The RBS or Responsible Beverage Service Act was created in 2017 by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control or what is better known in the state beverage industry as the ABC. This act was established to protect the public interests from overserved patrons. It was also created to protect those particular patrons and even the venue itself. The idea is to make sure that patrons who drink do so responsibly and that if irresponsible public drinking rears its ugly head then those onsite sellers and servers are more able to contain the situation and provide for a responsible resolution.
Who is required to have RBS training? You can probably guess a position or two, but some of the roles requiring RBS training may surprise you. When it comes to serving and selling alcohol in the Golden State, RBS training is a mandatory program for those who seek employment or have employment as alcohol servers and sellers.
Bartenders and Servers
Topping the list, we have bartenders and servers. These roles require the direct production, sale and then serving of alcohol. Bartenders and servers are the front-line workers in the beverage industry and should be trained to know the signs of over-imbibing. These staff members should also be trained to protect the venue against underage drinkers and those who might try to present false identification. This training is critical at this level because these employees deal firsthand with those patrons who opt for alcoholic beverages.
Managers and Supervisors
The chain of command is important in any business. This means that the “buck” must stop somewhere. Managers and supervisors are a big part of what keeps the hospitality industry fluid and workable. Their umbrella of responsibility affects everyone on the property or venue location who either serves or is being served.
This is why managers and supervisors must complete RBS training. It’s a matter of making sure that when it comes to specific venues both the front and back of the house are able to communicate and react appropriately in case of an overserving incident. A true manager can only manage from a place of experience and RBS training helps a manager to fully understand what his or her staff might need when or if an overserving incident arises. More to the point, proper RBS training and leadership is designed to prevent overserving to begin with.
Alcohol Retail Employees
If you wish to work or currently work in retail stores that serve liquor, beer or wine then you, too, must undergo RBS training. While onsite consumption is clearly not an issue under these circumstances, workers must be certified so that they are more aware of how to protect their place of business from those who might be intoxicated while on the premises. Properly licensed grocery stores and liquor stores are generally included on this list.
What About Venue Owners?
While the law doesn’t specify the owners of bars or restaurants, it is highly recommended that these owners also consider RBS training and then acquire the certifications personally. If a civil suit is filed or a legal fine is issued as a result of overserving a patron, then it is more than likely that the owner will be cited in that suit or fine. It would certainly help an owner’s professional profile if he or she is properly certified by the state.
What About Volunteers Who Serve Alcohol?
If you are a volunteer server at a public event or private venue that serves alcohol you must also undergo RBS training and become certified. Again, this is for your protection every bit as much as it is for the protection of the venue, organization and those patrons in attendance. RBS training and certification are needed for those who voluntarily serve alcohol but onsite volunteers, in general, are not required to complete RBS training.
Are You a Bouncer or Do You Work Security?
Congratulations. You made the list if you work security at an establishment that sells or serves alcohol. Because your job is to keep the venue or event secure, this certification should be pursued even if it wasn’t required by law. RBS training helps those in the security business know how to perceive and contain situations that can quickly arise from overserving.
In fact, security is what many often refer to as the tip of the spear when it comes to organizing and executing a response to an unruly incident that might be rooted in overserving or serving minors. If a patron becomes too difficult to handle it is the job of nearby trained servers to notify both management and security. Security will then be able to properly assess and respond as or if needed. RBS training helps to reaffirm the responsibilities of those tasked with securing a troubling situation while also protecting other coworkers and servers as well as other onsite patrons.
Your RBS Training Certification is Just a Click Away
The aim of RBS training is to reduce alcohol-related harm by educating servers on the dangers of serving minors while also helping those in the industry to recognize when a patron has had too much to drink. RBS training is comprehensive and designed to protect you, your career and the lives of those you serve. Both recent and existing hires in the business of serving alcohol are required by law to complete this necessary training.
Here at ACA, we can help you acquire your RBS training certification quickly. You can access the training materials and acquire your certification remotely from your personal wi-fi enabled device. Sometimes it can be done in a single afternoon. Start your training today.
