Online RBS Training for California Alcohol Servers
Train to serve alcohol legally and responsibly in the state of California. Earn your Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) certification at your own pace with a 100% online training course available in English and Spanish. This ABC-approved RBS training lets you learn at home from any device as you prepare to take your ABC Alcohol Server Certification Exam.
Learn important alcohol safety principles like:
- The effects of alcohol on the human body in the short and long term
- State alcohol service laws
- How to refuse service to intoxicated or underage patrons
- Recognizing the importance of establishment policies
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control requires on-premises alcohol employees, including serves and managers, to complete Responsible Beverage Service Training and pass an ABC certification exam within 60 days of starting work. Before starting your training, you must register with the California ABC Responsible Beverage Service Portal to obtain a nine-digit server ID number. Your server ID number is required to start the training course and register for your exam.
FAQs
Who needs California Responsible Beverage Service Training?
As of July 1, 2022, all on-premises alcohol servers and managers of alcohol servers in California must complete RBS training and pass an Alcohol Server Certification Exam under Assembly Bill 1221 and Assembly Bill 82. According to AB 1221, alcohol servers include employees in on-premises licensed establishments who do any of the following:
- Check customer identification for the purchase of alcohol or entrance to an ABC-licensed establishment
- Take customer orders for alcoholic beverages
- Pour alcoholic beverages for customers
- Deliver alcoholic beverages to customers
When do I need to complete my California Responsible Beverage Service Training and exam?
All on-premises alcohol servers and managers of alcohol servers must complete RBS training and pass the Alcohol Server Certification Exam within 60 days of hire. Employees must take the state-administered exam within 30 days of completing RBS training.
What do I get at the end of this course?
Completing the course provides you with a certificate of completion for California Responsible Beverage Service training. That certificate permits you to schedule and take the ABC Alcohol Server Certification Exam.
Are additional steps required to complete my California RBS Training?
Yes. Before you can start your training, you must register online for access to the California Responsible Beverage Service Portal. You will receive a nine-digit server ID number. Once you have your server ID number, you can start your training course.
After your finish the course, StateFoodSafety will report your completion to ABC. You will receive an email from ABC within one to two days that says you may begin your exam. You must schedule and complete the ABC Alcohol Server Certification Exam within 30 days. You must pass the exam within 60 days of starting work.
How long is California Responsible Beverage Service training valid?
Your training is valid for three years. You must repeat your training before expiration for your certification to remain valid.
How do I renew my California RBS Training?
If your certification has lapsed, you must purchase and complete California Responsible Beverage Service training and pass the state-administered exam again.
Do I also need a California food handlers card?
If you also handle or serve food, California state law requires you to obtain a food handlers card within 30 days of starting work. StateFoodSafety offers a state-approved California food handlers program. Our course is approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and accredited by ANAB. We also provide approved county-specific food training courses for counties with additional food handlers requirements.
You may be classified as a food worker if your job requires you to handle or prepare food, food equipment, utensils and/or food contact surfaces. Some counties have additional food handler training requirements.