Alcohol service is one of the lesser-mentioned, yet it carries some of the most severe consequences. All it takes is a single careless sale to put your job at risk, create problems for both you and your employer, and, in more serious circumstances, expose you to criminal penalties.
That's why it's highly advisable to take the alcohol server certification seriously. And despite this process being straightforward, it can quickly become tricky if you don't understand what your particular state requires of you.
Still, the following practical ways will make your training easier and help you avoid making mistakes that may cost you time and money.
1. Know What Your State's Permit Is Called
A quick way to get confused is searching for an "alcohol server permit" without considering the terminology used in your state. Depending on where you work, this permit may be referred to as 'Responsible Beverage Server Training', 'Seller/Server Certification', 'Alcohol Awareness Training', and so on.
In some states, the training is mandatory. In others, it's simply strongly encouraged or required by an employer. Texas provides a perfect example, as the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission offers the training, but Texas law doesn't require bartenders and wait staff to hold the certification.
Still, taking an expertly written alcohol server training course is highly recommended, as it makes you attractive to employers and provides important protections for qualifying businesses. The lesson here, nonetheless, is to carefully evaluate online courses to ensure they meet your state's licensing board and employers' requirements.
2. Go For Expertly Written Online Courses
Many professionals in this field acknowledge the value of online courses in simplifying their learning. But online courses aren't all the same. Some are more "difficult" than others. And while state-approved courses should all contain the same content, how this content is presented often varies between providers.
The best course providers put in the work to make their courses easier to understand. RocketCert, for instance, optimises and narrates the entire course content through their expert tutors. That way, you won't have to struggle with an online course that only makes your studies complicated. So, before paying for an online course, check it to see what the providers have done to simplify it for you.
3. Divide the Course Into Small Study Portions
One of the major mistakes many professionals make is trying to complete the entire alcohol server training course at once. And even though it's possible to do that, it doesn't necessarily mean it's the best approach. Remember, your alcohol server training will cover different areas, including identification checks, responsible service, state laws, intoxication, and intervention techniques.
Trying to absorb these topics in one or two sittings can make the course feel unnecessarily difficult. That's why it is wise to treat the training like a series of short lessons. A practical way to do this is to complete one section, take a brief break, and only return when you are ready to concentrate again.
This approach also has a unique benefit that many people overlook. When you break the course into smaller portions, you get enough time to identify the subjects that are actually confusing. It's much easier to do this when the concepts are still fresh.
4. Start Studying as Early as You Can
One thing you must keep in mind about this process is that finishing your training doesn't necessarily mean you are ready for work. In most cases, you will have to complete additional steps after training, even though this depends on your state and provider. Such steps include taking a separate certification exam or obtaining the relevant permits after completing your course successfully.
This is why it's often a good idea to start the course before your first scheduled shift, if possible. If you are already employed, it will be wise to find out from your manager when your certification must be completed. That goes a long way towards helping you come up with the ideal study timeline. Whatever the case, starting early makes it easier to navigate, especially when technical issues come up.
Take Your First Step Today
After reading this post, it should be quite clear that completing your alcohol server training shouldn't feel like a major obstacle. Still, many professionals make the mistake of approaching it as something they simply need to rush through and pass.
That's why top-rated professional education providers like RocketCert are a great option if you are interested in completing your alcohol server training effortlessly. But don't take our word for it. Visit rocketcert.com today to experience it yourself.