Who Is Required to Have a California Responsible Beverage Service Certification?

Who is required to have a California responsible beverage service certification? This is an important question to ask if you are an employee working with alcohol. A California alcohol beverage compliance attorney could be a useful resource to use. An attorney can help review your situation and provide the necessary legal advice you need.

Who Needs to Be Certified

An RBS certification is an important first step that must be taken in order to legally serve, provide, and carry alcoholic beverages in the state of California. The following individuals are required to complete an RBS training program prior to beginning work.

• Alcohol servers. An alcohol server can be anyone who is responsible for checking identification, taking orders, and pouring or delivering alcoholic beverages to customers.
• Alcohol server managers. Establishments need server managers to ensure efficiency. These are individuals who hire, train, or supervise alcohol servers within the establishment. They are responsible for ensuring all alcohol servers have their RBS certification and that they are in good standing. This could be bar managers in restaurants or pubs.
• Owners. Any owner of an Alcoholic Beverage Control licensed establishment should always have an RBS certification.
• One-time events. Any company, business, or non-profit organization that wishes to serve alcoholic beverages at an event must have one individual who has an RBS certification. This person must be on-site and present for the entire event. They should be responsible for overseeing alcohol distribution and service.

Certification Process

The process for obtaining an RBS certification is fairly simple. Start by finding an RBS training program and purchase the online course. Then, register with California Beverage Control. You must do this to receive your identification number.

Complete the training course and provide your number. Once completed, you are eligible to take the state exam. The training program will submit your number to Alcoholic Beverage Control, and once you pass the exam, you will receive your certification.

Penalties for Lack of Certification

The rule for an RBS certification is relatively new. Some establishments may lack their certifications. The potential consequences of not having proper certifications can be damaging. Businesses could face suspensions and fines. The level of punishment typically depends on:

• The number of employees that still need to complete their RBS training program.
• The length of time they have been working without the certification.
• Any previous alcohol beverage control violations committed by the establishment.

Continuous violations could lead to permanent suspensions of alcoholic services and a revocation of license. Losing the ability to serve alcoholic beverages can be crippling to many establishments.

Alcohol-Related Harm

The RBS certification educates people on the dangers of overserving alcohol to customers. Over-consuming alcohol could cause harm in the following ways.

• Driving under the influence. This is a serious offense and can be life-threatening. It is important for servers to keep a watchful eye on customers to monitor their consumption.
• Physical harm. Over-intoxication could lead to physical altercations between customers, which is harmful to everyone.
• Internal harm. Internal injuries such as heart disease, digestive problems, high blood pressure, and liver failure are all potential concerns.

FAQs

Q: What Is an RBS Certification?

A: The RBS certification certifies that you have an understanding of California’s alcohol laws and regulations. It is a training program that teaches you how to properly mitigate alcohol-related harm that could arise. It is enforced by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and shows that you know how to responsibly serve alcoholic beverages and when to spot concerns. In basic terms, the certification means you know how to serve alcohol and when to not serve alcohol in California.

Q: Does the RBS Certification Have to Be Renewed?

A: Yes, the RBS certification has to be renewed. It is valid for three years. When you need to renew your certification, you are required to take an approved course from your authorized training provider, pay the recertification fee, and retake and pass the final exam with a passing score of 70% or higher. The exam must be taken within 30 days of your training. You can log into your RBS server account and pay the renewal fee. Once the fee is paid, you may search for a training provider.

Q: What Is the Difference Between RBS and LEAD?

A: The difference between RBS and LEAD is that RBS is a mandatory program that educates employees who work as alcohol servers at licensed locations such as bars, restaurants, stadiums, hotels, and clubs. License Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) is a free voluntary education and prevention program offered to employees of off-sale locations such as gas stations, convenience stores, and liquor stores.

Although some local institutions have started to require employees to attend a LEAD course, it does not fulfill the requirements under AB 1221.

Q: What Is the Legal Definition of an Alcohol Server?

A: Under California AB 1221, the legal definition of an alcohol server is an individual who checks customer IDs for the purpose of alcoholic beverage service or to allow individuals entry into the premises. A server takes alcoholic beverage orders and is also responsible for pouring alcoholic beverages for consumers or delivering alcoholic beverages. This could include permittees, licensees, managers, or other employees with a license to sell alcohol.

If you are an employee who works with alcoholic beverages in any capacity, you may be considered an alcohol server and should check with your employer.

Q: What Is Alcohol-Related Harm?

A: Alcohol-related harm could be any harmful action that arises due to the influence of alcohol. This could be harm done to a person, community, or property. For example, if a person goes to a bar and becomes intoxicated, and then attempts to drive home, it is a huge risk. If that person crashes into another vehicle, it would be considered alcohol-related harm. Other examples include physical altercations and internal harm such as liver damage, high blood pressure, depression, or anxiety.

Legal Support

At Blake & Ayaz our legal team has over 60 years of combined legal experience. We have seen many cases and helped countless individuals in California. We are committed to serving you and we can provide you with quality legal counsel to ensure you are in compliance with state regulations. Contact our team today to see how we can help.