Responsible Beverage Service Training Program

Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training under the requirements of AB 1221 (Gonzalez, 2017) will become mandatory on July 1, 2022. Any California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) licensee who has an “ABC On-Premises License,” including winery tasting rooms, will need to have all alcohol servers and managers trained and certified in RBS no later than Aug. 31. New staff will have 60 days from the date of initial employment to receive certification. 

Wine Institute Member Discounted Training Programs 

Wine Institute is working with associate members who are certified by ABC to conduct online and in-person RBS training courses at discounted rates. Here is a list of Wine Institute associate member providers, rates and training options: 

Jerry R. Jolly and Associates LLC – Click here for Wine Institute member packet

• Online for Wine Institute Members – $10/person with discount code “CAWINES” 
• Live Virtual Trainings – Contact for rates 
• Live In-Person Trainings – Contact for rates 
• Website – certifiedalcoholtraining.com 
• Email – jjolly@certifiedalcoholtraining.com  

Central Coast RBS 

• Live In-Person and Virtual Trainings – Wine Institute Members receive 20% off Live Virtual Courses
• Website – www.centralcoastrbs.com 
• Email – centralcoastrbs@gmail.com  

San Francisco Wine School

• Public Live Hybrid Trainings (in-person or online) – $45/person with group discounts available
• Private Live Trainings (our location, your location or online) – contact for pricing
• Website – https://sanfranciscowineschool.com/rbs
• Email – help@sfwineschool.com

Who needs to be trained and certified? – Alcohol Servers and Managers
An alcohol server, as defined under AB 1221, includes anyone who does any of the following: 

• Checks customer identification for purposes of alcoholic beverage service or entry to an ABC on-premises licensed establishment.
• Takes customer alcoholic beverage orders.
• Pours alcoholic beverages for customers. 
• Delivers alcoholic beverages to customers. 

A manager means any person who: 

• Trains, directly hires, or oversees alcohol servers at an ABC licensed premises.
• Any person who trains alcohol servers how to perform the service of alcohol for consumption for an ABC on-premises licensee, including but not limited to, when to check identification or when to refuse service to a patron. 

The manager definition specifically excludes an employee or contractor of another separate ABC licensee who is training alcohol servers for marketing or distribution purposes. 

What are the basic requirements? – Registration, Training and Online Exam 

All alcohol servers and managers will need to do the following: 

• Register with the ABC.  
• Take an ABC approved RBS training course.
• Pass an online exam administered by ABC.  

Once an individual has successfully completed the training and exam, the certification will remain valid for three years. The alcohol server certification must be renewed prior to its expiration to remain valid.  

Resources

Information on registration, training, and the online exam can be found on the ABC RBS portal page.   

For more information on the RBS program, including who needs to be trained, visit the ABC FAQ web page.