After browsing through job advertisements in your area, you may have seen mention of TABC certification. In particular, a TABC certificate may have been listed as a requirement by alcohol-selling and serving businesses looking for new employees.
If you’ve never worked in the service industry before, you may not be TABC-certified or even know what a TABC cert is. However, it won’t be long until you do. Below, you can learn what TABC certification is and who needs one.
What Is TABC Certification?
TABC certification describes a course that alcohol-serving and selling employees can take to meet their employer’s requirements.
Upon completing the course content at your own pace through trusted providers, you can receive a TABC certificate that can essentially function as a type of TABC server license for safe alcohol service. The goal is to ensure people who work with alcohol understand the most recent alcohol laws in Texas, can spot the signs of intoxication, and know how to avoid selling alcohol to minors.
What Does TABC Stand For?
TABC stands for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and only approved businesses can provide the course content on the TABC’s behalf. The TABC cert, as it’s often called, is short for Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission certification.
Who Needs a TABC Certification?
TABC licensing is not legally required in Texas for the average alcohol-serving employee. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from having it. Many alcohol-serving business owners prefer for their employees to have TABC certification when selling or serving alcohol to the public.
It can be of great benefit for the following reasons:
Reduced Penalties for Business Owners
While not guaranteed in all situations, the penalties and fines for business owners can sometimes be reduced if their alcohol-serving and selling employees are TABC-certified in Texas and their business meets other criteria. Known as the TABC Safe Harbor Act, businesses may be eligible for ‘safe harbor’ if they:
- Implement training programs (like a TABC certificate in Texas) for employees who are serving alcohol
- Aren’t the person who sold alcohol to a minor or intoxicated person
- Ensure employees are TABC-certified in Texas within 30 days of being hired
- Have written policies for responsible alcohol service and ensure all employees have read and understand them
- Don’t encourage (directly or indirectly) employees to violate the law
- Haven’t had 3+ types of these violations in 12 months
Safe Service
Most business owners and their employees want to keep their patrons safe. TABC certification can go a long way toward achieving that goal. There are modules within the TABC program covering a range of helpful topics that can contribute to overall safe service, including:
- Training processes
- Minors and alcohol sales
- Recognizing identification
- Navigating potential underage sales
- Intoxicated persons and alcohol sales
Job Opportunities
The flexible working hours of the hospitality and service industry can be attractive to many people. However, it can be a competitive market, and many people find it challenging to make their resumes stand out.
Alongside having past alcohol-serving experience, you may also find it easier to secure work if you have TABC certification. Otherwise, your employer may encourage you to undertake the program within 30 days of being hired.
Get TABC Certified Today with TABC Pronto
Are you asking the question: How do you get TABC certified? You’re in the right place. TABC Pronto makes it easy! Enroll in our TABC certification program online today and receive your TABC certificate in no time!
You can complete our 100% online course at your own pace – there are no timers! Follow the steps below:
- Visit www.tabcpronto.com
- Click ‘TABC Certification’ in the menu
- Click ‘Enroll Now’ to purchase the TABC certification course
- Work through the modules and complete your final exam
- Pass with 70% to receive your TABC cert!