State Information
CALIFORNIA
Responsible Alcohol Training
Mandatory server permit training for servers, bartenders, and managers for on premise establishments
Approved AIM Programs
Responsible Beverage Service Training
State Agency
Age to consume
21
Age to pour
21
Age to Sell
The minimum age for serving alcoholic beverages is 21, except any person between 18 and 21 years of age employed in any bona fide public eating place, which is licensed for the on-sale of alcoholic beverages, may serve alcoholic beverages to consumers only if such service occurs in an area primarily designed and used for the sale and service of food for consumption on the premises, and the primary duties of the employee shall be the service of meals to guests, with the service of alcoholic beverages being incidental to such duties. All hotel/motel/etc. employees handling the alcoholic beverages to be placed in the controlled access alcoholic beverage cabinet in any guestroom, including, but not limited to, any employee who inventories or restocks and replenishes the alcoholic beverages in the controlled access alcoholic beverage cabinet, must be at least 21 years of age.
Age to Serve
21 (Note: If incidental to food service, an employee who is at least 18 year old may serve alcohol)
Notes on Selling or Serving
N/A
Dram Shop Liability Laws
No, except when alcohol is served, sold, or otherwise provided to an obviously intoxicateed minor. In such case, the server, seller, or provider may be held liable for damages.
Acceptable Forms of ID
Valid U.S. State Driver’s License Valid U.S. State or Federal Government issued Identification Valid U.S. Passport and/or Passport Card Valid Military ID issued by the U.S. Department of Defense Valid Foreign Passport In the event an Armed Forces identification card, Passport or Passport Card is provided as proof of identity and lacks a physical description, but does include date of birth and a photo, further proof of identity shall not be required. Green cards and International Driver's Licenses are NOT acceptable forms of ID. According to business and professions code 25660; the ABC recommends that licensees accept only “Bona Fide” identification which are currently valid, issued by a Government Agency, and contain the following criteria:
- Name of Person
- Photograph
- Physical Description
- Date of Birth
- Issued by a Governmental Agency
- Must be Valid (Not Expired)
Relying on identification using these 6 elements provides a legal defense to a violation of California Code Section 25658. For additional information see Sections 25668-25660 of the B&P Code.
Additional Information section
- All on-premise alcohol servers and managers must have a valid California RBS certification from California ABC accredited RBS training provider and pass an online California ABC administered RBS exam within 60 calendar days from the first date of employment.
- Before you complete your registration for this course, you must first obtain a Server ID# from the California RBS website. You will be asked to enter this ID# during your enrollment.
- Please make sure the following information entered is IDENTICAL to your California RBS registration: Name, email address, and Server ID#. If any item is not IDENTICAL, your completion information will be rejected by the state.
- Once your completion information is processed by California ABC, you will receive a notification that the California RBS certification exam is available and must be completed within 30 days.
