Get Your RBS Certification Today!
Get your RBS certification with our online training program. Gain the crucial skills to pass the exam with flying colors. Learn at your own pace from wherever you are!
Our Course is California Alcoholic Beverage Control Certified!
Approved By:
California Department of
Alcoholic Beverage Control
California Responsible Beverage Service Training
The objectives of our California RBS Certification Course are to:
- Teach useful techniques for checking identification and recognizing fake IDs.
- Train servers to recognize the signs of intoxication.
- Educate on how alcohol affects the body and the factors that influence intoxication.
- Teach about California’s alcohol-related laws and regulations.
- Provide information on how to create a safe and responsible environment for patrons.
- For managers, the course provides education on how to create and implement responsible alcohol service policies.
ABC-Approved California RBS Training Provider
ServeSmart is an ABC accredited RBS Training provider for individuals that need to obtain a Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Certification to serve alcohol at liquor-licensed businesses.
ServeSmart’s RBS certification course is self-paced and simple to use so servers and bartenders can get certified quickly and efficiently! Our online course features interactive lessons that make learning about California’s liquor laws fun and engaging. This approach provides alcohol servers with more relevant content while meeting ABC’s requirements.
- Once you register, you can begin the course right away.
- The registration, course, and final exam are completely online.
- After you complete our course, you will have 30 days to pass the final exam on the state website.
We’ve developed our course to be as painless as possible.
California RBS Certification in 3 Easy Steps
STEP 1
Register with ABC
Create a personal RBS account with the California Alcoholic Beverage Commission through the RBS Portal.
STEP 3
Pass State Exam
After completion of our course, return to the RBS portal and take the RBS certification exam.
RBS Certification Course Overview
Ready to begin the process of getting your RBS Certification? Let’s take a look at what our course entails!
Course Outline
- Introduction
- Module One: Social Impact of Alcohol
- Module Two: Impact of Alcohol on the Body
- Module Three: Laws and Regulations
- Module Four: Intervention Techniques
- Module Five: Management Policies
Course Overview
- Course Length: Self-paced
- Exam Questions: 25 Questions
- Exam Attempts: 3x
- Passing Score: 70%
- Pass Guarantee: Yes
- Certification Valid: 3 years
Get or Renew Your California RBS Certification
Get Certified
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control requires you to obtain a certification within 60 days of your initial hire date. To get a Responsible Beverage Service Certification for the first time, you must take an ABC-certified course.
Renew Certification
Your certification is good for 3 years. In order to renew, you must retake the California RBS training and pass the exam. It is advised that you renew your permit 45 days prior to your expiration date.
Take the RBS Certification Course Online from Your Phone!
Achieving your RBS certification in California has never been more convenient than with our online course. Designed with your busy lifestyle in mind, our fully mobile-friendly platform allows you to complete the entire training from the palm of your hand anytime, anywhere.
With ServeSmart, you control your learning pace, allowing you to absorb the essential information at your own speed, seamlessly fitting into your daily routine. The best part? You can learn from your couch or during your commute to work. No need to visit any learning center or keep up with the group!
Why Choose Us?
70% Pass Rate
70% of our students pass the RBS training exam on their first try! Need a retake? No problem! You get three exam attempts in total.
Secure Payment
Our secure payment portal accepts both Stripe for credit card transactions as well as PayPal!
Certificate of Completion
After completing the California Responsible Beverage Training Course, you'll receive a certificate to present to your employer.
Workbook
Your California RBS Alcohol Certification grants you access to a printable workbook, allowing you to easily review and retain the course's valuable information.
Multilingual
Our course is available in the following languages:
- English
- Spanish
Support
Our US-based customer support is available 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific, Monday through Friday.
What Our Students Are Saying!
Jobs You Can Get With a Responsible Beverage Service in California
Your California RBS Certification qualifies you to work in restaurants, bars, nightclubs, breweries, wineries, and more. Employers are legally required to hire RBS-certified staff. According to recent wage data from Indeed, Salary.com, and ZipRecruiter, here’s what you can expect to earn:
| Occupation | Average Hourly Rates | Average Annual Salary |
| Bartender | $15.70 | $26,359 |
| Server | $15.09 | $32,281 |
| Restaurant Staff (General) | $16.89 | $59,347 |
| Tasting Room Staff | $20.58 | $42,800 |
| Restaurant/Bar Manager | $25.43 | $86,360 |
| Hotel and resort server | $30.10 | $62,604 |
California RBS Certification Requirements
RBS training in California comes with certain requirements you should be aware of before enrolling in our course. Namely:
- California law mandates RBS training for anyone who serves alcohol in on-premises establishments. This includes servers, bartenders, and their managers.
- The training must be provided by a provider approved by the ABC.
- Individuals must register with ABC’s RBS Portal to obtain a Server ID.
- Alcohol servers and managers must complete the training and pass the exam within 60 days of their first date of employment.
- The exam must be completed within 30 days of finishing the course.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is California RBS Certification?
RBS Training is a mandatory certification in California for anyone who sells or serves alcohol, as well as anyone who supervises, trains, or directly hires alcohol servers on ABC-licensed premises.
How do I get RBS Certified?
RBS training and certification is a three-step process:
- Register as a server on the ABC website (this includes the managers of alcohol servers) on the RBS Portal.
- Take RBS training from an ABC Approved Training Provider.
- Return to the ABC website and take the alcohol server certification exam on the RBS Portal.
How long does California RBS certification take?
Getting RBS certified can take between 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on which provider you choose. The course can take between 90 minutes to 3 hours, and the 50-question exam can take between 1 to 2 hours.
Is being RBS Certified mandatory to serve alcohol in California?
California’s Responsible Beverage Server training became mandatory on July 1, 2022, due to Assembly Bills 1221 and 82. To comply, on-premises alcohol servers and their managers are required to: register with the ABC’s RBS Portal, complete training from an ABC-approved provider, and pass the ABC Alcohol Server Certification exam.
The full certification process must be completed within 60 days of employment, with the exam taken within 30 days of finishing the training course.
Where can I find a list of approved providers?
You can find a searchable list of providers in the RBS Portal. You can also use search engines to find providers, just make sure to verify that the course you select is approved by ABC.
How do I get a copy of my RBS Certification?
California’s Alcoholic Beverage Control uses digital certification. Upon passing the RBS exam, your status will update to ‘Certified’ on your dashboard; there are no physical or downloadable certificates. Your Server ID and certification status can be viewed in the ‘Server Certificate Details’ section.
How much does the training cost?
ServeSmart’s training is offered for $12.95. In addition to the cost of training, you’ll also be required to pay $3.00 when registering with the Alcoholic Beverage Control.
Learn More About RBS
- California RBS Certification FAQ
- What is RBS Certification?
- How to Get RBS Certified in California
- How Much is Bartending School in California?
- How to Become a Bartender in California?
- Does a Bouncer Need to Be RBS Certified?
- Who Needs RBS Training in California?
- The 3-Step Process to RBS Compliance in California
Last updated: October 24, 2025 — Reviewed for accuracy with California ABC requirements.