[📢 UPDATED MARCH 2025]
This post has been revised to reflect changes from House Bill 4138 and the new OLCC CAMP system.
4 Simple Steps to Get Your Oregon Alcohol Service Permit
If you’re planning to serve alcohol in Oregon, you’ll need an official Oregon Alcohol Service Permit issued by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC). With recent changes from House Bill 4138 taking effect on March 31, 2025, the application process has been updated. We’ve broken down the new process into four simple steps to help you get your permit quickly and easily!
Step 1: Complete an Approved Alcohol Server Education Course
The first step is to take an Alcohol Server Education (ASE) course that has been approved by the OLCC. Craft Serving’s engaging online course is not only OLCC-approved but features practical videos and interactive lessons developed by experienced industry professionals.
Our course covers everything you need to know about responsible alcohol service in Oregon, including:
- Oregon liquor laws and regulations
- How to check IDs properly
- Recognizing signs of intoxication
- Handling difficult situations
- Preventing service to minors
After completing the course, Craft Serving will automatically submit your completion information to the OLCC’s new CAMP system.
Step 2: Apply via CAMP
The OLCC has launched a new online portal called CAMP (Cannabis and Alcohol Management Program) that handles all alcohol service permits. You’ll need to:
- Visit CAMP and create an account if you don’t already have one
- Complete the Service Permit Application
- Pay the $23 application fee
Important Note: Make sure the personal information you provide in your CAMP application (name, date of birth) exactly matches what you used when taking our course. This ensures the OLCC can automatically match your records.
Step 3: Pass the OLCC’s Exam
After both your application and course completion records are received and matched in the CAMP system, you’ll receive an email notification that you can take the final exam. Log into CAMP to access and complete the test.
You need a score of 70% or higher to pass. If you don’t pass on your first attempt, don’t worry – you can retake the exam as many times as needed at no additional cost!
Pro Tip: Craft Serving provides all students with a free Practice Test with questions similar to those on the OLCC exam. Taking our practice test is a great way to prepare and boost your confidence before the final exam!
Step 4: Receive Your Permits
The process provides two permits:
- Temporary Service Permit: Immediately upon passing the exam, you’ll receive a temporary permit that allows you to legally begin serving alcohol right away.
- Five-Year Service Permit: Within approximately 14 days, the OLCC will review your application. Once approved, you’ll receive an email notification. Simply log back into CAMP to access your official five-year permit, which you can download and print.
Your Oregon Alcohol Service Permit will be valid for five full years from the date of issue. Before it expires, you’ll need to complete another alcohol server education course and repeat this process.
Ready to get started?
Already Have an Alcohol Service Permit? Important Information About CAMP Transition
If you currently hold an OLCC Service Permit or have a pending application, you’ll need to follow these steps to access your permit in the new CAMP system after March 31, 2025:
- Create a new account in the CAMP portal (or use your existing CAMP account if you already have one)
- Once logged in, locate the “Permit Access Code Request Tool” (found either during initial login or at the bottom of your “My Profile” page)
- Enter your name and the email address you originally used when applying for your OLCC permit
- Check your email (including spam folders) for your access code
- Enter this code in CAMP to associate your existing permit with your new account
Note: This process is only required for current permit holders or those with pending applications. If your permit expired before March 31, 2025, or you’re applying for the first time, you’ll simply follow the new application process outlined above.
Changes in 2025 for Oregon Alcohol Service Permits
As of March 31, 2025, due to House Bill 4138, applicants can no longer receive a temporary permit immediately after applying. You must complete a server education course and pass the final exam before receiving any permit that allows you to serve alcohol in Oregon.
Additionally, the OLCC has launched a new online portal called CAMP (Cannabis and Alcohol Management Program) that will replace the previous system. All permit applications, renewals, and access to existing permits will now be managed through this new system.
For a more detailed overview of these changes, check out our in-depth articles:
Oregon Alcohol Service Permit Changes: New Requirements Under House Bill 4138
New Requirements for Oregon On-Premises Liquor Licensees Under House Bill 4138
You can also view the full text of House Bill 4138 on the Oregon Legislative Information System website.
For other frequently asked questions about Oregon Alcohol Service Permits, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
- WHO NEEDS TO GET AN OLCC PERMIT?
- WHEN DO I NEED TO GET AN OLCC PERMIT?
- HOW DO I REPLACE A LOST OR STOLEN OLCC PERMIT?
- DO I NEED TO HAVE MY OLCC PERMIT ON ME WHEN I’M WORKING?
- WHY DO I HAVE TO TAKE A COURSE TO GET MY OLCC PERMIT?
Want to learn more? Check out our other resources for Oregon Alcohol Servers:
Tips to Help Bartenders Execute Successful Pop-Ups
didnot recieve any notice that my permit is ready, Ican go tosite it shows I passed but cannot print it
Hi Kerry. If you are having technical difficulties printing your permit from the OLCC’s online portal, then I’m afraid I’m at a loss. But if your issue is more involved than that, as I suspect it is, I think I can offer an explanation.
Our records show you passed the course June 15th. If you also went to the OLCC’s online portal, submitted your Service Permit Application and passed their final exam, then you have completed all the steps you need to. If you later returned to the portal, logged in to your account, and you only see a temporary permit, then your application is still under review. It is perfectly acceptable for you to keep serving with the temporary permit. As you can see, it has no expiration date (intentionally, so the OLCC can take as much time as they need to review your application).
Now here is the bad news. Before the pandemic, it used to take about 14 days for the OLCC to review and approve Service Permit Applications. I know it was a while ago, but for some reason, since the pandemic, they haven’t been able to get caught back up. We’ve heard from students who have been waiting for months.
We recommend that, every week or so, you just keep checking back in on your account to see if the five year permit is there. If you want to be more proactive, you can also reach out to the OLCC and inquire about the status of your permit. That might help expedite the process.
Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission
P: (503) 872-5200
E: [email protected]
Sorry about the delay! We wish there was more we could do to help. And please let us know if you still have any questions.