As more and more states now require proper training and certification in order to sell or serve alcohol, we’re seeing a pattern with the emergence of some training programs that are not state-approved. As each state’s requirements for certification differ, you might find yourself unsure as to which one is the right one for you and your chosen career path. Here are a few tips on how to verify your alcohol server training program is state approved.
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Check with the State Online
The easiest and most direct way to verify that a chosen alcohol server training program is state approved is to check your state’s alcohol beverage control website. Most states have what is called an Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) board or commission that approves and regulates alcohol server training. For example, Californians would visit here. Once on the site, you might also look for sections titled "Responsible Beverage Service” or “Alcohol Certification.” Here is where you should find a list of all state-approved training providers.
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Contact State Regulatory Authorities Directly (Offline)
If you are unable to find any clear information online then simply reach out to your state’s alcohol regulatory authority directly. Most agencies provide several points of contact including phone numbers and email addresses. When you are able to speak directly to a representative, they will then be able verify if your alcohol server training is state approved. Be ready with the name of the training provider, the course title and any other pertinent details.
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Ask Your Employer or Coworkers
Employers and workers in the hospitality industry will know if your chosen alcohol server training program is approved by the state. After all, as managers, servers and sellers of alcohol, they have each gone through the server training process already. It’s more than likely that each will be ready with a recommendation for the program of their own choice. Word-of-mouth authentication is often your best option; leverage your network.
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Check Your Digital or Physical Certification
It’s best to vet whether your prospective training program is state approved before getting your certification, but if you’ve already completed a course and want to verify authenticity, your physical certification should be all you need. Take a closer look at your certification and review for a few state-approval indicators. This might include a state seal, course approval number or official signature. This is where you can cross-reference the provider’s information with the state’s list of approved courses.
If you are new to the hospitality industry and are looking for a well-reputed, state-approved alcohol server training program then you are exactly where you need to be. Why choose ACA? Hospitality servers love us because our programs are easy to access and remarkably affordable. In most cases, you can complete your state approved alcohol server training in as little as two hours. Enroll today to see how easy it can be.
