Who Needs RBS Certification?

Both the hospitality and service industries involve environments where alcohol is served. This means compliance with California alcohol beverage control laws is critical to their success. Responsible beverage service (RBS) certification is mandatory to ensure compliance for those serving alcohol, but exactly who needs RBS certification?

It’s crucial to understand the details of RBS certification, why it matters, who needs it, and how to obtain it when you’re ready to take the next step in reaching your business goals.

What Is RBS Certification, and Why Is It Important?

RBS comprises a training program that educates alcohol servers and their managers about state law. It also covers the practices related to the sale and service of alcoholic beverages. The certification is often mandated by law in many regions, California included, but especially in areas with a high concentration of alcohol-serving establishments.

The purpose of the California alcohol beverage control certification is to reduce alcohol-related harm within communities and ensure that servers are equipped to handle service responsibly. The training includes information regarding:

• How to check IDs and recognize fake ones
• Laws and regulations on alcohol sales
• Watching patrons for signs of intoxication
• Techniques to use when refusing service that are both tactful and legal
• The effects of alcohol on the body
• Liability and consequences of over-serving or selling to minors

Who Needs RBS Certification?

Most people involved in the serving of alcoholic beverages need RBS certification. Some of these individuals include:

• Bartenders. If you’re behind the bar creating and pouring drinks, you need RBS certification. This position generally means you interact directly with patrons, assess intoxication levels, and determine whether customers are underage. You may be the last line of defense before a patron becomes over-served. In a March 2025 operation, the ABC found 162 citations related to underage drinking and five citations involving driving under the influence.
• Servers and waitstaff. You may not be the one pouring the drinks, but you take the orders and hand them to the customer. This applies to servers in many areas, such as restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, casinos, or hotel bars.
• Managers and supervisors. Individuals in managerial roles who oversee or train staff involved in the service of alcohol must be certified. This includes anyone who schedules the alcohol-serving staff, trains staff for these positions, or educates them on alcohol policies, and handles compliance with legal matters related to alcohol.
• Event staff and caterers. Private events, weddings, and corporate functions often serve alcohol. If you’re working in this capacity by either pouring or passing out drinks, certification is a must. Venues often require it for liability reasons.
• Tasting room wait staff at wineries, breweries, distilleries, etc. California, like many wine-producing states, requires employees to be certified.
• Security staff. The staff who check IDs, monitor patrons, or intervene during alcohol-related situations must be RBS trained and certified.

Not everyone in hospitality environments needs to be RBS certified, however. Some employees who may not require this certification include:

• Bussers/dishwashers
• Kitchen staff
• Hosts/hostesses
• Valet staff

The Certification Process

The RBS certification process is straightforward. In California, you must first register with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), located at 2 MacArthur Place in Santa Ana, and get a server ID number. Currently, this department has 56,000 ABC actively licensed businesses.

Next, you will complete the RBS training program, which may be taken online. Training covers state alcohol laws, ID-checking techniques, intervention strategies, and the effects of alcohol. It also explores state alcohol laws.

Once you’ve completed training, you need to pass the exam with at least a 70% score. The passing score leads to certification.

Benefits of RBS Certification Even When Not Required

Even when RBS certification isn’t necessary, it offers many benefits. These include:

• Liability protection. Being trained in identifying fake IDs, knowing the signs of intoxication, and de-escalating scary situations can protect you from legal trouble down the line.
• Customer safety. The goal of RBS training is to reduce harm, which employers should want for their staff and patrons.
• Employability. Having an active RBS certification can make you more employable. It demonstrates your commitment to safety and legal compliance. This can also be a great tool if you’re looking to gain a promotion in your company.

FAQs

Q: Who Must Be RBS Certified?

A: In California, anyone who serves alcohol or manages those who do, such as bartenders, supervisors, and servers, must be Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) certified. This includes individuals working in establishments that sell alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption. Certification ensures servers know all the laws associated with serving alcohol safely. The requirement helps reduce alcohol-related incidents and improves public safety.

Q: Do Security Personnel Need to Be RBS Certified?

A: In many cases, security personnel at licensed alcohol-serving restaurants or bars must be RBS certified, especially if they interact with patrons concerning alcohol service. Bouncers or doormen check IDs, remove intoxicated patrons, and monitor alcohol-related behavior for reporting. Being RBS certified lets security staff understand how to identify intoxication and handle conflicts legally and responsibly.

Q: Does a Manager Need RBS Certification?

A: Managers of establishments that serve alcohol must also complete RBS certification. Even if they’re not serving alcohol directly, managers oversee employees who do, and they are responsible for ensuring compliance with alcohol laws and policies. RBS certification provides them with essential knowledge about preventing over-service, verifying IDs, handling intoxicated customers, and promoting safe consumption.

Q: Why Do Bouncers Need to Be RBS Certified?

A: Bouncers play a key role in maintaining safety and legal compliance in alcohol-serving establishments, which is why RBS certification is important. They often check IDs, observe patron behaviors, and remove disruptive individuals. RBS helps bouncers recognize fake IDs and effectively de-escalate dangerous situations. Having the bouncers certified is another way for businesses to protect themselves under California law.

Contact an Alcohol Beverage Compliance Attorney Today

Almost everyone involved in serving alcohol requires RBS certification in California. The experienced beverage compliance attorneys at Blake & Ayaz can help you better understand the details and remain compliant with your RBS certification. We can also help ensure your staff meets state-mandated requirements, protecting your business from violations and fines.

Don’t wait for a compliance issue before seeking legal help. Contact our office today to get your business on track with state alcohol regulations.