In North Carolina, there are no state mandates requiring servers or bartenders to be licensed to sell, mix, or serve alcoholic beverages.
It is important to note, however, that some employers might still require bartenders to complete specific training or courses to ensure that their employees serve alcohol in a responsible manner.
Free Responsible Alcohol Server/Seller Training Program (RASP)
Again, while there is no law requiring servers and bartenders to be certified in any way, North Carolina’s ABC Commission’s Education Outreach division does offer a free Responsible Alcohol Server/Seller Training Program (RASP). Tailored for both on-premise and off-premise business owners, managers, and employees, this interactive class is conducted over a span of 2 hours, combining videos and classroom discussions to address:
- Preventing sales to minors and inebriated individuals
- Identifying valid and fake IDs
- Dram shop laws, happy hour laws, hours of sale, and other laws
- Strategies to safeguard your business, the public, and yourself under certain circumstances
The course is available through both in-person and online training modules across the state.
If you’re at all interested, click here to explore RASP training sessions by zip code.
Limitations to Becoming a Bartender in North Carolina
According to state mandates, one cannot become a server of alcoholic beverages at a licensed establishment if they:
- Had a felony conviction in the last 3 years
- Have been convicted of an alcoholic beverage or controlled substances offense within the preceding 2 years
- Had any permit for the sale or possession of alcoholic beverages revoked within the preceding three years
Minimum Age To Serve Alcoholic Beverages In North Carolina
- 18 to serve beer and wine
- 21 to serve liquor
According to N.C. Admin. Code 15B.0203, no person under the age of 21 may be employed by any permittee to mix drinks containing spirituous liquor.
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