How to Get a Bartending License in California

To get a bartending license in California, you need to complete a series of steps including participating in the Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) program, completing the Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training Program, and applying for a new license with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. These programs are designed to educate servers and their managers on the dangers of serving alcohol to minors and over-serving patrons, as well as providing practical information on selling alcoholic beverages safely, responsibly, and legally.

1. Participate in the LEAD Program

• Purpose: The LEAD program is a free, voluntary prevention and education program for retail licensees, their employees, and applicants. It provides practical information on selling alcoholic beverages safely, responsibly, and legally.
• Estimated Cost: Free.
• Instructions: You can participate in the LEAD program either online or in-person. To obtain a LEAD Certificate, you must either complete the Online LEAD Course or attend an in-person LEAD Training and pass the exam. The certificate for the online course is made available immediately following the completion of the course. The certificate for an in-person class is provided via email approximately 1 to 3 business days following the class.

2. Complete the RBS Training Program

• Purpose: The RBS Training Program is designed to educate servers and their managers on the dangers of serving alcohol to minors and over-serving patrons.
• Estimated Cost: $5.95 for the online course, plus $3.00 for the final exam.
• Instructions: To get your bartending license, you need to register in the RBS Portal, complete your training from an authorized RBS Training Provider, and pass the ABC Alcohol Server Certification Exam within 30 days of your confirmed training. You can complete the Responsible Serving® of Alcohol Course for California, which is approved by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and meets the requirements of the Responsible Beverage Server Training Act, AB 1221, on the Professional Server Certification Corporation’s website.

3. Apply for a New License with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

• Purpose: To legally serve alcohol in California, you need to obtain a bartending license from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
• Instructions: You can apply for a new license at the nearest district office of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. All parties involved should be present. The average time to process an application is about 75 to 90 days. All licenses are renewed on a 12-month basis. Renewals must be paid on or before the last day of the month posted on the license. For additional information, you can contact your local ABC District Office. You can find your District Office by County or select a District Office from the list provided on their website.

FAQs

• Do I need to bring anything to the in-person LEAD training? Yes, you need to bring your confirmation number or copy of confirmation email, a pen or pencil, and a notepad.
• How long is the LEAD program? The online LEAD program lasts approximately 3 hours, while the in-person LEAD program lasts for 4 hours.
• How long is the RBS certification valid for? The RBS server certifications are valid for three years. Servers must be recertified prior to their expiration date to remain valid.
• How long does it take to process a new license application? The average time to process an application is about 75 to 90 days.

Useful Information Source Links

• Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) Program
• In-person LEAD Training
• Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training Program
• Apply for a New License with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
• Responsible Serving® of Alcohol Course for California

Learn more about Local Food Business Trends and Insights

• Food Delivery Trends And Restaurant Insights