
After Getting Your Bartender License Once you have your license, you can work anywhere in the state you are licensed. And as mentioned earlier, since bartending is a growing business, you will have no trouble finding a job if you meet all the prerequisites.
Do you have to be certified to be a bartender?
There is no license required to be a bartender. There has been legislation introduced throughout the years but it keeps getting shut down. This does not mean that you don’t need some sort of certificate or permit showing that you attended some kind of alcohol awareness training in some States.
What do you need to know to become a bartender?
What skills do you need to be a bartender?
- Positive attitude. A bartender needs to be positive, friendly, and approachable. ...
- Multitasking. Good bartenders work well under pressure. ...
- Teamwork. Bars, clubs, restaurants, and other venues usually rely on a team of people to run smoothly. ...
- Time management. ...
- Communication skills. ...
What documents do you need to become a bartender?
- It makes you look extremely confident and secure in your abilities, which is valuable in landing a job.
- It also shows that you care about the kind of place you work at and won’t take just any old job.
- The manager or bar owner gets to see how well you will fit in there without having to shell out any money.
Do you need to go to school to be a bartender?
Bartenders do not need to earn a specific degree, as no formal education is required for this career. However, some Bartenders choose to earn Associate’s Degrees or Bachelor’s Degrees to increase their career prospects. Common fields of study include Mixology, Hospitality, and Business Administration.
Do you need a license to bartend in California?
According to CA Assembly Bill 1221, bartenders, servers, and managers will be required to have valid Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training from an ABC accredited license provider and pass an exam within 60 days from their hire date. Once you have passed the exam, the license is good for 3 (three) years.
Do you need a license to be a bartender in the US?
No, you do not need a license to become a bartender. Some local laws require permits or certificates, but there is no formal, nationally recognized and required certification to bartend. Local alcohol laws and what's required to tend bar in one city or state are not the same everywhere.
Do bartenders make more money than servers?
Comparing the Salaries of Bartenders and Servers. What is this? According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2021 data showed that servers earned a mean hourly wage of $13.95 and a mean annual wage of $29,010 while bartenders earned a mean hourly wage of $14.59 and a mean annual wage of $30,340.
Do you need a bartending license in Texas?
In Texas there aren't any state regulations in place that require a server or bartender to be licensed in order to sell alcohol. It is important to keep in mind though that some employers will require bartenders to complete such courses regardless of state or city laws.
What is a bottle girl?
When you think about bottle service girls at night clubs, most people think of beautiful girls dressed in risqué clothing and full makeup, since getting bottle service is supposed to be a luxurious experience. What people might not realize is what these girls go through to get by.
What are the requirements to be a bartender?
No formal educational credentialBartender / Entry level education
Can bartenders make 100k?
Most bartenders take home between $45,000 and $73,000, including tips, according to Rob Doherty, author of “Highball: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Professional Bartender.” “It's possible for a bartender to find just the right situation to rake in the much sought after $100,000,” he writes.
Do attractive servers make more money?
A new study published in the Journal of Economic Psychology found waitresses whose customers deemed them as attractive tended to tip more. A lot more. Over the course of a year, servers who diners considered more "strikingly beautiful" could expect to earn roughly $1,261 more in tips than a homelier server.
What does a bartender get tipped out?
Answer: As with many issues in the restaurant industry, there is no standard practice. The range for many restaurateurs and employees I spoke with tends to be 5-10 percent of alcohol sales or one or two percent of total sales as a tip out so you're close to the middle.
Can a bartender drink on the job in Texas?
As commonplace as it may be, bartenders cannot drink on the job and this is against Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code policy. The TABC even has a suggested form for all bar employees to sign, stating explicitly that they won't drink on the job at all.
How much do bartenders make in Texas per hour?
The average salary for a bartender is $15.62 per hour in Texas and $150 tips per day. 3.5k salaries reported, updated at June 14, 2022.
Is Texas bartending license legit?
The Texas Responsible Serving® (Texas Bartending) certification course from Professional Server Certification Corporation (PSCC) has been APPROVED by the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission (TABC) for training servers and bartenders in Responsible Serving®.
How often do you need to renew your barkeep permit in Texas?
The law now requires people to renew their permit every five years; as with Texas, the OLCC has a certified list of reliable ‘providers’ (including community colleges and private companies) on their web pages that budding barkeeps can contact for further information.
Is there a training requirement for woodworking in California?
California. No compulsory training is required at state level in Cali, but some counties and cities may require some kind of mandatory input before you can work behind the wood (check with the relevant county or city governmental department).
Is there a training requirement for bartenders in Texas?
Texas. Heading back down south to the Lone Star State, you will find there is no mandatory training required to work the bars and clubs, but TABC (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission) certification can often seal the deal if you have received it prior to going for an interview.
Is bartending regulated?
Just as with every job or career nowadays, bartending is slowly becoming more regulated – employers, often due to worries over insurance, are increasingly likely to require some kind of mandatory bartending school training or state-provided permit from you even before you set foot behind their bar.
Can you work in New Mexico without a server license?
New Mexico has a mandatory certification program – without their Server Permit you are not going to work anywhere in the state. Their Regulation and Licensing Department advises ‘Everyone who sells or serves alcohol in the state of New Mexico is required to obtain a permit by taking a New Mexico approved Alcohol Server Education class.’ TIPS is not recognised in the Land of Enchantment; you must have the state-approved certification, which is offered as a training package by the Alcohol and Gaming Division at their Santa Fe HQ, or by official partners in the private sector (full details are on the New Mexico state website).
Do you need a bartender license to work the stick?
The truth is, there is no nationally-recognised bartender license in the U.S. It does not exist.
Is there mandatory alcohol training in Wyoming?
Wyoming. No state-wide compulsory training for Wyoming, but the cities of Cheyenne, Torrington and Douglas have gone their own way and people seeking to work with alcohol in these three areas have to undergo mandatory classes in order to become certified.
Obtaining your bartending license
In the U.S, for some states having a bartender’s license is a must, but you don’t have to go to a formal school to acquire one. There are many high-rated online schools, where you can study and pass the required training. Thus, you obtain the state bartending license:
Generally, you can obtain your license even in a day
Bartending license classes typically demand 40 hours of study time and take two to three weeks to finish. However, meeting the very minimal requirements to work as a bartender is frequently as simple as attending a legally needed alcohol awareness course. It varies from state to state, and you can even obtain your license in a day.
Bartending License vs Bartending Certificate
In numerous aspects, bartending licenses and bartending certification differ, including the quantity of study necessary for each. Depending on the state you apply for licensing in, a bartending license may simply enable you to sell beer and wine. The state license that allows bartenders to offer alcoholic drinks is known as a bartender license.
How to obtain a bartending license?
Depending on your state’s regulations, you may usually acquire your bartender certification by following a few basic procedures. You simply must fulfill an hourly requirement in addition to mixology courses.
What states do require a bartending license?
Nearly half of all states in the United States require aspiring bartenders to get a state-issued bartending license. You will be eligible for a certificate if you are old enough to serve. Even though you don’t need a license in your state, it’s still a good idea to get one. It provides you an advantage over other bartenders.
What is a bartender license?
A bartending license is a state or municipal issued bartender certification required to sell alcohol in certain states. You need this to prove that you have gone through the state-approved courses and understand laws regarding the sale of alcohol and other related aspects.
What states have bartenders?
Here is a list of five states that offer the best opportunities for a bartender: 1 Nevada 2 South Carolina 3 New Jersey 4 Florida 5 California
How much does a bartender make in Las Vegas?
With a booming alcohol market, the average salary of a bartender in the city is around $29,130 with affordable housing, where you can rent a studio apartment for less than $1000.
What is the passing score for bartending?
Different states have different passing scores which you need to achieve to earn your certificate. In most states, the passing score is 70%. Once you have cleared your final exam, all you have to do is print the document and take it to your employer.
Do you have to know the laws to get a land license?
If you want your license, you have to know the laws of the land. Most states primarily have the same legal requirements with minor differences. However, there are some states that have significantly different codes.
Is bartending a full time job?
However, bartending has since grown into a full-time profession for thousands across the country. A recent study found that people are getting increasingly attracted to bartending; primarily due to its 2.5% job growth rate and a lucrative annual salary exceeding $24,000. Mixing drinks for a living sounds fun, and more individuals are earning their ...
What is a Bartending License?
A bartending license is a document certifying that you successfully completed the minimum amount of alcohol awareness training necessary to work as a bartender.
Bartending License vs. Bartending Certification
A bartending certificate is a document awarded by training providers to individuals who finish their bartending certification programs. They are not mandated by the state.
What are the Requirements for Getting a Bartending License?
Age is the most important factor for determining whether you’re admissible to a bartending license training program.
Where to Get a Bartending License
You can take a bartending license course via a certified provider either online or in-person. Because the topics covered in a basic alcohol awareness class are only the fundamentals, you can breeze through the whole course in less than 3 hours.
How to Get a Bartending License and Certification Online
Jumpstart your bartending career by earning your license from a reputable alcohol awareness training provider. As you research to learn how much is a bartending license, we offer an affordable online option to learn on your own time.
What You Will Learn
Welcome to the Ultimate Guide to Getting a Bartending License ! We’ve heard these same stories (give or take a few details) from our customers since starting this business in 2006. Before their first day, many new bartenders don’t know what is a bartender license, training, certificate, or test.
Why Do You Need a Bartending License?
You need to know and understand the business. The licensing process is more about educating you on selling or serving alcohol (more specifically when not to) than mixing drinks. (Check out our Master Bartender course for that).
Is Having a Bartender's License Mandatory?
We will always, always strongly recommend you have a bartender license.
Who Should Get Their Bartenders' License?
All staff who sell, serve and deliver alcohol should receive training. It's good for business, it helps mitigate risk, and insurance policy providers recommend alcohol seller-server training.
What Topics Are Discussed in Bartending License Training?
State certifications on the sale and service of beer, wine, and liquor are not designed to test or increase your proficiency in mixology. Instead, they focus on:
How Long Does It Take To Get a Bartending License?
You should expect to block at least four hours out of your day. While some states leave the training length up to the training provider. Other states require training to be at minimum 2-4 hours, for example:
How To Get A Bartending License?
You should get your license through a reputable provider. With over 35 years of experience teaching alcohol certification principles, our recommended Alcohol Certification Training course offers in-depth knowledge that is easy to follow and understand. Serving Alcohol Inc.
What is a Bartending License?
First, let’s go over the basics. A bartending license is a document that verifies one’s knowledge necessary to work in a bartending role. These licenses can be provided by accredited course programs from organizations that have been approved by your state if required.
What States Require a Bartending License?
While not all states require workers to obtain a bartending license, many do, with almost half of all states requiring a state bartending license to serve alcohol. Some examples of locations where bartending licenses/certifications are necessary would be Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, New Mexico, and Nevada.
How to Get a Bartending License
Let’s jump right in, shall we? Here we will explain the process that you will need to follow to figure out how to get your bartending license. Since the requirements depend on the state you will be bartending in, the following subsections will explain step by step how you can understand your obligations depending on where you live.
Bartending License FAQs
The cost of obtaining your bartending license can differ based on what the location you will be working in requires, the particular training program you choose, and the orientation you choose to take it (online or in-person).
Book Your Next Bartending Gig with Adia
If bartending is your chosen career path, then carrying out the necessary processes to earn a bartending license can be well worth it. Once you have earned your license, you will likely be looking for a job, and Adia can help. Adia is a convenient online hospitality staffing platform that matches workers to open positions.
How old do you have to be to get a server permit?
For starters, in order to receive the server permit you must be at least 18 years old. Also, The permit is valid for five (5) years from the date of issue. The issuance of a server permit is a two-step process.
How long do you have to be a TABC certified in Tennessee?
According to the state, new servers/bartenders have a 61 day grace period from the original date of hire to attend a TABC certified course. Follow this link to view state-approved programs.

Florida
- The Sunshine State has no legal requirement for you to become ‘properly trained’ or obtain a bartending school degree or any license. However, it might be advisable for prospective pint-pullers to undergo training on a ‘responsible vendor program’, and numerous bar schools offer this two to three-hour input. TIPS is also valid in the state. Bear in...
Washington
- While Florida asks for nothing, Washington has mandatory requirements if you are looking to work around alcohol in The Evergreen State. Their MAST (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training) Permitis a must-have. It consists of a package designed to ensure you are fully compliant with local laws and guidance covering the serving, mixture, sale, or supervision of the sale of alcohol for on-pre…
Texas
- Heading back down south to the Lone Star State, you will find there is no mandatory training required to work the bars and clubs, but T.A.B.C. (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission) certification can often seal the deal if you have received it before going for an interview. Numerous state-approved providers run the training – either in classrooms or online – that can …
Oregon
- Oregon became the first U.S. state to introduce mandatory training for any and all people working around or serving alcohol way back in 1985 via its O.L.C.C. (Oregon Liquor Control Commission) permit. This education program is not a ‘bartender license’ but proof that you have carried out the requisite training – was ushered in at the behest of the state’s restaurant association for owner…
New York
- No mandatory training is required to get behind the stick in the Big Apple or the wider state, but their A.T.A.P. (Alcohol Training and Awareness) program is strongly recommended. A.T.A.P. is essentially New York’s version of TIPS, with a few tweaks. Once again, certified outside ‘providers’ run the training classes and are listed on the New York State Liquor Authority’s Division of Alcoh…
Kentucky
- The Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control runs the STAR (Server Training in Alcohol Regulations) package, available either as classroom input ($35 per person) or online self-teaching ($36.27). The former lasts for four hours and is valid for three years, while online, it lasts three hours (the validity period is the same). STAR training is not compulsory; however, the authoritie…
Hawaii
- The sale and service of alcohol in Hawaii are managed at the county level and differ slightly from island to island, but they are a little more strict than in most other U.S. states. Mandatory training is required by all staff or managers who oversee staff and is usually renewed every four or five years. The Honolulu Liquor Commission, for example, offers Server-Training for managers, assis…
Arizona
- The southwestern state of Arizona has Title 4 Training, which is compulsory for all owners, agents and managers working with or around alcohol in either on- or off-premises licensed establishments. For these supervisors and owners, the training is two-tier. First, they must achieve a Basic Certificate of Completion in relation to the Grand Canyon State’s liquor laws, then a Man…
California
- No compulsory training is required at the state level in Cali. Still, some counties and cities may require some mandatory input before you can work behind the wood (check with the relevant county or city governmental department). The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control does run some training packages designed to educate and inform people working in the trade. Their LEA…
Alaska
- Alaska’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has deemed server training mandatory, and legislation demands all servers of alcoholic beverages, their managers/supervisors and even staff who provide door security at a licensed establishment must receive compulsory alcohol server training within thirty days of employment. Certification is renewable every three years. There are a numb…