What’s Changing for Oregon’s Alcohol Service Permit System?
Oregon’s Alcohol Service Permit system is undergoing significant changes following the passage of House Bill 4138 in 2024. If you’re a current or future permit holder, these changes will directly impact how you obtain and maintain your permit. Let’s break down what’s changing and how it affects you.
Quick Facts:
- Starting March 31, 2025, you must complete training and pass the final exam before legally serving alcohol in Oregon
- You will no longer receive a “temporary” Service Permit after merely submitting a Service Permit Application
- Applications submitted before March 31, 2025 will still be processed under the old rules
- The new CAMP (Cannabis and Alcohol Management Program) system for Alcohol Service Permits launches March 31, 2025
- The Service Permit Application fee is being reduced from $28.65 to $23
Oregon’s New Alcohol Service Permit Application Process
Before March 31: The Current Work-After-You-Apply System
When applying for an Alcohol Service Permit under the current system, individuals can begin working immediately after submitting their application and paying the fee. This “temporary” Service Permit status allows servers to legally work while completing their education requirements.
Unfortunately, this system had a significant loophole – applicants could submit multiple applications to receive multiple temporary permits without ever completing the required training. This allowed some servers to legally serve alcohol indefinitely without proper education, which undermined public safety goals.
After March 31: Complete Training Before Serving
This “work after you apply” option will be eliminated. You must complete all requirements before you can legally serve alcohol:
- Submit your application
- Pay the application fee (now reduced to $23, down from $28.65)
- Complete your Alcohol Server Education course
- Pass the OLCC’s final exam
Only after completing ALL these steps will you receive a Temporary Service Permit that allows you to start serving alcohol while the OLCC processes your application for the full five-year permit.
Before March 31, 2025
✓ Apply and receive temporary permit immediately
✓ $28.65 application fee
✓ Manually upload course completion certificate
✓ Could serve alcohol while completing training
✓ Potential loophole allowed repeated temporary permits
✓ Legacy online portal system
After March 31, 2025
✓ Must complete training and exam before receiving temporary permit
✓ $23 application fee
✓ Training is automatically sent to the OLCC
✓ Must complete training before serving alcohol
✓ Structured system requires education before permit issuance
✓ New CAMP online management system
Changes to Service Permit Documentation
Revised Temporary Service Permit System
HB 4138 formalizes and restructures the temporary permit system:
- Regular Service Permit: The standard five-year permit that has always existed.
- Temporary Service Permit: Now only issued after completing education requirements, replacing the previous informal “working while applying” status.
These changes represent a significant shift in how Oregon approaches alcohol service:
- No more on-the-job training while permitted: New servers can’t learn on the job until they’ve completed their education through an approved training program.
- Hiring impact: Employers will need to factor in additional time for new hires to complete all requirements before scheduling them for alcohol service duties.
- Education emphasis: The change prioritizes proper training before service begins, potentially improving compliance and safety.
Streamlined Documentation Process
Under the old system, applicants had to obtain a Certificate of Completion from their Alcohol Server Education provider and manually upload it to the OLCC’s online portal. After March 31st, this step is eliminated – your training provider will automatically report your completion directly to the OLCC through the CAMP system, making the process more efficient and reliable.
Important Dates for Oregon Alcohol Service Permit Changes
If you apply before March 31, 2025, you’ll still be able to work under the current rules while completing your requirements. The OLCC has confirmed that applications submitted before the deadline will be processed under the old system.
Key dates to remember:
- March 29, 2025, 5 PM: Current systems go offline
- March 31, 2025, 9 AM: CAMP system’s Alcohol Service Permits section launches
- March 31, 2025: Final day to apply under old rules
How Oregon’s New CAMP System Affects Service Permits
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission is launching Phase 3 of its Cannabis and Alcohol Management Program (CAMP) on March 31, 2025, which includes the Alcohol Service Permits & Marijuana Worker Permits sections.
CAMP’s Online Application Features
The new system includes streamlined online applications and multiple payment options including credit cards, debit cards, and electronic funds transfers.
Integration with Oregon’s Alcohol Server Education Courses
One major improvement is automatic course completion verification. Your Alcohol Server Education course completion will be sent directly to the OLCC – no more uploading certificates!
Managing Your Oregon Alcohol Service Permit Online
CAMP provides a unified dashboard for all your permit information and sends email notifications about important updates and approaching expirations.
What Oregon Alcohol Servers Need to Do Before March 2025
If your permit expires near the March 31 transition date:
- Renew early through the existing system to avoid complications
- Create your CAMP account as soon as the system goes live
- Watch for additional guidance from OLCC as the implementation date approaches
Remember that your existing information will be automatically transferred to CAMP and will be ready for your use on March 31. After that date, you should create a CAMP account and use the access code you receive to link your permit to your new account.
Check out our recently updated and expanded FAQ page for Oregon Alcohol Server Education for answers to common questions about these changes.
Want to learn more? Check out our other resources for Oregon Alcohol Servers:
