Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training – What, Who, and When
What is the purpose of RBS Training?
The Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training Program was created by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The purpose of RBS Training is:
- to train individuals who are seeking employment or are currently employed as servers of alcoholic beverages or as managers of such servers
- to provide servers with the knowledge and skills to responsibly serve alcoholic beverages in order to prevent:
- underage drinking
- alcohol-related incidents, such as injuries, property damage, public disturbances, and illegal activity
- damage to businesses, such as fines, closings, loss of liquor licenses, and lost jobs
Who must take RBS Training?
The California Responsible Beverage Service Training Program Act of 2017 specifies that anyone who sells or serves alcoholic beverages to be consumed on-premises and anyone who manages such sellers or servers must be certified by an approved training provider.
You are considered an ALCOHOL SERVER if you do any of the following:
- Check IDs
- Take customers’ orders for alcoholic beverages
- Pour alcoholic beverages for customers
- Deliver alcoholic beverages to customers
You are considered a MANAGER OF ALCOHOL SERVERS if you train, directly hire, or oversee alcohol servers.
When must RBS Training be completed?
If a server or manager was employed prior to July 1, 2022, they must be trained and certified by August 31, 2022. If their employment begins on or after July 1, 2022, they must obtain a certificate within 60 calendar days from their first day of employment.
Servers and managers must be re-certified every three years.
