completely understandable to feel hesitant to sit through an online course certification, so fortunately, it’s not required that you do the entire course in a single sitting. This way, anyone who wishes to be certified can do so at the rate that works best for them. 

Furthermore, once you earn the certification, you do not need to worry about keeping track of a certificate to display to your employer. An ID code is provided for you to give to your employer, who can quickly check its validity and current status. This code is valid for three years. 

Additionally, earning RBS certification before applying for employment shows initiative, concern, and preparedness. 

Becoming Certified

The process of becoming a certified beverage service provider involves the following steps:

Registration as an Alcohol Server

To begin the RBS certification process, each potential server must register with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control as an alcohol server. This includes those who may not directly serve alcohol but manage employees who do. 

Take the Certification Course

The course will give instructions and training that pertains to effective and safe service of alcohol to increase proficiency in the working field. As mentioned before, the course is available to a wide range of people and is designed to be flexible. It can be taken in smaller pieces, as long as each participant can protect their personal security by logging out of their account after each session. The course is available to anyone with an internet connection. 

Take the Exam to Become a Certified Alcohol Server in California

The exam must be taken within 30 days after the course is completed. If the exam is not taken within 30 days of course completion, the program must be retaken. The cost of the exam is $3.00 and is non-refundable. This can be paid online through the RBS portal with most major credit or debit cards. 

The minimum score required to pass the exam is 70%. Each participant has three attempts to meet this score. If not passed all three times, the course and the exam will need to be retaken to ensure that the candidate is qualified to handle and sell alcoholic beverages competently and safely. 

All participants may rest assured that the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will not distribute or sell any personal information to anyone outside of the department unless it becomes a legal requirement or a necessary part of processing the application and course certification. 

After the Exam

Be especially vigilant when fielding and responding to any outreach attempts by ABC regarding certification. Participants will only receive an email if they have provided their email addresses in the RBS portal. If a participant is contacted, the best course of action is to always reach out to the training provider directly, as opposed to writing a response through the email that was delivered. To increase security, it is best to be sure that the provider who reaches out is on the list of approved training providers provided by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. By doing this, participants increase their personal security and are more informed about the application process. 

After certification has been verified, your validation code will be mailed to you shortly afterward. 

Employment After Certification

Those who have been accepted for a position as an alcoholic beverage server have 60 days from their first day employed at their new place of work to complete RBS certification in California. Employers may also extend employment offers to potential employees who still need certification. Although employers are advised and obligated to become certified, they cannot register their staff to be certified. Each employee (or potential employee) must register individually to become certified.

Renewing Certification

Once the training has been completed and the exam passed, RBS certificates are valid for three years. An RBS certification can be renewed, but you must renew it before it expires. The renewal process consists of the same course and exam, retaken and passed for renewal. 

Ultimately, the most critical part of pursuing employment in beverage service is learning how to do so safely, proficiently, and legally. California RBS training provides a complete certification process at an affordable cost to anyone with an internet connection. The courses are available in various languages and can be taken at the chosen pace of the participant. Visit our website for more information. 

The Responsible Beverage Service Training Act was created in 2017 by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC.) Since then, servers, managers, bartenders, and anyone else who provides alcoholic beverages require an RBS certificate to continue service.

If you are a bar, restaurant, pub, or any establishment that serves alcoholic beverages in California, you will need proof of an RBS certification to continue serving alcohol. An RBS certification has been required to serve alcoholic beverages in California since July 1st, 2022.

What is an RBS Certification?

The Responsible Beverage Service certification proves you understand the alcohol laws of California and have been trained to mitigate alcohol-related harm in California communities by responsibly serving alcoholic beverages.

Otherwise, in layman’s terms, an RBS certification demonstrates that you know how to serve alcohol and when not to serve alcohol to reduce alcohol-related harm in California.

What is Alcohol-Related Harm?

Alcohol-related harm is anything that harms a person, property, or community caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. Examples of alcohol-related harm are:

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence is a serious offense. When someone is too intoxicated to operate a motor vehicle, they’ve reached a level of intoxication that can lead to alcohol-related accidents. The RBS training in California teaches alcohol servers and managers the legal blood content allowance, which is 0.08% in California.

If a patron is intoxicated and an ABC-licensed establishment does not stop them, they are liable to cause alcohol-related harm to themselves, the community, or others. Even bicycles and other non-motor vehicles should not be operated under the influence.

An RBS certification ensures that alcohol servers recognize the harm this can cause to communities and individuals.

Physical Harm

Intoxication can lead to physical harm or another alcohol-related injury. If a patron is intoxicated and receives, delivers, or causes bodily damage to themselves or others, they have caused physical harm.

The RBS training program helps alcohol servers recognize when a patron has had too much to drink and knows when to refuse service to a patron on the verge of intoxication. 

Internal Harm

The RBS training program informs you that knowingly overdosing a patron on alcohol can lead to alcohol-related harm. Specifically, it can lead to internal injuries such as liver failure, heart disease, digestive problems, and high blood pressure. This is considered internal harm, and the RBS training in California teaches alcohol servers how to avoid allowing patrons to over-consume alcohol.

Who Needs RBS Certification?

An RBS certification is the first step in being able to serve, provide, or carry alcoholic beverages in California. As such, several individuals need to complete an RBS training program before returning to work.

Alcohol Servers

According to the state of California, alcohol servers are anyone responsible for the following:

• Check customer identification before entering the ABC-licensed establishment and serving alcoholic beverages.
• Staff who take alcoholic beverage orders for customers.
• Staff who pour alcoholic beverages for customers.
• Staff who deliver alcoholic beverages to customers.

Alcohol servers must have an RBS certification to understand how to mitigate alcohol-related harm.

Server Managers

Your establishment needs Server Managers to run at peak efficiency. These are individuals who directly hire, train, or supervise alcohol servers in an ABC-licensed establishment. Managers are responsible for ensuring their alcohol servers have an RBS certification and provide alcohol service training for alcohol servers. Ordinarily, these are the bar managers in a restaurant, pubs, or other ACB-licensed establishments.

Server Managers are not third-party ABC licensees that train alcohol servers in marketing and distribution.

One-Day Events

Companies, businesses, and non-profit organizations who want to serve alcohol at an event must have at least one person on-site with an RBS certification. The designated individual must have their accreditation on the day of the event and must oversee alcohol service and distribution.

Owners

If you own an ABC-licensed establishment, you should always get an RBS certification. California law requires all managers, employees, and other individuals of an ABC-licensed establishment to have an RBS certification to serve alcoholic beverages on-premise.

For more information on who needs RBS certification in California, defer to the ABC homepage here.

Penalties for Lack of RBS Certification

The new rule only came into effect recently, but that doesn’t mean it can be ignored. By September 1st, 2022, all alcohol servers and managers must have their RBS certification to work in an ABC-licensed establishment. These records are subject to inspection by the ABC upon request, so ensure to maintain records of employee certifications.

If you fail to comply with the mandate, meaning that your alcohol servers and managers have not received an RBS certification, you will be subject to various penalties. Just for the violation, a licensed business will face a 10-day suspension, with a variable addition of time, based on the following:

• How many employees still need to complete the RBS training program.
• How long those employees have been working without an RBS certification.
• Previous ABC violations by the establishment under the Responsible Beverage Service Training Act.

Continuous violations can permanently suspend alcohol-related services for your establishment and revoke your ABC license. Once you receive your suspension, it must be served consecutively. This means that if you are found violating the ABC mandates, you will be suspended the total amount immediately.

For many establishments, losing the ability to serve alcohol can be crippling. 

How To Receive An RBS Certification

Owners, managers, and alcohol servers should find an RBS training program to receive an RBS certification. RBS training can be completed online in just four easy steps.

• 1. Purchase Course
  • This is when you decide which RBS certification you need.
• 2. Register with California Beverage Control.
  • You must register with the ABC to receive your Student ID for RBS training. 
  • You must have this number to submit your training completion to qualify for the state exam.
• 3. Complete Your Course
  • Provide your Student ID number and complete the course at your own pace.
• 4. Take State Exam
  • Once you complete your RBS training for California, the RBS training program will submit your student ID to the ABC.
  • The state exam must be completed within 30 days of receiving it.

Once these four steps are completed, congratulations! You are now certified and trained on ways to help minimize alcohol-related harm and serve alcoholic beverages. We encourage you to complete your RBS certification as soon as possible to avoid any ABC violations or alcohol-related harm to your beloved community.

Are you wondering how to open a bar in California? It’s not as simple as buying a piece of property and hiring the first applicants who come along. There are several things to keep in mind, from conceptualizing your business to funding and certifying your business with all the necessary licensing. If you aren’t licensed to operate, you won’t stay in business very long.

What Kind of Bar Are you?

Before looking up how to open a bar in California, take a moment to decide what kind of bar you want. Are you opening a small pub down the street or a traditional sports bar with several televisions and a happy hour during off-season games? There are many spins, tweaks, and variations of bars out there, but the three most popular venues are:

Sports Bar

A sports bar is a place to unwind with friends, watch a game, and grab a meal. California is the home state of several significant professional and amateur teams, making a sports bar extremely popular in heavily urbanized areas. They are also prone to rowdiness, so you must invest in security–especially during high-profile matchups or events.

A sports bar usually serves food (appetizers, finger foods, snacks) and beer to its patrons. It is one of the more expensive bar options available and can be very profitable, but in order to be successful, you certainly need to research and get your RBS certification before opening a sports bar.

Pub

Pubs can be very relaxed and casual places to grab a drink, a quick bite, and hang out. This type of establishment usually comes off as “rustic” or “cozy” and places a focus on the atmosphere rather than the spectacle. Like a sports bar, a pub might have a television or some other form of entertainment. However, it’s nowhere near as grandiose or hyper-focused on one particular thing as a sports bar.

Pubs also require an RBS certification for all employees, including the owner, to serve alcohol in California.

Live Music Venue

Live music is the perfect complement to a bar, and a live music venue is sure to attract the casual crowd who want to enjoy the atmosphere with some friends. Out of the three, a live music venue is the most tricky to get right in California. Not only do you need to sign every employee up for an RBS training program so they can serve alcohol, but you also need to find live music on a regular basis. Sometimes this is easier in some places than others, so research and find out if you want to open a live music venue.

Funding Your Bar

Once you decide how to open a bar in California, you will need to have three things ready to secure funding for your enterprise: a business plan, entity, and funding.

Business Plan

When you open a bar, you are opening a business. Here are some things to keep in mind to make it as successful as possible:

• Your concept: What kind of bar are you? What makes you unique from your competitors?
• Target market: Who are your patrons? Are you targeting a specific demographic?
• Start-Up and operation costs: How much does it cost to operate your business?
• Potential revenue: How much could you make? What is your valuation?

These are essential questions to answer if you are wondering how to open a bar in California. This is the foundation upon which your enterprise is built–it has to be able to support your vision and share it with others.

Business Entity

Next, you want to decide on what type of business entity you are. There are several options, each with its protections, liabilities, and requirements:

• Corporation
• LLC
• Partnership
• Sole Proprietorship

Each different business entity comes with its requirements, perks, and downsides. Make sure to research which one suits your intended purposes before you start asking how to open a bar in California. Having a general plan first, even before you start on the details, is the best idea.

Securing Funding

You can secure funding for your bar through personal assets, bank loans, lines of credit, and other forms of financing. Keep in mind that you are opening a business enterprise and will need to plan accordingly for the first few months. There is no guarantee you will make a profit early on, so prepare for a “relief fund” if the business does not pick up initially.

Your Bar is Conceptualized, Funded, and… Licensed?

Next, you will need your alcohol license through the ABC (California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control) to serve alcohol in your establishment. 

To get started, you must register with the alcohol and tax bureau. This takes about two to three months to finalize, so you’ll want to start right away. After that, you need to secure your license through the ABC. You can go through the ABC itself, which takes about three months–then 30 more days for the community to object. You can also buy a license from someone else who already has it. It is up to you.

Other Licenses You Will Need

Some of the other licenses you should look into include:

• Business license: This proves you can operate the business in your area.
• Tax ID:  Business owners must register their federal employer identification number.
• Health Permit: If you sell edible goods (including alcohol), you must have a health permit proving your establishment follows safety guidelines.
• Food Safety Certification and Food Handler Permit: California law requires a food safety certificate and a food handler’s permit for all employees if you serve food.
• Worker’s Compensation Insurance: California law requires you to have worker’s compensation insurance for your employees.

California is a large state, and many counties and cities require different things. While other special licenses, permits, and insurances are required to run a business in California, they will need personalized research. Due diligence is vital at this stage of how to open a bar in California.

The Last Step

Before the doors open and you have your first customer, you will need staff. Alongside a food handler permit for each staff member (if you serve food), they will need an RBS certification from an RBS training program.

California law requires all alcohol servers, managers, and owners to undergo the RBS certification process and incur hefty penalties if the certification still needs to be completed. If you are looking for answers about how to open a bar in California, this is the most crucial step.

Click here for more information on getting an RBS certification and finding a California-compliant RBS training program.

Once everything above is done, dusted, and ready, you can open the doors and start your business immediately!

In California, there are many alcohol-serving laws to help protect Californians and their communities from alcohol-related harm. You may feel that in California, alcohol-serving laws are generally “common sense” laws when it comes to alcohol. Don’t drink and drive, don’t serve or sell alcohol if you are under 21, and so forth.

However, many unique laws strictly for California need to be followed if you are going to serve alcohol. We’ve compiled a handy list of the biggest ones universal to California as a state, but each county may have different rulings. Ensure your research is accurate before taking any action. So, what are the California alcohol-serving laws?

Serving vs. Consumption

What is the difference between serving laws and consumption laws? In California, alcohol-serving laws go hand-in-hand with consumption laws–as one leads to the other.

Serving Laws

Here are some of the most common alcohol-serving laws in California. Each county may have some variations, but these are the accepted California alcohol-serving laws.

Employees Must be 21 Years of Age

The legal age to serve alcohol in California without penalty is 21. Employees who serve, prepare, and take orders for alcoholic beverages must be 21. Exceptions can be made for servers over 18 but they cannot prepare or work behind the bar.

An employee who violates this law will subject their manager to disciplinary action in the form of a criminal misdemeanor. This can also result in a suspension of service, revocation of your California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) license, and a fine.

You Cannot Serve or Sell Alcohol Between 2 A.M. and 6 A.M.

According to California alcohol-serving laws, it is unlawful to sell, serve, or knowingly help purchase alcohol between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Alcoholic sales during these hours are a misdemeanor and include a maximum financial penalty of $1000 and/or six months of jail time. That’s not exactly something you want on your permanent record, especially when a misdemeanor like that should be easy to avoid.

These rulings affect only the point of sale, which is the point when an alcoholic beverage is delivered, not when it is paid for. Customers in a restaurant are allowed to take home partially consumed bottles of wine.

Selling Alcohol to Intoxicated Individuals

Anyone who gives, sells, or enables the sale of alcoholic beverages to someone who is intoxicated is committing a misdemeanor. The penalty is the same as selling alcohol during prohibited hours–$1000 and/or six months in county jail.

This does not only affect restaurants and bar owners. Anyone who purchases alcohol for an intoxicated person is guilty of a misdemeanor, even if they are a family member, friend, or neighbor.

All Employees Must Be RBS Certified

California alcohol-serving laws require all alcohol servers, managers, owners, and staff who operate a bar or deliver alcoholic beverages to attend and complete an RBS training program. An RBS training program must be completed even if the employee is of the legal age to serve alcohol in California–21.

RBS certification must be documented, recorded, and saved on company property in case of an audit or inspection by the ABC. RBS training must be completed before any alcohol service can be done by an employee, even if they are not of the legal age to serve alcohol in California. Failure to have employees show their RBS certification while serving alcoholic beverages can result in a fine, suspension, or revocation of ABC licenses.

Penalty Recap

If you violate any of the above, you can be subject to the following:

• Fines
• Suspension
• Criminal Charges (Misdemeanors)
• Jail time

Consumption Laws

Here are some of the most common consumption laws in California. These relate to California alcohol-serving laws because, as a bar owner, you must be aware of what and how people consume alcohol in California.

Legal Age to Drink

The legal age to drink in California is 21. Individuals under the age of 21 are allowed to drink in private areas with the supervision of their parent, guardian, or relative above the age of 21.

A private area, by this definition, is a residence or venue without public access to alcoholic beverages. That being said, anyone under 21 cannot be found with alcohol on their person.

Alcohol in Vehicles

Drinking in a small vehicle is illegal in California. All open containers must be out of sight or in the vehicle’s trunk. The only exception to this is if the passengers are in a bus, camper, rideshare (Taxi, Lyft, Uber), or motorhome.

Individuals under the age of 21 cannot have alcohol in their possession while operating a vehicle unless they are with their parents or someone who is above 21.

California does not have an “open container” law while boating. If you are caught operating a boat or having alcohol on a boat, you will be penalized as if you were driving a car. There is no distinction between the two in California.

Driving While Intoxicated

If you consume alcohol before driving, your BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) must be below 0.08, though 0.05 is the maximum in some counties. If you are caught with your BAC above these levels, you will face several penalties and suspensions, which we will discuss shortly.

If you are serving alcohol in California, you must be aware of the penalties others will face if they violate these mandates. One of the largest

Penalty Recap

If you violate any of the above, you can be subject to the following:

• Fines
• Suspension of license
• Criminal Charges (Depending on the severity)
• IID Installation (An ignition interlock device that suspends driving through a breathalyzer)
• Jail time
• Revocation of license

What Can You Do to Prevent Penalties?

Start learning more about California alcohol-serving laws and how you can avoid the penalties for yourself, your business, and your clients by ensuring you have completed your RBS training and received your RBS certification and ABC licenses. Starting July 1st, 2022, all ABC-licensed establishments must have employees complete and certified with an RBS certification.

Once you receive penalties for any of the above, they remain a permanent part of your credentials. They do not go away and very rarely can be expunged. Everything you need to know about alcohol safety and service can be learned through an RBS training program, so sign up for one immediately and encourage your employees to do the same.

As of July 1st, 2022, all alcohol servers, managers, and operators must undergo an RBS training program and receive RBS certification. But what is an RBS certification and how can it make you a better bartender?

What is an RBS Certification?

The Responsible Beverage Service certification demonstrates that you know how to serve alcohol and you know when not to serve alcohol in order to reduce alcohol-related harm in California. Even if you’ve been a bartender for decades, an RBS certification proves that you know current laws, regulations, and mandates. It’s also now required by law, effective July 1st, 2022, for all alcohol servers and managers.

Why Do You Want an RBS Certification?

Going forward, an RBS certification is required by law in California. Regardless of your experience, you must undergo RBS training and commit to an RBS training program to be eligible to serve and prepare alcoholic beverages for consumption.

That being said, an RBS certification can make you a much more responsible bartender. You learn what the new California alcohol serving and consumption laws are as well as the penalties for not following them.

Alcohol Serving Laws

With RBS training, you will recognize these and many other essential laws about serving alcoholic beverages in California. Although these laws are unique to California, their principles are being adopted in several states. That means even if you do bartending work outside of California, this knowledge will help make you a more responsible bartender.

We won’t go into detail about the obvious: not serving anyone under age 21.

Designated Service Time

Between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., remember that you, as a bartender, cannot sell, distribute, or give away alcohol. Does this come as a surprise? With an RBS certification, this will be common knowledge throughout the state. Following these regulations allows you to help minimize the dangers of alcohol-related harm to California communities.

Even if your employer tells you to continue service between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., you can still violate the California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) regulations if you are found doing so. Depending on the severity, these come with fines, suspensions, and worse. Plus, it can help you avoid penalties for violating this mandate.

Know When to Stop

In California, you cannot serve someone who’s intoxicated, nor can you supply alcoholic beverages knowing they will contribute to that intoxicated person’s inebriated state. This includes free drinks. As a bartender, you must develop a keen eye for anyone who has had too much and doesn’t need anything else to drink, despite any of their insistence to the contrary.

With RBS certification, you can prove you know this and avoid penalties, fines, or misdemeanor charges. RBS training informs you when too much is too much and helps you spot even the most clever intoxicated patrons.

Does an RBS Certification Make You a Better Bartender?

Will certification really help you? In accountability and responsibility, yes, an RBS certification can make you a better bartender. Disregarding the fact that it is the law in California to complete an RBS training program, this type of certification has also shown that bartenders who complete the related RBS training program are more responsible and knowledgeable about alcohol service. Still have questions? How does an RBS certification make you a better bartender? We’ll cover this more below.

It Helps You Recognize Excessive Drinking

Even if someone can handle their alcohol well and maintain composure, you should still be able to recognize when someone has been drinking too much or is continuing the drink despite their obvious impairment. An RBS certification demonstrates that you know when to recognize excessive drinking, which benefits you as a bartender and other patrons and customers who could be harmed, discouraged, or upset by the rampant inebriation. After all, a good bartender knows when to close the tap and send someone home.

It Improves Server Practices

The more bartenders participating in RBS training, the better the service industry will be. Even if you just take orders from a sports bar or restaurant, an RBS certification makes you more knowledgeable about clients, their needs, and what the consumption of alcoholic beverages can do. It can help stop irresponsible or reckless bartending and reduce alcohol-related harm in local communities and establishments.

If you are worried about a patron becoming upset they cannot receive a drink due to any reason listed during your RBS training program, don’t worry about it. No one can fault a bartender for making an ethical, responsible decision for the betterment of their profession and clients.

It Reduces Underaged Drinking

Every generation, underage drinkers try to sneakily find new ways to drink. While California law allows individuals under the age of 21 to drink in private spaces with their parents, guardians, or other individuals over the age of 21, the bar is not one of those places. A responsible bartender should be able to recognize and deny an underage customer coming up to their bar.

Serving alcoholic drinks to a minor is a penalty and a crime. This can result in a high financial and legal cost for you as an employee, so don’t take that risk! The RBS training program teaches you the most common methods by which underage drinking occurs–and gives you practical strategies to stop it from happening in the first place.

It Reduces Alcohol-Related Crashes

Alcohol-related crashes are some of the most deadly. As a responsible bartender, you should be able to recognize who has had enough to drink and who should not be driving. An RBS certification allows you to easily justify confiscating someone’s keys and method of transport while giving you the leverage to defend your choice as a bartender should an altercation occur.

So, Should You Get Your RBS Certification?

Yes, absolutely. The RBS training program can eliminate the dangers of irresponsible bartending in California and outside of California. Suppose you leave California a few years after completing your RBS training program. You will have the tools to make ethical, healthy, and responsible decisions across the state.

An RBS certification is also an excellent way to prove yourself as a bartender in a new state. You can effectively advertise your services and knowledge wherever you decide to go. Sign up for a program now!

Responsible Beverage Service training became mandatory on July 1st, 2022 for all on-premise alcoholic beverage servers and managers. To be certified, servers and managers must take an Alcoholic Beverage Control-approved RBS training program and an exam within 60 days of initial employment. After 60 days, if this training has not been completed, it will be illegal for the server or manager to serve alcoholic beverages. Obviously, if this affects you, your loved ones, or your business, you should carefully research RBS training in California and learn where to get it, or else you might be looking for a new job.

What Does RBS Training Cover?

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act contains 375 rules and regulations governing serving alcoholic beverages. It goes from the basics, such as checking ID and knowing when to refuse service, to the specifics of how the rate of alcohol absorption is affected by proof in a beverage. The test requires RBS training to take, and the training and test are to ensure that servers and managers understand the legalities of serving drinks.

Who Needs RBS Training in California?

Bar staff, drink servers, vendors, security staff, alcohol sellers, and anyone designated as an alcohol-serving establishment manager needs RBS training and certification. The ABC enforces the certification requirement in which the penalty for a first-time offender is a 10-day suspension of the employer’s liquor license. This requirement includes staff at wineries, distilleries, brewpubs, stadiums, bars, and restaurants. The training is a three- to four-hour self-paced course that bartenders, waitstaff, and their managers must take to pass the exam. The exam cannot be attempted without training from an ABC-certified RBS training program in California.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act designates an “alcohol server” as anyone who:

• Checks customer identification for purposes of alcoholic beverage entry
• Takes alcoholic beverage orders
• Pours alcoholic beverages
• Delivers alcoholic beverages to customers

What Is the Goal of RBS Training?

The goal of RBS training is to provide servers, waitstaff, and managers with the knowledge to curb the effects of underage drinking and the overuse of alcohol. Our program covers the consequences of over-serving a patron and intervention techniques that staff can use when dealing with an over-inebriated customer.

How Does It Work?

After purchasing our RBS training program for $12.50, employees must register with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Department with a $3 fee to receive a Student ID. After course completion, employees have 30 days and three attempts to pass the exam with a minimum score of 70%. If a minimum score of 70% isn’t achieved within three attempts, RBS training must be re-taken to retake the exam.

Protect California’s Communities

Servers who can identify when a customer comes into an establishment already inebriated and identify people who have been served enough alcohol play a vital role in protecting California’s communities. While most establishments had previously lacked formal training and rules around over-serving, RBS training provides the guidance and framework for all employees who handle alcoholic beverages. This means everyone will be working within the law and can keep patrons within safe limits.