[📢 ATTENTION 📢]
Since RBS Training became mandatory in California on July 1, 2022 and it is valid for three years, many alcohol servers are now coming up on their first renewal period which will open April 2nd.
If you’re wondering how to renew your RBS Certification in California, you’re in the right place. Whether you’ve received a renewal reminder email or you’re planning ahead, this guide covers everything you need to know about RBS Certification renewal.
Quick Facts About RBS Certification Renewal
- When: Start renewal 90 days before expiration
- Cost: $3 ABC fee + RBS course fee (varies)
- Time: Complete renewal in one day
- Process: Complete training + pass exam
- Validity: New certification valid for 3 years
Has It Been Three Years?
Your RBS Certification is valid for exactly three years from the date you pass your final exam.
At the end of the three years, if you are still performing the duties of an alcohol server in California, you must renew your RBS Certification.
If you are no longer working as an alcohol server, you do not need to renew your certification.
It’s Time to Renew Your RBS Certification
When to Renew Your RBS Certification: The Renewal Eligibility Window
In order to renew your RBS Certification, you must be in your eligibility window. The window begins 90 days before your current certification’s expiration date.
If you attempt to renew your certification prior to the 90-day window by retaking RBS training from an authorized provider, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) will not accept your training.
That said, the ABC does not want you to miss your renewal. They will send you a total of four automatically generated reminder emails to let you know your “RBS Alcohol Server Certification” is eligible for renewal and one final email to let you know it has expired.
The California ABC’s Email Schedule for RBS Certification Renewal
- 1st Email: 90 Days Notice
- 2nd Email: 60 Days Notice
- 3rd Email: 30 Days Notice
- 4th Email: 10 Days Notice
- 5th Email: Expired Notice
Just a heads up, you might not be the only person to receive these emails! If you provided your Server ID Number to your employer and they added it to their employee roster within their License Administrator account in the ABC’s online RBS Portal, then they will receive the same emails regarding your eligibility to renew.
3 Reasons to Renew Your RBS Certification Now
Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Training is required by law.
In California, alcohol servers and their managers are not directly penalized for failing to obtain RBS Certification. Rather, the responsibility falls on the employer.
If a business’ managers and servers do not have current RBS Certification, the business can incur a 10-day liquor license suspension.
Are You Serving Alcohol Illegally?
1. There Is No Grace Period to Renew Your RBS Certification Once It Has Expired
The ABC offers a 60-day grace period to new hires that need to obtain RBS Certification for the first time, but there is no grace period for alcohol servers once their certification is expired.
The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 4, Article 25, Section 169(d) states: “An ABC on-premises licensee must ensure that a certified alcohol server is recertified prior to the expiration, or they will be subject to the prohibition found in Business and Professions code § 25683.“
2. Many Employers Won’t Put Employees on the Schedule Until Their RBS Certification is Valid
Although RBS training is fairly new, ABC licensed businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the laws regarding it.
The California Business and Professions Code, Division 9, Chapter 16, Article 4, Section 25682(a) states: “Beginning July 1, 2021, a licensee that is subject to this article shall not employ or continue to employ any alcohol server without a valid alcohol server certification.”1
3. Memory Fades & Liquor Laws Change
A lot can happen in three years. You’ve learned new things. You’re older and wiser. But as far as RBS training goes, chances are you’ve forgotten a few things and there have been some new changes to California State’s liquor laws.
Renew Quickly With Craft Serving
Here’s the good news about renewal.
Unlike most other RBS Courses, ours does not have timers on each page. That means, since you are already familiar with most of the information, you can breeze through it as quickly as you please.
If you’re looking for more reasons to choose our RBS Course, check out our blog post Finding the Best RBS Class for You.
Steps to Renew Your RBS Certification
Renewing your RBS Certification is actually easier than getting it for the first time!
Since this isn’t your first rodeo, you’ve already got an account set-up with the ABC within their RBS Portal. This means you won’t have to register with the ABC again or submit another Server Application.
When you return to the RBS Portal and log back in to your account – let’s be honest, you’ll probably need to reset your password – all your server information will be visible.
The portal saves your:
- Name
- DOB
- Zip Code
- Certification Status
- Server ID Number
- Renewal Date
- RBS Training History (when you last completed training and who you took it from)
Server Certificate Details*
Status: Expired
ID Number: 313456789
Renewal Date: 02/02/2025
Renew Certification »
This is your digital RBS certificate. You will need to provide your Server ID Number to your employer for verification in the RBS Portal. A physical or downloadable certificate will not be issued to you.
California ABC RBS Portal Dashboard Server Certificate Details
Step 1 – Log in to Your Account With the ABC and Pay $3
Log in to your existing Server Account on the ABC’s RBS Portal and pay $3 to the ABC for recertification. If the email address you used at the initial time of registration is no longer valid, you can email [email protected] to have your email address updated.
Step 2 – Complete RBS Training Course
Take an RBS training course from an authorized training provider. Training providers have 24 hours to confirm server training in the RBS Portal.
You can retake training from the same RBS training provider or you can pick a new one from the ABC’s approved training provider list. Keep in mind, everyone’s course is a little different.
Step 3 – Pass the ABC’s Exam
Return to the RBS Portal after your training is confirmed. While Craft Serving submits your training record to the ABC immediately upon course completion, other providers may take 24 to 48 hours to confirm your training.
Once confirmed, you have:
- 30 days to complete the exam
- 3 attempts to pass
- Must score 70% or higher to pass
After you pass the course and exam, your certification status in the RBS Portal will change from “Expired” to “Certified” and will be good for another three years.
What if My RBS Certification Has Already Expired?
What if you log into your account with the ABC and you see the following warning message in your user dashboard? (whoops 😬)
If your RBS Certification has already expired, you are not legally permitted to serve alcohol in California and must retake the RBS training course and pass the state exam to renew your certification. Since there is no grace period once your certification expires, you need to re-certify immediately to legally serve alcohol again.
However, there is good news! You can typically complete the renewal process in less than one day.
Since everything is done online, it’s safe, easy and can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Complete Your RBS Renewal Today
Renewing your RBS Certification doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With Craft Serving’s timer-free course and the ABC’s streamlined portal, you can complete your renewal in just a few hours. Don’t risk your ability to serve alcohol – get recertified today and ensure you’re compliant with California law for another three years.
If you have any questions about the renewal process, we’re here to help. Contact us at [email protected] or reach out to the California ABC at [email protected].
- Due to COVID-19, the enactment of this law was delayed until July 1, 2022. ↩︎
Did you enjoy this article? Check out our other related posts!
Finding the Best RBS Class for You
