California ABC RBS Certification FAQs

Before starting RBS training, register as a Server in the California ABC RBS Portal and pay the $3.00 registration fee. After completing your registration, your nine-digit RBS Server ID number will appear in the “Server Certificate Details” section of your RBS Server dashboard. Be sure to enter your Server ID and last name exactly as they appear in the ABC RBS Portal when registering for training.

To become RBS certified, you must register with the California ABC RBS Portal, complete training with an ABC-approved RBS Training Provider, and pass the California ABC Alcohol Server Certification Exam. You must pass the ABC exam within 30 days after your training is confirmed. Newly hired alcohol servers and managers must complete RBS certification within 60 days of their first date of employment. California RBS Certification is valid for 3 years.

You must pass the California ABC Alcohol Server Certification Exam within 30 days of your confirmed RBS training. You have three attempts to pass the exam with a score of 70% or better. If you do not pass within 30 days, you must complete RBS training again and pay the ABC exam fee again.

California alcohol servers and managers must complete RBS certification within 60 days of their first date of employment. This includes registering in the California ABC RBS Portal, completing training with an approved RBS Training Provider, and passing the ABC Alcohol Server Certification Exam.

California ABC does not issue a physical or downloadable RBS certificate. After you complete your approved RBS training and pass the ABC Alcohol Server Certification Exam, your status on your RBS Server dashboard will change to Certified. You can print the Server Certificate Details page for an unofficial copy of your status. Employers verify your official RBS certification using your Server ID through the California ABC RBS Portal.

After you complete your RBS training, your approved training provider must confirm your course completion with California ABC. Training providers have up to 24 hours to report your completed training. Once ABC receives the confirmation, the Take Exam button will become available on your RBS Server dashboard. If your exam is not available after 24 hours, contact your training provider.

The legal drinking age in California is 21. It is illegal to sell or furnish alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21 years of age.

Generally, employees must be at least 21 years old to pour alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. However, employees who are 18 to 20 years old may pour alcoholic beverages in a bona fide public eating place when serving alcohol is incidental to their primary duty of serving meals.

Generally, employees must be at least 21 years old to prepare or serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises in California. However, employees who are 18 to 20 years old may serve alcoholic beverages in a bona fide public eating place when the service occurs in an area primarily designed for food service and serving alcohol is incidental to their primary duty of serving meals. Under California Business and Professions Code Section 25663, this permitted service includes delivering, presenting, opening, or pouring an alcoholic beverage.

California generally limits civil liability for businesses that furnish alcoholic beverages. However, a licensed seller may be held civilly liable for injuries or death when alcohol is sold or furnished to an obviously intoxicated person under 21 and that alcohol is a proximate cause of the injury or death. California law also prohibits selling or furnishing alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person.

California ABC recommends checking identification whenever there is doubt about a customer's age. You have the right to refuse the sale or service of alcohol to anyone who cannot provide adequate evidence that they are at least 21 years old. Businesses may also establish stricter house policies, such as requiring identification from everyone or from anyone who appears younger than a specified age.

Acceptable identification may include a valid California or out-of-state driver's license or state-issued identification card, a valid U.S. or foreign passport, or a valid U.S. military identification card that includes a date of birth and photograph. Identification should be current and must reasonably match the person presenting it.

Yes. California Business and Professions Code Section 25660 may provide a legal defense when a licensee or employee demands, is shown, and reasonably relies upon bona fide evidence of a customer's age and identity. The identification should be carefully inspected, appear valid, and reasonably match the person presenting it. If there is any doubt about the identification or the customer's age, the sale or service of alcohol should be refused.