California Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training FAQs
The responsible beverage service (RBS) training provides the required practice to responsibly serve alcoholic beverages to patrons. The training program was initiated after the passage of Assembly Bill 1221 in 2017 to reduce alcohol-related harm to local communities. According to the mandate released, the on-premises servers, waiters, and managers working in an alcohol-serving establishment must have a valid RBS certificate from an ABC-accredited RBS training provider. They should also pass the online RBS exam within sixty days from the first date of employment as of July 1st, 2022.
If you are a server, waiter, or manager in an alcohol-serving establishment, you may have some questions regarding responsible beverage service training. Here are some frequently asked questions about the same.
Question #1: Do I Need a Certificate to Serve Alcohol in California?
Yes. If you are an on-premises server, waiter, or manager in a building that serves alcoholic drinks, you are required to complete an ABC- approved RBS training program and pass the exam before July 1, 2022. You can enroll in an alcohol certification class by A+ Server Education to complete the RBS training.
Question #2: Why did the Implementation Date for the Mandatory RBS Training Change from July 2021 to July 2022?
Initially set implementation date for the mandatory RBS training was changed from July 2021 to July 2022 after Assembly Bill 82 was passed.
Question #3: What is the Procedure for Taking the RBS Exam?
You will first have to register yourself as an alcohol server with ABC, for which the registration fee is $3.00 for the state. You can register at this ABC portal, where complete details are provided based on your role. They will give you an RBS identification number which you will then use to enroll in an ABC- approved alcohol server education class. Once your Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training is complete, you will get an email with detailed instructions on how to take the ABC exam. The class you completed your training from will upload your training details and other fields to the state within one day of your course completion.
Question #4: How Long is RBS Valid For?
The state-issued RBS certificate is valid for three years. A server, bartender, waiter, or manager serving alcoholic drinks will have to give the exam again after three years to maintain their RBS certificate.
Question #5: Do I Need to Retake RBS Training Course and Pass an Exam if I Recently Completed the Course?
Yes. If you took the training before March 29, 2021, you must retake the RBS training course and pass the exam to still be certified after July 2022. Most responsible beverage service training providers currently providing services in California were not ABC- approved before March 29, 2021. A+ Server Education is an approved ABC RBS training provider.
About A+ Server Education
Get trained for a responsible beverage service program by enrolling yourself in A+ Server Education’s alcohol server education class. We have over 15 years of experience in the industry, which qualifies us to give you the knowledge needed to get your permit. If you have any questions about our training courses, contact us at (503) 740-5509 or our toll-free number (877) 740-5509. You can also email us for more information.
