STATE APPROVED ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING
The Most Recommended RBS Training California
The state of California requires all on-premises alcoholic beverage servers and their managers to successfully complete an ABC approved California Responsible Beverage Service Training program and exam. As of 2022, our California RBS training certification course is approved by the California Alcoholic Beverage Control for RBS training California in both English and Spanish. It is the most recommended authorized California bartending license certification course online among the list of RBS training program providers. Since 2012, we have been a state approved Responsible Beverage Service training provider teaching California alcohol laws in English and Spanish, backed by over 35 years of experience certifying bartenders, servers and managers.
As of July 1, 2022, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control law mandates that establishments cannot employ or continue to employ any alcohol server without valid California alcohol handlers card training. Bartenders, servers, waiters, and managers who are newly employed are required to be RBS Certified within 60 days of hire.
User-Friendly & Easily Pass Your ABC Exam 100%
Our online California Responsible Beverage Service Training course is self-paced. For most people, the course along with the ABC RBS exam takes approximately one to two hours to complete. You can use any computer, tablet, iPhone, or Android device. After you complete our course, you will need to return to your RBS account on the state's website. Our course will help you easily get all the RBS exam answers correct and get immediately certified today. For those who are asking how to become a bartender in California, our online California RBS alcohol certification will get you officially certified so you can receive your CA bartender license today.
How To Get CA RBS Alcohol Server Training Certified
Register in the California ABC | RBS portal as an alcohol server (this includes managers of alcohol servers). | |
Take our California RBS training course online in English or Spanish. | |
Take the final exam in your RBS account after completing the course |
All can be done within 2 hours or less. We easily guide you on how to become a bartender in California with our self-paced course. Start now and easily get RBS training certified.
- Online interactive and self-paced training
- 100% Pass Guarantee or your money back
- 24/7 Customer Support Center
Business Account
Certify Staff with 15% Discount
Easily Train & Track Their Progress
Who Should Take Our ABC California Bartending License Course
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- Bartenders
- Bar backs
- Servers & Wait Staff
- Restaurant / Bar Supervisors
- Restaurant / Bar Managers & Owners
- Store Supervisors, Manager, & Owners
How Long Does It Take to Get RBS Certification
Our online California RBS training online course is self-paced. For most people, the course along with the ABC RBS exam takes approximately one to two hours to complete.
Is RBS Training Required in California
Yes. As of July 1st, 2022, the state California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) does require anyone who serves alcoholic beverages as a server, bartender, waiter, and manager to be California RBS certified by an approved training provider like Serving Alcohol.
Does a Bouncer Need to be RBS Certified
Yes. “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 that 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.
California Responsible Beverage Service
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: REGISTER WITH THE CALIFORNIA ABCAll servers and managers must create a personal RBS account in the state of California RBS website. You MUST have a 9-digit RBS server ID. They have a $3 fee to create your account and give you the required server ID. Click here for RBS Portal: https://abcbiz.abc.ca.gov/ Watch this short video to learn how to become a registered server or manager. |
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Step 2: COMPLETE APPROVED RBS TRAINING COURSEEnroll Now and begin your RBS training course here. We are an approved and recommended California RBS training provider. |
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Step 3: PASS STATE EXAMAfter completing the course, return to your RBS account on the state's website to take the exam for your certification. Completion of our course triggers the RBS portal to begin taking your exam. You MUST take the exam within 30 days of completing the course. You have 3 attempts to retake the exam if needed. |
To register as an alcohol server (including managers of alcohol servers), create an account in the RBS Portal (https://abcbiz.abc.ca.gov). Once an account has been created, you will need to select and complete the Server Registration form. There is a $3.00 fee for registration process. Watch a short video to learn how to become a registered server or manager. (https://abcbiz.abc.ca.gov) You will need your RBS server ID issued by the RBS portal to take an approved course.
Click Sign In at the top of the website to return to your California RBS Training course.
Return to the state's RBS portal website. The RBS portal is where you get your server ID and take the final exam to get certified.
For your California RBS Training course, click this link and fill in your registered email address. Our system will immediately email a new login password. If you do not see the response from us in your email inbox, be sure to check your spam or junk filter. Forgot Your Password? If you do not get your new password or have trouble using it, please feel free to send us a quick message through our Contact Us webpage.
Beginning July 1, 2022, any alcohol server and their manager must have a valid RBS certification from an ABC accredited RBS training provider like Serving Alcohol and pass an online ABC administered RBS exam within 60 calendar days from the first date of employment. It is important to note that all employers will require all servers and bartenders to complete our approved California Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) alcohol training certification per the state of California.
Passage of Assembly Bill 1221 in 2017 created the Responsible Beverage Service Training Act. The new mandate creates a new training requirement for an estimated 1,000,000 on-premises alcohol servers, their managers, and licensees beginning in mid 2021. (https://abcbiz.abc.ca.gov)
Your Server ID is in the “Server Certificate Details” box on your RBS portal dashboard (https://abcbiz.abc.ca.gov). It is called “ID Number” and is a nine-digit number.
Yes. Prior to March 29, 2021, none of the responsible beverage service training providers currently offering services in California were ABC approved for the required statewide mandate. Serving Alcohol Inc. was state approved for RBS certification training as of February 2022. (https://abcbiz.abc.ca.gov)
We are offering our approved RBS certification course for free for those who previously took our California alcohol seller server course after January 1st, 2021. You must use the same email address that you had used for our previous course to get enrolled for free. If you need our help, just use our Contact Us web page and send us a quick message. We strive to reply by email and resolve any issues within 2 hours or less. Often, it's within the hour.
The cost of your RBS account and to take the exam on the state's RBS website is $3. You must also take a outside approved California RBS Training course like ours for an additional cost. You will not be allowed to take the exam until the course is completed. When your training course has been completed and confirmed in your RBS account, your account will automatically be triggered to offer exam access.
In your RBS account, you will have 3 attempts to pass the exam with a 70% or better. If you do not pass the exam after 3 attempts, you are required to retake the training course and paying $3 again for another 3 attempts to pass the exam.
You MUST take the exam within 30 days of completing our course.
The state will not be issuing physical or downloadable RBS certificate. Upon completion of training and the RBS certification exam, the alcohol server will be issued a certification number from the RBS portal which is valid for three years. The alcohol server certification number is recorded on the Alcohol Server’s Dashboard in the training history at the bottom of the page of the RBS Portal. (https://abcbiz.abc.ca.gov)
Licensees and managers will be able to verify that their servers are RBS certified using the (certification number and the server’s name) as we get closer to the legal requirement for the mandatory statewide training.
The California Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training certification is valid for 3 years from the date of issuance.
The state RBS portal use digital certificates (https://abcbiz.abc.ca.gov). Your servers can provide you with a screenshot of their server dashboard. We are adding the ability to allow you to confirm your staff’s status through the portal, but that feature is not yet available. We expect it to be available in late spring.
- After the purchase of the course, we provide a downloadable PDF of our RBS training that details our California ABC approved RBS training course. You can use this downloadable course material to assist you while taking your RBS exam. It's also a great source to keep and reference anytime of our RBS training course knowledge of our approved RBS training course.
- The downloadable PDF is available from our instructions page before beginning the course & from a button in the menu of your course.
- Your are authorized to use our downloadable PDF to help assist you during the exam as it is an open-book test.
Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training educates people seeking employment or those who are currently employed as servers of alcoholic beverages at on-premises licensed locations. It provides servers with the necessary knowledge and skills to responsibly serve alcoholic beverages to avoid causing alcohol related harm to their communities.
Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) is ABC’s free voluntary prevention and education program for off-sale licensees and their employees. LEAD provides practical information on selling alcoholic beverages safely, responsibly and legally, and preventing illicit drug activity on or around their licensed establishment.
Although some local governments currently require servers working in their jurisdictions to attend a LEAD course, the ABC LEAD program will not fulfill the requirements mandated by AB-1221 and will not qualify as an ABC approved RBS Training when the new training mandate goes into effect in 2022.
- You must be 21 years old to serve alcohol.
- An person must be at least 18 years of age to sell alcohol off-sale. An off-sale licensee may employ a person under the age of 18 if that person is under the continuous supervision of a person 21 years of age or older.
- A person between 18 and 21 years of age employed in any bona fide public eating place, which is licensed for the on-sale of alcoholic beverages, may serve alcoholic beverages to consumers only if such service occurs in an area primarily designed and used for the sale and service of food for consumption on the premises, and the primary duties of the employee shall be the service of meals to guests, with the service of alcoholic beverages being incidental to such duties.
- Local ordinances also regulate server age.
Beginning in July 2022, any ABC licensee who has an “ABC On-Premises License” will need to have their staff (alcohol servers and managers of alcohol servers) trained and certified in RBS within sixty (60) days of the date of initial employment. This includes but is not limited to restaurants, bars, fast casual dining, tasting rooms (including off-sale locations), hotels, and stadiums.
RBS certification means that the alcohol server has successfully completed training by an ABC approved training provider (https://abcbiz.abc.ca.gov) and passed the RBS portal alcohol server certification exam (hosted by ABC). Once the server has successfully completed the training and exam, their certification is valid for 3 years. The alcohol server certification must be renewed prior to its expiration to remain valid.
“ABC On-Premises License” means an ABC license that grants the privilege to serve alcoholic beverages to customers who then consume them on the licensed premises.
Yes, a felony conviction only prevents a person from obtaining a liquor license in the state of California. A liquor license is the authorization to own and operate an alcohol serving establishment. That is different than the individual RBS certification required of all those who serve alcoholic beverages.
To be suitable as evidence for a defense, the identification card must be issued by a governmental agency and have a current description and a picture of the person presenting it which reasonably describes the person as to date of birth weight, height, sex and color of eyes and hair. No defense will exist if the card has obviously been altered or has expired.
In the event an Armed Forces identification card, Passport or Passport Card is provided as proof of identity and lacks a physical description, but does include date of birth and a photo, further proof of identity shall not be required.
A registration certificate issued under the Federal Selective Service Act is no longer considered documentary evidence of age, identity and date of birth.
Green cards and International Driver's Licenses are NOT acceptable forms of ID.
- A valid current driver's license or photo ID card.
- A valid Armed Forces ID;
- A valid U.S. passport or foreign passport (with U.S. travel visa) containing the holder's photograph.
We have over 35 plus years of experience and consider the most reputable and recommended training provider in the service of alcohol certification. Our founder, Robert Pomplun, has been involved in the hospitality industry as an alcohol certification consultant, instructor, manager, and coordinator. Our alcohol training and certification courses with Robert's guidance have benefited tens of thousands of bartenders, servers, managers, owners, and security staff across the nation. Our courses will prepare you and your team with knowledge as the most critical component of responsible alcohol service.
Learn more About Us!
All you need is a smartphone, tablet, computer, Internet connection, and time. That's it!
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- Mac OSX or better
- Chromebook OS ver. 80 or better
- Android based tablet or phone (version 7.0 or better)
- iPhone 6 or better (iOS 12 or better)
- iPad 4 or better (iOS 12 or better)
Use These Web Browsers:
- Google Chrome ver. 80 or better
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- Safari 12 or better
- Microsoft Edge version 90 or better
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They do not work well with interactive online training courses. If you currently use any of these web browsers, please switch to the native Google Chrome on your Android device or Safari browser on your iPhone or iPad. You will have a much better and quicker user experience. |
We highly recommend Google Chrome when taking this course. It's much faster and more efficient with interactive training courses.
Clear the Cache in your Web Browser:
Online interactive learning courses are more demanding of your computer or device than regular websites. We highly recommend clearing your web browser before beginning. The course will react better and quicker. It takes only 30 seconds. Besides, it greatly helps to increase the speed of your browser on the Internet for all websites. Click here to select your device and browser for specific and easy instructions.
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Food Handler Training course
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Proprietary Security Officer
(PSO or PPSO)
(PSO or PPSO)
California Proprietary Security
State Approved Training for Insurance Compliance
(CALIFORNIA Clients PSO or PPSO)
The State of California mandates that all in-house guards or bouncers, known as Proprietary Private Security Officers (PSO) under the law, complete 16-hours of job-specific training as part of their licensing process. This requirement can be satisfied online through our interactive course. BSIS Approved 16-Hour Online PSO Training.
What is the Definition of an Alcohol Server
ABC On-Premises License
ABC license that grants the privilege to serve alcoholic drinks to patrons who then consume them within the licensed premises.
Alcohol Server
Anyone who:
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- checks customer IDs for the purpose of alcoholic beverage service or entry to an ABC on-premises licensed establishment,
- takes customer alcoholic beverage orders,
- pours alcoholic beverages for customers, or
- delivers alcoholic beverages to customers.
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Manager
Anyone who directly hires alcohol servers, oversees alcohol servers at an ABC licensed premises, or trains alcohol servers how to perform the service of alcohol for consumption for an ABC on-premises licensee.
Advantages to our online course:
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- Easily complete at your own pace
- Login and out of course as many times as needed to complete
- Up to 6 months to complete your course
- After the course is completed, you MUST take the RBS exam within 30 days on the state's website: https://abcbiz.abc.ca.gov/
Our California RBS training course strictly follows the guidelines provided by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control on how to become a bartender in California. This certification course is often referred to as California responsible beverage server training, California bartending license, California RBS server permit, or California alcohol certification. This course is needed and required for all servers, bartenders, and managers within the state who serve alcoholic beverages. It is also required of the security staff or bouncers who check IDs of those patrons of alcoholic beverage serving establishments. Our California alcohol training certification incorporates decades of research. It answers questions such as "how old do you have to be to serve alcohol in California". Our CA bartending license gives you the rules, regulations, and liquor license California laws set by California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for California .