The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has launched a new Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training portal for an estimated one million alcoholic beverage licensees, managers and servers who own, manage or serve alcohol at locations with on-sale privileges such as bars, clubs, restaurants, wineries, breweries and distilleries.
The online RBS Portal is now available. With the release of ABC’s new RBS Portal, employees who serve alcohol at locations with on-premises consumption privileges will be able to register as a server with ABC, and then search for approved training providers all in one place. Upon completion of an approved RBS training course, the server will be able to return to the RBS Portal to take their alcohol server certification exam. The approved RBS training programs are designed to provide licensees, managers and servers with the tools and knowledge needed to promote responsible consumption, reduce youth access to alcohol, and make communities safer.
The training is a requirement of Assembly Bill 1221. The bill was signed into law in 2017 and created the Responsible Beverage Service Training Act. Key parameters of the legislation call for the implementation of mandatory training that will take effect on July 1, 2022, as well as the development and regulation of standards for the approval of RBS training providers.
Prospective RBS Trainers who will train servers to safely and responsibly serve alcohol, are encouraged to submit their applications to ABC on the same RBS Portal as soon as possible. ABC will review the trainer applications to determine if they can be certified.
Beginning July 1, 2022, any alcohol server, on-sale licensees, and their managers must have a valid RBS certification from an ABC approved RBS training provider and pass an online ABC administered RBS exam within 60 calendar days from the effective date of the law or, if newly hired, from the first date of employment.
The state approved RBS training becomes mandatory July 1, 2022, however, if you are currently required to take an RBS class for employment, you may use the RBS Portal to identify an approved RBS Training Provider or contact your employer or local governing body to inquire if there is a specific approved RBS training provider you must use.
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