Disclaimer:
We're not lawyers—just friendly helpers! 🍻 This document isn’t intended to serve as legal advice. Alcohol laws are like recipes—every city, county, and state has its own unique regulations. For the most accurate guidance on local rules, reach out to your state liquor control board (they're the real experts here). While Certivance provides resources and keeps an eye on state-level regulations, always double-check with your local authorities—because even the best need a second opinion! 😉
Regulatory Contacts:
California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
3927 Lennane Drive
Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: | 916-419-2500 |
Email: | |
Department Search: | |
Website: |
Service Facts:
Legal Drinking Age | 21 |
Age to Consume | 21 |
Service to Minors | NO |
Employment of Minors | YES |
Age to Serve | The minimum age to serve alcohol is 21 if the business's primary purpose is alcohol service. However, employees as young as 18 may serve alcohol in a bona fide eating establishment, provided they work in an area primarily focused on food sales and service, with alcohol service being incidental to their overall duties. (§ 25667 & 25663) |
Age to Sell | 18 |
Age to Pour | 21 |
Age to Sell Packaged Alcohol | 18 If supervised by someone 21 years or older. |
State Training Program:
The Responsible Beverage Service Training Program (RBSTP), created by Assembly Bill 1221 in 2017, aims to reduce alcohol-related harm in local communities. It was developed to educate on-premises alcohol servers and their managers about the risks of serving alcohol to minors and over-serving patrons. The program ensures that individuals in various establishments, such as bars, restaurants, tasting rooms, clubs, and stadiums, are properly trained to serve alcohol responsibly.
The program requires any on-premises server or manager to register in the RBS Portal, complete training from an authorized provider, and pass the ABC Alcohol Server Certification exam within 30 days of their training. This training is available in several languages, including English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese, with exams also offered in multiple languages. Certification must be completed within 60 days of employment and remains valid for three years. Servers must be recertified before their certification expires.
The goal of the RBSTP is to ensure that alcohol service is handled responsibly to prevent underage drinking and excessive alcohol consumption, ultimately contributing to safer communities across California. Training providers approved by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) ensure the curriculum meets state regulations, though the department does not verify non-regulated content from these providers.
State Program Facts:
Program Type | Mandatory |
Training Requirements | Servers and Managers |
Certification Expiration | 3 Years |
Other Links:
California Liquor Law | |
California RBS |
Ready to elevate your skills? Enroll in our state-approved Certified Alcohol Training course today and start your journey toward mastering responsible alcohol service and ensuring compliance! 🍻🎓