How to Get a Bartending License in Wisconsin

To obtain a bartending license in the state of Wisconsin, you must meet certain qualifications and complete a Responsible Beverage Server training course from an approved provider. The license, also known as an operator's license, allows you to sell and serve alcoholic beverages. The process may vary slightly depending on the municipality where you intend to serve alcohol beverages.

1. Meet the Basic Qualifications

• Purpose: To ensure that you are eligible to apply for a bartending license in Wisconsin.
• Instructions: You must be at least 18 years old at the time the license is issued. You do not need to be a Wisconsin resident to apply. You must not have been convicted of a felony or be a habitual law offender, as per Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law.

2. Complete a Responsible Beverage Server Training Course

• Purpose: To educate you on responsible alcohol service practices.
• Estimated Cost: Varies depending on the provider. For example, the online course offered by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association costs $30.00, but WRA members can save 10% on this fee.
• Instructions: You can take a Responsible Beverage Server training course from one of the approved providers. There are both classroom and online instruction providers. For example, you can enroll in an online course offered by 360training.com. This is a 4-hour interactive online course that you can take anytime and anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. Upon completion of the training and passing the exam, you will receive a certification that is valid for 3 years.

3. Apply for an Operator's License

• Purpose: To legally sell and serve alcoholic beverages in Wisconsin.
• Estimated Cost: Varies depending on the municipality. For example, in the City of Waukesha, the license fee is $82.00, which includes the record check fee.
• Instructions: The application for an operator's license must be made in writing to the municipality where you intend to serve alcohol beverages. You must also pay any fee established by the municipality for the operator's license, if applicable. The operator's license is valid only in the municipality where it was issued, but it can be used at any premises within that municipality. There is no county or statewide operator's license. However, an operator's license from any municipality may be used on a permitted vessel (boat). The license may be issued for one or two years, as determined by the governing body of the issuing municipality.

FAQs

• Do I need to be a Wisconsin resident to apply for a bartending license? No, you do not need to be a Wisconsin resident to apply.
• How long is the Responsible Beverage Server training course? The online course offered by 360training.com is a 4-hour interactive course.
• How long is the certification from the Responsible Beverage Server training course valid for? The certification is valid for 3 years.
• How long is the operator's license valid for? The operator's license may be issued for one or two years, as determined by the governing body of the issuing municipality.
• Can I use my operator's license in a different municipality? No, the operator's license is valid only in the municipality where it was issued. However, it can be used on a permitted vessel (boat).

Useful Information Source Links

• Wisconsin Department of Revenue
• 360training.com
• Wisconsin Restaurant Association

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