Why Choose StateFoodSafety?

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Government Approved everywhere we sell

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Approved in more areas than any other provider

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Start and stop the course as needed and work on different devices

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Choose from multiple languages in your account after purchase

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More than 95% of people pass!

About Alcohol Seller-Server Training

Prepare to serve alcohol responsibly with 100% online alcohol seller-server training from StateFoodSafety. You can train from any device and get certified to sell or serve alcohol in your area. Learn important lessons like the effects of alcohol on the human body, how to check ID, important tips for recognizing minors, how to refuse alcohol service to intoxicated patrons and more.

Many states and counties require employees at on-premises or off-premises alcohol establishments to take alcohol seller-server training. Alcohol sellers and servers typically include bartenders, servers, waiters, bouncers and employees of convenience stores, liquor stores and grocery stores. Alcohol seller-server training helps employees comply with local alcohol laws and protect both themselves and their businesses from liability.

StateFoodSafety’s alcohol certification courses prepare you to enter the workforce or refresh your knowledge with easy-to-understand training videos and interactive activities that you can start and stop at any time. Train at your convenience from anywhere and download your certificate of completion as soon as you finish the course.

Alcohol Seller-Server Training FAQs

What is alcohol seller-server training?

Alcohol service is closely regulated by federal, state and local agencies. Alcohol seller-server training prepares you to abide by laws and requirements governing the sale of alcohol by teaching the legal responsibilities of alcohol servers in your area.

Alcohol seller-server training also teaches best practices for alcohol service for on-premises and off-premises alcohol sales. Lessons in StateFoodSafety’s alcohol seller-server training teach you everything you need to know to responsibly serve alcohol in your area.

Do I need an alcohol certification?

Some state and local laws require alcohol servers and sellers to hold an alcohol training certification. The jobs that require a certificate and specific course requirements vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Check with your employer or local government to see if your area requires an alcohol certification for your job.

Even in areas that don’t legally require an alcohol certificate, it is a good idea to take alcohol seller-server training if you work with alcohol.

Will my state, county or employer accept StateFoodSafety’s alcohol certification training course?

StateFoodSafety works closely with alcoholic beverage control boards and other government agencies. Our alcohol certification training courses satisfy state, local and employer training requirements in many jurisdictions across the United States. Select your state from the dropdown menu near the top of this page to see if we offer an approved course in your area.

We also offer alcohol training in states where seller-server certification isn’t mandated. Many employers require their workers to take alcohol service training even if it isn’t required by law.

How old do I have to be to serve alcohol?

That depends on your state. While the Uniform Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 established 21 as the minimum drinking age in the United States, each state can decide the age at which employees may serve alcohol to patrons.

Minimum alcohol server ages vary, from as young as 17 in Maine (when supervised) to as old as 21 in Alaska, Nevada and Utah. Check with your employer or state government to learn the minimum alcohol server age in your area.

Additionally, some states set a separate minimum age for bartenders. For instance, while Virginians can serve beer, wine and spirits at age 18, they aren’t legally allowed to tend bar until age 21. Again, check with your employer and local government agencies.

What is the difference between on-premises and off-premises alcohol service training?

The difference between off-premises and on-premises service is where the customer will consume the alcohol. Some of our training courses are designed for on-premises sales, off-premises sales or both — depending on local laws and regulations.

On-premises establishments include restaurants, bars, nightclubs and other venues in which patrons will consume alcoholic beverages on-site. Training courses for employees who serve alcohol for on-site consumption are commonly known as on-premise training or alcohol server training.

Off-premises establishments include convenience stores, liquor stores, grocery stores or other locations where customers purchase alcohol that cannot be legally consumed on-site. Training programs for these establishments are often called off-premise training or alcohol seller training.

What do I get when I finish alcohol seller-server training?

When you complete all lesson material and pass the test, you will receive a StateFoodSafety Alcohol Certificate. You can download and print your certificate immediately after you pass the course.

Are there additional steps to earning my alcohol certification?

Some states and counties have specific instructions or additional steps for alcohol servers and sellers. You may need to register your certification with the state, take an additional exam or comply with other legal requirements.

In areas in which we sell locally approved courses, we make note of any steps you need to take to finish the certification process.

How do I renew my StateFoodSafety Alcohol Certification?

If your certification has expired, you will need to purchase and retake the alcohol seller-server training course for your area. If you need to reprint your current certificate, log in and go to the Certificates section. From there, you can click View and print your certificate.

How long can I access the course?

When you purchase a StateFoodSafety course, you automatically get one year of unlimited access to the training videos. Take your time through the course or come back after completion to brush up on your food safety knowledge!

Where can I find additional alcohol seller-server resources?

StateFoodSafety offers a library full of helpful food safety and alcohol service resources. You can access the full library of resources in our Food Safety Resource Gallery. Some of our alcohol training resources are listed below.

Alcohol Training Resources

Certificate Reprint

In most areas, you can reprint your required Alcohol Server Certificate by logging in to your account.

  1. Login.
  2. Find the Certificates window on your dashboard.
  3. Locate the digital version of your certificate and click View Certificate.
  4. Select Print or Email.

Login To Reprint

View Certificate

Note: In some areas, you get your official Alcohol Server Certificate from the local health department. If you have lost the card you received from your state, county, or local health department, you will need to call that health department to obtain a new card, permit, or certificate.

Example certificate

Group Purchase

Are you looking for an easy way to manage training for multiple employees? Try our group purchase system!

Easily Manage Training

When you make a group purchase, we automatically add administrative tools to your account to help you manage your training vouchers. You'll be able to email voucher codes to employees, track their progress through the course, and view earned certificates.

Qualify for Discounts

Buy training in bulk and get up to 10% off. Discounts are available for all course types, from food handlers card training to food manager certification.

Start Group Purchase

Group Purchases

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