If the City or County Where I Work Has Specific Requirements for Training for Alcohol Servers, Do I Still Need to be Certified?

Under California law, specifically AB 1221, RBS certification is a mandatory requirement for anyone involved in alcohol service at on-premises licensed establishments. However, many cities and counties in California have implemented additional local ordinances to further enhance alcohol service standards. This raises an important question for alcohol servers and business owners on whether or not RBS training is still required.

Local Ordinances and Additional Requirements

Many cities and counties in California have implemented local ordinances to enhance alcohol service standards that may include specific training requirements or stricter operational guidelines tailored to address community concerns. Some examples of additional requirements include:

• City-Specific Training: Some cities might require additional training programs or certifications to address local issues or enhance community safety.
• County Regulations: Counties may have specific and differing ordinances that impose stricter operational guidelines for alcohol-serving establishments to ensure compliance with local safety and zoning concerns.

Compliance with RBS Certification

Despite local ordinances, RBS certification remains mandatory. Local governments can introduce additional regulations to act as support for AB 1221, but they cannot override the state-defined standards in this law. The RBS training establishes minimum requirements for alcohol service training throughout California, ensuring a uniform approach to responsible service. Therefore, even with additional local training, RBS is still a required training.