Illinois
BASSET Certification
- ILCC State-Approved Provider
- License #5A-0105593
- 100% Mobile Friendly
- No Timers & Unlimited Exam Attempts
- Instant Certificate Download
Illinois BASSET Certification – ILCC State Approved Training Online
Get certified quickly with our mobile-friendly, self-paced training. ILCC-approved for both on-premise and off-premise alcohol service.
What is BASSET Certification in Illinois?
BASSET Certification — short for Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training — is a state-mandated alcohol server training program regulated by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC). It ensures that anyone who sells, serves, or checks IDs for alcohol service in Illinois is properly trained to prevent underage sales, recognize signs of intoxication, and follow Illinois alcohol laws.
Topics covered include:
- How to check ID properly (including ,electronic IDs, and spot fake IDs)
- How to recognize and handle intoxicated customers
- Preventing sales to minors
- Overview of Illinois liquor laws and local ordinances
Our ILCC-approved BASSET certification course covers both on-premise and off-premise alcohol service. Whether you’re bartending at a restaurant or checking IDs at a liquor store, this certification is legally required. Serving Alcohol Inc. has proudly trained Illinois alcohol sellers since 2011 and is recognized by employers and the ILCC as a preferred provider.
Once you complete the course and pass the final exam, you’ll receive a temporary BASSET certificate instantly. Your certification record is submitted to the ILCC within 24 hours and becomes part of the state’s digital compliance database.
This training is commonly referred to as the Illinois bartending license, BASSET card, or alcohol server license. You must earn your certification within 120 days of hire and renew it every 3 years.
We are an officially approved provider by the state of Illinois.
ILCC License Number: 5A-0105593
On-Premise vs Off-Premise BASSET Certification in Illinois – What’s the Difference?
Our On-Premise Certificate is required if you are an Illinois bartender, server, or manager in a bar, nightclub, restaurant, or event.
Our Off-Premise Certificate is required if you sell alcohol only as a liquor store clerk or convenience store employee.
Who Needs BASSET Training?
30,000+ Illinois alcohol sellers trained
If you work in the Illinois hospitality industry and serve or sell alcohol, you are required to complete BASSET certification. This includes employees of:
- Bars, restaurants, and clubs (on-premise)
- Grocery stores, liquor stores, and gas stations (off-premise)
- Event venues, catering companies, and mobile bartending services
You must also complete BASSET training if you are:
- A bouncer or door staff checking IDs
- A manager or supervisor overseeing alcohol sales
- A temporary or seasonal server hired for public events
Common job titles requiring BASSET training include:
- Bartenders
- Servers and Waitstaff
- Barbacks
- Door Security Guard
- Bar Supervisors
- Bar Managers
- Bar Owners
- Nightclub Bartenders & Managers
- Any Person Who Serves Alcohol
How to Get Your BASSET Certification Online
Getting BASSET certified online in Illinois is fast, affordable, and mobile-friendly. Follow these simple steps:
- Choose an ILCC-approved BASSET provider like Serving Alcohol.
- Select your course type – on-premise (for bars, restaurants) or off-premise (for stores, retail).
- Complete the training at your own pace – no timers, fully self-paced, works on all devices.
- Pass the final exam – unlimited attempts are allowed.
- Download your temporary BASSET certificate instantly and start working right away.
- Your certification is automatically submitted to the ILCC, where your record becomes available in their digital lookup system.
Our Illinois BASSET Certification course is ILCC-approved, fully online, and instantly downloadable — no need to wait for mail or paper cards.
Chicago and all Illinois counties follow the same ILCC training mandate: to remain compliant, you must be BASSET certified within 120 days of hire and renew every 3 years.
How To Renew Your Basset Certificate
Your Basset license is valid for 3 years from the date of issuance. After or just before your bartending certification expires, to continue service, you must retake the BASSET training to renew it. If you took our training previously, you’ll pass the course fast and be certified within a few hours on the same day.
Illinois BASSET Frequently Asked Questions
What is BASSET and What Does it Mean?
BASSET stands for Beverage Alcohol Sellers and Servers Education and Training. It’s an Illinois state-mandated certification program overseen by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) that educates alcohol servers and sellers on responsible service, DUI prevention, and local laws. Completion of BASSET training is required for most roles in the hospitality and retail alcohol industries across Illinois.
Is a BASSET License Required?
Yes. Illinois requires alcohol servers and sellers to obtain BASSET certification to legally serve or sell alcohol. This requirement applies to bartenders, waitstaff, bouncers, cashiers, and managers. The certification must be obtained within 120 days of hire and is valid statewide for three years.
What’s the Difference Between a BASSET Certificate and License?
The BASSET certificate is proof that you’ve completed the ILCC-approved training. The license to serve alcohol is generally issued or recognized by your local municipality or employer, which may require you to provide proof of BASSET certification. In most cases, you’ll need both to work legally.
How Do I Get an Illinois BASSET Certification?
Need your basset on the fly today? You can complete your BASSET certification online through a state-approved provider like Serving Alcohol. Just enroll in the on-premise or off-premise BASSET course, complete the training at your own pace, and pass the final exam. You’ll receive a temporary certificate instantly, and your records will be submitted to the ILCC within 24 hours.
How Much is a BASSET License in Illinois?
At Serving Alcohol, our ILCC-approved BASSET certification course is just $12.99. This includes on-demand access, unlimited exam attempts, and a downloadable certificate. Additional fees may apply locally if your city or employer requires a separate server license.
How to Get a Bartending License in Chicago, Illinois
To get a bartending license in Chicago, you must complete a BASSET certification course approved by the ILCC. This applies to all alcohol servers in the city, including bartenders, barbacks, and waitstaff. Once certified, your employer or local municipality may also require you to register your certificate.
Is On-Premise BASSET Different from Off-Premise BASSET?
Yes. On-premise BASSET certification is required for staff who serve alcohol where it is consumed, such as in bars and restaurants. Off-premise BASSET is for those who sell alcohol to-go, like in liquor stores, gas stations, or grocery stores. Serving Alcohol offers both options, and they can be bundled at checkout.
How Long Does Illinois BASSET Certification Take?
Most users complete the BASSET course within 4 hours. There are no timers or mandatory wait periods; you can pause and resume anytime. Our training is 100% mobile-friendly and available 24/7.
How Long is Illinois BASSET Certification Good For?
Your BASSET certification is valid for 3 years from the date of issuance. After it expires, you must retake the course to comply with Illinois law.
Who Controls Liquor Licensing in Illinois?
The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) regulates alcohol seller and server certification statewide. Local cities and counties may impose additional licensing requirements or enforcement rules, so it’s important to check with your municipality or employer.
See our name listed in approved providers: https://ilcc.illinois.gov/divisions/education/programs/basset/basset-trainers.html
Illinois Local Liquor Laws & Ordinances by County
Local liquor laws vary across Illinois. For example, some counties may enforce specific training timelines, restrict hours of alcohol sales, or issue local server permits in addition to BASSET certification. See our Illinois liquor law guide for details by county.
Learn more about Illinois’ Happy Hour laws.
Understand Illinois Dram Shop liability laws.
Is This Training Valid in Chicago?
Yes. This ILCC-approved BASSET training is valid in Chicago and every other city and county in Illinois. The state stores your BASSET record digitally, and you can verify it anytime using the ILCC BASSET card lookup tool.
llinois BASSET Lookup & Card Replacement
If you completed your BASSET certification through Serving Alcohol, your training record is submitted to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) on the designated dates determined by the ILCC regarding your passing score of your final exam.
As of 2025, the ILCC no longer prints, mails, or emails BASSET cards. Instead, your official BASSET certification is stored digitally and available for verification through the state’s BASSET card lookup system.
Important BASSET Certification Rules
- You must complete your BASSET training within 120 days of hire.
- BASSET certification is valid for 3 years.
- ILCC processing for digital records may take up to 45 days, though most are available sooner.
BASSET Certification Look Up and BASSET Card FAQs
How Do I Verify or Look Up My BASSET Certification?
You can verify your certification through the official ILCC BASSET card lookup tool. Enter your name or date of birth to confirm your certification is active.
How Do I Find My BASSET Card Online?
- Visit the ILCC BASSET Card Lookup Tool.
- Enter your:
- Last name
- Date of birth
- Student ID (found at the bottom of your Serving Alcohol certificate)
- Last name
View and print your digital BASSET card directly from the ILCC website.
When Will My BASSET Card Be Available?
The ILCC usually processes your BASSET record within 1–3 business days of completing the course. Serving Alcohol submits records on the days designated by the ILCC. Once processed, your certification will appear in the ILCC lookup tool.
How Long Does It Take to Receive My BASSET Card?
The ILCC no longer mails or email cards. After completing your BASSET training, you can download a temporary certificate instantly from Serving Alcohol and confirm your official record using the ILCC’s card lookup tool.
How to Download My Official BASSET Card?
You can’t directly download a BASSET card from the ILCC. Instead, use the ILCC lookup tool to verify your certification. Your official record is maintained digitally by the state. Serving Alcohol provides an instant certificate download after you complete the course.
What Happens if I Lose My BASSET Certificate?
No problem. You can log back into your Serving Alcohol account and download your temporary certificate again. Your official record remains on file with the ILCC and can be verified anytime.
What If My BASSET Certificate Doesn’t Show Up?
If your BASSET record isn’t visible in the ILCC lookup system after 30 business days, first check that you completed the course. If you did, contact the Serving Alcohol support to verify submission. The ILCC can also confirm your status.
What to Do If My ILCC Card is Delayed?
Delays can happen due to high volume or data entry issues. If it’s been more than 30 business days since passing your BASSET exam and your record hasn’t appeared, reach out to Serving Alcohol or contact the ILCC directly.