In Iowa there aren’t any state regulations in place that require a server or bartender to be licensed in order to sell alcohol.
Some employers, however, will require bartenders to complete such courses regardless of state or city laws. Continue reading for suggestions on bartending license course providers.
This post was updated on April 3, 2020.
Minimum Age To Serve Alcoholic Beverages In Iowa:
- 18 to sell and dispense liquor, wine, or beer for on-premises consumption (restaurants, bars, clubs, etc.)
Bartending Training Providers for State of Iowa:
Although the state of Iowa does not have any bartending license requirements, it still may be in your best interest to receive proper bartending training.
Online courses will always provide certificates proving that you have a basic understanding of bartending. They’re great for the resume, will help you get a leg-up on the competition when applying, and will ultimately help you get employed.
- A popular course provider in the state is this course from Serving Alcohol. It’s all online, cheap, and unlike most courses, it’s not very time consuming.
Downloadable Educational Material:
- Alcohol Awareness poster
- Drinking in Moderation poster
- Iowa’s Alcoholic Beverage Laws and You booklet
- Program for Alcohol Compliance Training (I-PACT) flier
Other Requirements That May Be Helpful:
- Driver’s License or Passport
- Good Communication Skills
- Non-slip Bartending Shoes
- Knowledge of basic drink recipes
Please Note: In the state of Iowa, local authorities have the right to adopt their own bartending license regulations.
This means, despite state-wide laws, counties may still require those who serve or sell alcohol to take some sort of training. Furthermore, this means that age requirements may differ from county to county.
If you’re unsure what your county requires, don’t sweat. Our research concludes that almost all counties in the state of Iowa follow the state-wide regulations. Hence, you will not be required to take any training of sort. That said, it’s always smart to double check with your manager or the local Alcohol Division.For more information, please contact your local City Clerk’s office.
Cheers!