Wisconsin Bartending License

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Wisconsin State Approved Responsible Alcohol Seller/Server Course
Wisconsin Bartender License Course $16

Need On-Premises Training? back to the top

We offer in-person training seminars in Wisconsin through our parent company Loss Control Services Inc. please call Robert Pomplun at (763) 545-5981 for pricing and availability.

Available services:

Seminars for staff, security, and management training
Establishment risk assessments for loss prevention
Consulting for problem situations or special needs

Wisconsin State Liquor Authority

State of Wisconsin
Department of Revenue - Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement
2135 Rimrock Road
P.O. Box 8933 Mail Stop 6-40
Madison, Wisconsin 53708-8933
Phone: 608-266-6757
Fax: 608-261-6240
Internet Website: WI DOR Website

Codes and Ordinance site for MANY municipalities in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Alcohol Ages

Age to consume: 21
Age to serve: 18
Age to sell (retail): 18
Age to pour: 18
Wisconsin Alcohol Hours of Operation

On Premise Establishments Hours of Operation

Sunday thru Thursday 6:00 a.m. - 2 a.m. (the next day)
Friday & Saturday 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 a.m. (the next day)
There is no closing time for the New Year's holiday.
No carry out sales between 12:00 midnight - 6:00am

- local ordinances may further restrict carry out sales hours

Off Premise Hours of Operation

Wine & Liquor

Monday thru Sunday, 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Wine Sampling 11:00am until 7:00pm

Beer

Monday thru Sunday, 8:00 a.m. until Midnight
Beer Sampling 11:00am until 7:00pm

Wisconsin's DRAM Shop Law

125.035 Civil liability exemption: furnishing alcohol beverages.
(1) In this section, person has the meaning given in s. 990.01 (26).
(2) A person is immune from civil liability arising out of the act of procuring alcohol beverages for or selling, dispensing or giving away alcohol beverages to another person.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if the person procuring, selling, dispensing or giving away alcohol beverages causes their consumption by force or by representing that the beverages contain no alcohol.
(4) (a) In this subsection, provider means a person, including a licensee or permittee, who procures alcohol beverages for or sells, dispenses or gives away alcohol beverages to an underage person in violation of s. 125.07 (1) (a).(b) Subsection (2) does not apply if the provider knew or should have known that the underage person was under the legal drinking age and if the alcohol beverages provided to the underage person were a substantial factor in causing injury to a 3rd party. In determining whether a provider knew or should have known that the underage person was under the legal drinking age, all relevant circumstances surrounding the procuring, selling, dispensing or giving away of the alcohol beverages may be considered, including any circumstance under subds. 1. to 4. In addition, sub.(2) does apply if all of the following occur:

1. The underage person falsely represents that he or she has attained the legal drinking age.
2. The underage person supports the representation with documentation that he or she has attained the legal drinking age.
3. The alcohol beverages are provided in good faith reliance on the underage persons representation that he or she has attained the legal drinking age.
4. The appearance of the underage person is such that an ordinary and prudent person would believe that he or she had attained the legal drinking age.
(5) Subsection (2) does not apply to civil forfeiture actions for violation of any provision of this chapter or any local ordinance in conformity with any provision of this chapter.

Alcohol Awareness

Intoxication and alcohol elimination factors
The affects of blood alcohol content
Signs of impairment; poly-impairments and club drugs

Server Responsibilities

Monitor, card, intervene, and document
Duty of care; drinking is a privilege
SCAB customer unwanted behavior assessment

Carding

When and why to check ID
7 Steps of Checking IDs

Inteventions

When to intervene
Intervention methods and techniques

Wisconsin Alcohol Laws

Current Wisconsin laws
Valid Wisconsin identification procedures and techniques
Surrounding states IDs

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Wisconsin State Alcohol Law back to the top

Our online responsible beverage server training course (aka Bartender License Course) has been reviewed and approved by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and fully complies with statues 125.04, 125.17, and 134.66
See information below on how to get a Bartending License
Takes 2 to 4 hours to complete
Print your certificate upon completion
Stop and start where you left off at another time
Works on any computer
Works on any connection even dial-up
Six months access to the course and certificate printing
Pay with Mastercard, Visa, AMEX, Discover, PayPal, or e-check using PayPal
We value your service and your opinions, any feedback will be evaluated for inclusion in our course or website
If you have technical problems we will work to correct them and/or issue a refund. We will refund your money if you do not pass. (100% Pass Guarantee)

You must obtain an operator (bartending) license from each municipality (city, town or village) you work in once you've passed our Wisconsin Alcohol Seller-Server course. You may work under the "immediate supervision" of another licensed bartender (or the licensee) without an operator's license.

The city clerk typically issues an "operator or bartender license"
The requirements differ per municipality
See below for a listing of Wisconsin municipalities and links to license applications.
Typically you do not need a job to receive a Bartender's license through the city clerk
If you have a criminal record (DUI or other) then the municipality will weigh the nature of the violation, the time that has elapsed since the violation, the person's overall record in the community, etc., in making that determination. See below to search for your city, or this page for more information about specific statewide rules

To qualify for an operator's license, you must...

be at least 18 years old
meet criminal record requirements
complete a responsible beverage server course. (we recommend our course)

note: the last requirement can be waived if it is a renewal application or if you held an alcohol beverage license, including an operator's license, within the past two years. The municipality may issue you a provisional operator's license if you are enrolled in a responsible beverage server course when you apply. An operator's license is only good in the municipality that issues it. For instance, if you are issued an operator's license in the City of Milwaukee, you may not use it in a suburban municipality, like Franklin.

A criminal record may prevent you from getting a license, see the municipality you want to work in below, ask the city clerk about specifics if they are not mentioned in the Bartender's License Instructions below.

Read more about operator licenses at the Wisconsin Department of Revenue's Website

Wisconsin Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Laws for Retailers

FAQs about Wisconsin Alcohol Laws

Social host liability regarding underage drinking in Wisconsin

Listing of Tobacco Manufacturers and Brands that can be sold legally in Wisconsin

Municipalities

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Course Outline

How to get your Bartender License

Wisconsin State Alcohol Laws

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