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How to Get Your RBS Certification
RBS Certification for California Alcohol Servers
Need your RBS Certification? We’ve got you covered! As a family‑owned company, we love helping businesses of every size succeed while keeping guests safe. Have questions? Just drop us an email and say hello—we’re here to help.
As of 2022, our Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) certification course has been approved by the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) in both English and Spanish.
Serving All of California: Whether you’re in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, or any point in between, our California RBS certification training meets state requirements. No matter where you work in CA, our online course has you covered.
If you need help with your California ABC certification, our USA-based support is availble to respond and resolve your issue within minutes.
Have questions? Jump to FAQs
What is My RBS Server ID Number?
You will need a California RBS server ID number to serve alcoholic beverages.
Once you enroll in our course, we’ll guide you through the RBS portal registration (there’s a $3.00 fee), and then you just need to pass the ABC exam to become state‑certified.
Registering in the state’s RBS portal will get your 9-digit Server ID. It is required for your California RBS Certification.
Your server ID number and status are in the Server Certificate Details section of the RBS portal dashboard.
RBS training is necessary for all on-premises alcoholic beverage servers and security staff members in California.
Servers must complete RBS Certification within 60 days of hire.
Who Should Take Our
California RBS Training
- Bartenders
- Servers and Waitstaff
- Barbacks
- Door Security Guard
- Bar Supervisors
- Bar Managers
- Bar Owners
- Nightclub Bartenders & Managers
- Any Person Who Serves Alcohol
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RBS certification?
RBS Certification stands for Responsible Beverage Service Certification, a legal requirement for anyone who serves or manages alcohol in California. As of July 1, 2022, California Assembly Bill 1221 mandates that all alcohol servers and their managers complete an approved RBS training program and pass the final exam administered through the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) RBS Portal.
Once you pass the exam, your certification is valid for three years and is recorded in the state’s official database. RBS training helps reduce alcohol-related harm by teaching responsible serving practices, how to check IDs, how to avoid over-serving, and how to reduce the establishment’s liability.
Who needs it? Any server, bartender, or manager serving alcohol in an on-premise licensed establishment.
Is it mandatory? Yes — as of July 1, 2022.
Where do I get certified? Through an ABC-approved provider like Serving Alcohol, and passing the official ABC RBS exam.
For a detailed breakdown of what to expect on the exam and answers to common questions, visit our blog: California RBS Training and Exam FAQs
What is RBS Certification and who needs it in California?
RBS Certification (Responsible Beverage Service Certification) is a mandatory training and exam program required by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) for all alcohol servers and their managers. This certification ensures that individuals working in bars, restaurants, and other on-premise licensed establishments understand how to responsibly serve alcoholic beverages, prevent over-service, and check IDs correctly.
Who needs it?
As of July 1, 2022, anyone who serves, sells, or manages alcohol service in California must obtain RBS Certification, including:
- Bartenders
- Servers
- Bussers who deliver alcohol
- Barbacks
- Supervisors or managers of alcohol servers
RBS training must be completed through an ABC-approved provider, and individuals must pass the official RBS exam through the California RBS Portal. Certification is valid for 3 years.
Is a California Bartender License Required?
Yes. As of July 1st, 2022, the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control requires anyone who serves alcoholic beverages as a California bartender, server, waiter, or manager to take a California RBS course with an ABC-accredited state-approved training provider like Serving Alcohol.
How long does RBS training take?
California Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training duration varies depending on the provider and the learner’s pace. Generally, it takes 1.5 to 4 hours to complete.
Serving Alcohol’s course generally takes 1-2 hours.
The course is self-paced and available online, allowing you to start, pause, and resume at your convenience. After completing the training, you must pass the ABC Alcohol Server Certification Exam within 30 days.
How long does RBS Certification last?
Upon completing our course and passing the RBS exam through the California RBS portal, your California certification will be valid for 3 years. For answers to frequently asked questions about California RBS Certification, read our California RBS Training FAQ page.
Servers Must Pass the ABC Alcohol Server Certification Exam
Yes, under California law, all alcohol servers and their managers must pass the official California ABC RBS alcohol server certification exam. This exam is required as part of the state’s Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training Program, which was enacted under Assembly Bill 1221 and enforced by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).
To become compliant:
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Register on the California RBS Portal and receive a unique Server ID.
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Complete an ABC-approved RBS training course, such as the one offered by Serving Alcohol.
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Pass the ABC-administered certification exam within 30 days of finishing the training.
The exam is online, open-book, and must be completed with a score of 70% or higher. You have up to three attempts to pass. Once passed, your certification is recorded in the RBS Portal and valid for three years.
This step is mandatory for bartenders, servers, managers, and anyone who sells or serves alcohol on-site at licensed establishments throughout California.
What happens after I pass the ABC RBS exam?
Once you pass the California RBS exam through the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) RBS Portal, your certification is automatically recorded in the state’s database and is valid for 3 years. You do not receive a physical certificate from the ABC, but employers can verify your certification status online using your Server ID.
Here’s what happens next:
Your RBS Certification status is updated in the official ABC RBS Portal.
Your employer can verify your certification using your Server ID number.
You now legally comply with California’s alcohol server law (AB 1221).
You can serve alcohol in any on-premise licensed establishment across the state.
Note: You can log in to your RBS Portal account anytime to check your certification status or expiration date.
For more guidance on preparing for the RBS exam or what to expect, visit our blog: California RBS Training and Exam FAQs
Does The Manager Of A Licensed Establishment Need To Obtain An RBS Certification?
Yes, managers of licensed establishments in California must obtain RBS certification if they directly oversee or train staff who serve alcohol, or if they themselves serve alcohol. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) requires that both alcohol servers and their managers comply with the state’s Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training Program, as mandated by Assembly Bill 1221.
According to ABC guidelines, a “manager” is any person who trains, oversees, or directly supervises alcohol service staff in an on-premises licensed business, including restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, and stadiums. Even if the manager doesn’t personally serve drinks, they are still required to:
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Register on the ABC RBS Portal
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Complete an ABC-approved RBS training course
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Pass the ABC alcohol server certification exam
Once certified, the manager’s RBS status remains valid for three years, and employers can verify it in the state portal using the Server ID.
RBS certification helps ensure that all staff and supervisors understand how to prevent underage drinking, recognize intoxication, and maintain compliance with California alcohol laws.
Does a Bouncer Need to be RBS Certified?
Yes, security personnel need to be RBS certified. “Serving alcoholic beverages for consumption” applies to any server at a licensed premises and security guards checking IDs at the door of a licensed premises. Security guards who do not check IDs do not have to be RBS certified. This will require careful structuring of personnel by security services and by large venue employers.
How Can An Employer Check If A Person Is RBS Certified?
The ABC is using digital certificates. The digital certificate is located on the dashboard in the Server Account for the ABC RBS portal website under Server Certificate Details.
Employers can check and confirm certification via the Licensee Login on the RBS Portal. If you have questions regarding the exam or certification, you will need to contact the state directly at rbstp@abc.ca.gov
How do I log into the RBS Portal?
To log into the California Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Portal, follow these steps:
Visit the RBS Portal:
Go to the official RBS Portal at https://abcbiz.abc.ca.gov/.
Click “Log In”:
On the homepage, click the “Log In” button.
Enter Your Credentials:
Input the email address and password associated with your RBS account. If you’ve forgotten your login details, use the “Forgot Username” or “Forgot Password” links to reset them.
Access Your Dashboard:
After logging in, you’ll be directed to your Server Dashboard to manage your training, certification status, and other account details.
You must create an account and complete the server application if you haven’t registered yet.
For a step-by-step guide on registering and navigating the RBS Portal, refer to our blog: California RBS Training Server Instructions.
For a visual walkthrough of the registration process, you might find this video helpful:
Is Serving Alcohol an approved RBS training provider?
Serving Alcohol Inc., in business since 2007, is an approved Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training provider recognized by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Their RBS training program complies with the requirements outlined in California Assembly Bill 1221, ensuring that alcohol servers and their managers receive proper education on responsible beverage service practices.
The Serving Alcohol course is designed to help individuals understand the laws and responsibilities associated with serving alcoholic beverages in California. Upon completing the training, participants are eligible to take the ABC-administered RBS certification exam. Passing this exam results in a certification valid for three years, as recorded in the state’s RBS Portal..
To verify the approval status of Serving Alcohol Inc. or any other RBS training provider, you can consult the list of approved providers on the California ABC’s official website: https://abcbiz.abc.ca.gov/trainingProviders.
