Navigating TABC certification laws is essential for those who work in the alcohol industry. Failing to follow TABC rules can lead to fines, legal issues, and even loss of job opportunities.
Timely TABC renewal also boosts professional development and career advancement. Here’s how you can avoid common TABC compliance mistakes.
Licenses and Permits
Various licenses and permits are required for businesses in the alcohol industry. These include beer, wine, liquor licenses, and brewer’s permits.
There may also be rules on a local level about how far away from schools or churches you can sell alcohol. There are also requirements about signage, reporting disturbances, and more.
Even if TABC Certification isn’t required by law to work in the alcohol industry, many employers ask their employees to get certified because it’s essential for everyone’s safety and the protection of customers. It’s also worth noting that if you serve alcohol to minors, it is a Class A misdemeanor, which can have serious consequences. Getting your TABC licensing certification is easy and affordable, so it’s worth the investment. You can find TABC training courses in your area here.
Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Regulations
The ABC is a significant funding source for state programs and services, contributing more than $2.7 billion to the general fund in the last five years. The agency also operates 399 state stores and oversees alcohol education and prevention initiatives.
New laws signed into effect in 2022 affect a wide variety of issues affecting licensees. One, for example, allows current restaurant/bar licensees to apply for a permit to expand their footprint and sell alcoholic beverages to-go if they meet specific requirements.
Another change requires all employees at on-premises establishments to complete ABC’s Responsible Beverage Service Training Program by the summer of 2022. Other legislation (SB 389) consolidates and streamlines license types and fees, aligning them with enforcement demands. A new online portal allows for the submission of anonymous complaints against licensed business owners and operators. This is a significant expansion of the ABC’s authority to investigate violations. In addition, a law passed during the emergency COVID-19 response suspends the Department’s rules relating to expanding a licensee’s footprint and selling to-go beverage sales for 365 days.
TABC Certification Requirements
TABC certification isn’t just about legal compliance – it also boosts job prospects and reduces business liability. However, it’s important to remember that breaking TABC certificate rules can lead to significant consequences.
One of the best ways to ensure your employees’ TABC certificates remain valid is by signing up for a free Employer Account with TABC On The Fly. This will allow you to manage your roster of employees and get automated email alerts a month before an employee’s TABC course expires.
TABC On The Fly offers the fastest online TABC course. The course is self-paced so you can proceed through modules at your own pace. However, it’s important to remember not to log out of the course, or your progress will be lost. This can result in having to retake modules or retake the exam. Luckily, TABC On The Fly’s course allows you to save your progress throughout the course.
TABC Certification Renewal
Keeping TABC certification current is essential for compliance and career advancement for business owners and bartenders. It helps ensure that you understand the responsibilities involved in serving alcohol to minors, including how to check identification to prevent underage sales and understand the harmful effects of alcohol and how to avoid them.
The process of TABC certification renewal may seem daunting, but the good news is that it’s relatively simple once you know how to navigate it. The key is to prepare beforehand by ensuring you have the required information before you log into AIMS to renew.
You can start the TABC certification renewal process up to 30 days before your license or permit expires, and you can continue licensed activities until your application is processed by TABC as long as you post the receipt or confirmation email next to the license or permit at your location. You should also show this receipt to your distributors, wholesalers, or LPs when making alcohol deliveries.