If you clicked on this article, you’ve probably already figured out that in order to serve alcohol in the State of Oregon, you will need to get an OLCC Permit. But now, you need to know how to get an OLCC Permit. Well, you’ve come to the right place because we are going to break it down for you into three easy steps!
Step #1: Take a course.
The first step is to take an Alcohol Server Education course that has been approved by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC). Craft Serving’s new, modern online course is not only approved by the OLCC, but it also features fun videos and interactive lessons developed by bartenders with years of experience working in the service industry. So in other words… it’s practical!
But do I really have to take a course, you ask? Yes, yes you do, and here’s why. After you finish the course, Craft Serving will provide you with a Certificate of Completion. Be sure to download a copy of your certificate because you will need it for the next step.
Step #2: Pass the exam.
The second step is to pass the exam. To take the exam, you must visit the OLCC’s online portal. If you don’t already have an account with the OLCC, you will need to create a new one. Once you are logged in to your account, go to the upper right-hand corner and select “Take Test.” This is where you will be asked to provide proof that you completed an Alcohol Server Education class. Upload the Certificate of Completion you received from Craft Serving and begin the exam.
You must get a score of 70% or higher to pass the exam. If you fail, don’t worry, you can re-take it as many times as needed in order to get a passing score! Also, here’s a hot tip. Craft Serving provides all its students with a free Practice Test. The questions on the practice test are very similar to the questions on the OLCC’s exam, so it’s a great way to prepare for the final exam. 😉
After you pass, don’t forget to complete and pay $28.65 for your Service Permit Application! Once you submit the application, you will be able to access a copy of a “temporary” OLCC Permit that allows you to work while you wait for the next step.
Sample “Temporary” OLCC Permit:
Step #3: Print your permit.
The final step is to print your permit. After you pass the test, you will have to wait about 14 days before you can go back to the OLCC’s online portal and print off a copy of your service permit. The OLCC will send you an email letting you know when your permit is ready.
In five years, your permit will expire and you will be required to retake an alcohol server education course. When that time comes, we hope you will visit us again!
Sample “5 Year” OLCC Permit:
For other answers to questions about OLCC Permits, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
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.