Let’s be brutally honest. If you are pouring drinks in California right now and you still don’t have your RBS Certification, you are playing Russian Roulette with your paycheck.

The grace period is over. The “I didn’t know” excuses are dead.

California Assembly Bill 1221 is fully in effect. The Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is done asking nicely. They are now enforcing.

If you are working without that certification attached to your name in the state database, you aren’t just an employee; you are a walking liability. And trust us, your manager knows it.

Today, we’re cutting through the noise. It’s time to stop screwing around and get legal before the next sting operation hits your bar.

The “Veteran Bartender” Delusion

We hear it every day: “I’ve been slinging drinks since ’98. I don’t need a class to tell me how to cut someone off.”

Guess what? The law doesn’t care about your experience.

There is no grandfather clause. There is no exemption for being “good at your job.” Whether you are a 21-year-old barback on your first shift or a 50-year-old mixologist, if you serve alcohol in CA, you need the California RBS Certification. Period.

If you think you are too cool for compliance, you are going to be too unemployed to pay rent.

The ABC Sting: It’s Not If, It’s When

California ABC agents aren’t just looking for sales to minors anymore. They are running compliance checks on staff.

Picture this: It’s Friday night. You’re three deep at the well. An agent walks in, identifies themselves to the manager, and asks for the server roster. They run the names against the RBS database right there on their tablet.

Your name comes up red.

Game over. You are pulled off the floor immediately. The bar gets cited. The owner gets fined. And you? You’re likely looking for a new job on Monday morning because no owner wants the hassle of an uncertified liability on staff.

The ACE Solution: Stop Suffering Through Garbage Courses

Why are you procrastinating? We know why. Because most RBS courses are absolute trash. They are boring, 4-hour text slideshows built by bureaucrats who have never worked a shift in their lives.

We fixed it. ACE Food Handler is the “Red Bull” of RBS training.

We built a world-class, state-approved platform designed for people who actually work for a living.

• Aggressively Modern: 100% Video-Based. No reading walls of tiny text. Watch the videos, learn the tactics, and get it done.

• Mobile-First: Do it on your phone in the back of an Uber. Do it on your couch. Just get it done.

• State-Approved & Fast: We are fully accredited by the ABC. Our system talks directly to their database so you get credit fast.

• The Price is Right: We priced it low so you have absolutely zero excuses left.

Final Warning: Get Certified or Get Out

The industry has changed. Compliance isn’t optional anymore.

You have two choices: Keep risking your livelihood every single shift, or spend a few bucks, watch some videos, and secure your job.

Stop being the “weak link” on your team. Use the code below and get compliant TODAY.

COUPON CODE: ACE20 Save 20% on your mandatory California RBS Certification.

> STOP RISKING YOUR JOB: Start Your RBS Course Now

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is RBS certification mandatory in California now? Yes. As of July 1, 2022, absolutely every alcohol server and their managers must have a valid RBS certification to work legally in California. The mandate is fully active.

What happens if I work without RBS certification? You are violating state law. If caught by the ABC, your employer faces substantial fines and administrative penalties against their liquor license. Most employers will terminate uncertified staff immediately to protect their business.

How do I get my official RBS certificate? It is a three-step process: 1) Register on the RBS Portal and get your “Server ID.” 2) Take an approved course (like ACE Food Handler). 3) Return to the RBS Portal to take the final state-proctored exam.

Is ACE Food Handler approved by the California ABC? Yes. ACE Food Handler is an approved RBS Training Provider listed on the official ABC website.

How long does the RBS certification last? Your California RBS certification is valid for three years. You must retake the training and exam before it expires to stay working legally.

Need a Certified Food Manager? Stop Overpaying for “Brand Names.” Did you know that ServSafe® is just a brand, not a legal requirement? The actual standard is ANAB-CFP Accreditation—and we have it. Through our partnership with FMC, Ace Restaurant Manager Training offers the exact same nationally recognized accreditation for a fraction of the cost. Our platform is faster, more modern, and built for real restaurant pros who don’t have time for clunky, outdated systems. Enjoy instant results, flexible remote proctoring, and the industry’s best bulk pricing. Don’t just get certified; get a better deal with the training platform that thousands of managers trust over the “big guys.”

👉 Get ANAB-Approved Manager Certification Now | [Compare Our Pricing & Save]

California Responsible Beverage Service Training offered by ACE Food Handler. Our California Responsible Beverage Service Training course is completely online and can be taken from any computer, tablet, or phone with an internet connection.

Getting your California RBS training certificate is simple and only requires a few steps:

• Register on the RBS Website
• Get your RBS Server Number
• Complete the online California RBS Training course.
• Return to the RBS Website
• Pass the final exam with a score of 80% or better.
• Give your RBS Server Number to your employer

This online California alcoholic beverage seller training course is designed to promote the legal and responsible sale and service of alcoholic beverages in California.

RBS Training Requirements

Beginning July 1, 2022 the state law AB 1221 will make RBS training mandatory at the state level. This course meets these requirements.

Prior to taking this course, You Must Register as an Alcohol Server with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. You can Click Here to Register.

After you register and complete your application, you will be given an RBS Server ID Number. When asked, you will need to enter this number at the beginning of the course to continue.

After you have concluded the training portion of the course with ACE Food Handler we will upload your course completion data to the state the day after completion.  You will log back into your state ABC account the next day to take your exam.  You will then need to pass an online ABC administered RBS exam within 60 calendar days from the first date of employment.

Note: Per the California ABC, you will only have 30 days from your course completion date to take the exam or you will need to order a new course and take the training again. 

Find our name listed on the California RBS Training Providers

California RBS Training Program Approved Training Provider

Updated 02/08/2022