woman in black tank top holding coca cola bottle

Heads up Sacramento locals! If you’re a bartender or restaurant employee who deals with alcohol service, you need to be aware of a new law that went into effect in July.

Responsible Beverage Service

Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) is a program that requires alcohol servers to get certified in order to help prevent over-service and underage drinking. This was signed into law in 2020 and made effective over the summer. Anyone who comes into contact with alcohol, including bartenders, restaurant managers and servers alike must complete RBS training to become state certified.

RBS Training Programs

The department of alcohol and beverage control (ABC) of California has partnered with a handful of providers of the training. The training involves a 4-hour course that can be taken online and is accompanied by an exam. Upon passing the exam, the employee is rewarded with an official RBS certificate.

Any qualified and approved training program includes the following:

  • How to spot fake IDs
  • How to properly check IDs
  • How to handle minors attempting to obtain alcohol
  • How to cut off customers who have had too much

Don’t Break the Law

Since Responsible Beverage Service is official California law, failing to complete RBS training and get a certificate could result in hefty fines. Both employees of a restaurant and the restaurant owner could be held accountable for failing to comply with RBS.

Additionally, the Sacramento Police Department will be conducting unannounced RBS compliance checks throughout the city, so it’s important for bartenders and restaurant employees to know the ins and outs of the law.

Where to Get Started

If you work in a bar or restaurant, your manager should have informed you of the RBS certificate requirements. It is your responsibility to take the training course and become certified. In addition to the fines you may face for failing to comply, you could also lose employment with your restaurant or bar.

Get started with your RBS training by signing up for an online course today. These courses are all online, so you can take the training when it’s convenient for you.

What Does RBS Training Cost?

Finally, you may be wondering how much the training program costs. The ABC has set the price for RBS training at $35. The cost of the program may be covered by your employer, so check with them to see if they will reimburse you for taking the course. Additionally, certain providers may offer steep discounts you can take advantage of.

Don’t wait to get started on your Responsible Beverage Service certification – sign up today!

By Rick Morris

Rick Morris is the sports-related editor for 916 Journal, covering topics for the Sacramento Kings and Sac Republic.

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