Do You Need a Bartending License?
Most states require alcohol servers to be a certain age, usually 21 or 18 years old, and many of those also require liquor establishments to be licensed--in addition to any local liquor permits that may be required--to ensure the age requirement is enforced. But none actually requires the bartenders within those businesses to be licensed, only that the proprietor verify their ages.
Other People Are Reading
-
State by State
-
Each state's laws are unique in regard to who can consume, possess, sell or serve alcoholic beverages (see Resources). When employed by an establishment to serve alcohol, you will usually need one of the following: a valid state driver's license, a state-issued identification card, a military ID card or a valid passport. Apply with your state's department of licensing or equivalent. This way the proprietor can verify your age before you begin serving.
To Get a License or Not
-
Getting a license from an accredited school may not help at all, especially if you've studied your drinks and can exhibit know-how, but it could gain you the knowledge needed to land the job you want sooner. Showing that you've attended school for bartending and have a bartending license could weigh in your favor.
-
Find an Accredited School
-
If you've decided to attend school to improve your lot and brush up on what you'll need to know, there are hundreds of schools from which to choose--both online and in your neighborhood. Online schools offer coursework designed to teach the basics and a variety of drink combinations. Prices range from basic coursework for $29.99 up to intensive memorization and application for a few hundred dollars. Some websites offer free bartending school, and these sites will help you brush up on your chemistry. They offer no formal certificate of completion, however. If you choose a storefront school, or an organization that trains at participating bars in your area, check the name at Betterbusinessbureau.org. The price will range the same as an online school, but you gain the benefit of networking and real-world interaction--something still required in the trade.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit glass of alcohol image by Gleb Semenjuk from Fotolia.com
