Contents
- Overview
- Training Courses and Programs
- Salary and Job Outlook for Bartenders in Alaska
- FAQs
- Do busboys or other restaurant/ bar workers need a bartending license?
- Do I have to have a physical copy of my bartending license on me at all times?
- Are bar owners/ liquor license holders required to be licensed?
- Can I drink on the job while working as a bartender?
- What is the minimum age required to sell or serve alcohol in Alaska?
In the State of Alaska, all bartenders and servers of alcoholic beverages must receive approved alcohol server training within 30 days of employment. This means that an alcohol server course is mandatory.
Each bartender or server must renew their certification every 3 years.
Overview
| License Required? | Yes |
| Years Valid | 3 |
| Deadline | Within 30 days of employment |
| Governing Body | Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office |
Training Courses and Programs
As of October, 2023, there are only three approved alcohol server training providers by Alaska’s Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office.
Any new approved providers by the state will be listed here.
It is important to know that alcohol serving laws differ from state to state. Although courses approved in other states may have the same title, they are not the same as the course taught in Alaska.
Salary and Job Outlook for Bartenders in Alaska
Unsurprisingly, Alaska has the least amount of employed bartenders of any state in the United States. There are only 1,170 in the entire state as of 2020 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This number is expected to grow by 30.8% by 2030.
The good news is that the amount of bartending employment opportunities per 1,000 jobs in the state is one of the highest in the country. For every 1,000 jobs in Alaska, 6.059 are bartenders.
| Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Wage | Highest 10% |
|---|---|---|
| $13.67 | $28,440 | $35,620 |
FAQs
Do busboys or other restaurant/ bar workers need a bartending license?
No. As long as you do not take orders, check IDs, or serve/sell alcohol, you do not need to be licensed. But, let’s be honest, as a busboy it is highly likely a customer will ask you to bring them a drink, therefore we highly suggest just going ahead and becoming licensed.
Do I have to have a physical copy of my bartending license on me at all times?
Technically, yes. In reality, we have seen photos on your phone get by. With that being said, the law states that you need to have it with you at all times.
Are bar owners/ liquor license holders required to be licensed?
Yes, according to state mandates, licensees are required to be licensed regardless of if they ever deal with alcohol.
Can I drink on the job while working as a bartender?
Yes. There are no laws in Alaska that state you cannot drink while working as a bartender as long as you do not become intoxicated (i.e. drunk).
What is the minimum age required to sell or serve alcohol in Alaska?
21 years old.
