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Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) certification: Los Angeles restaurant guide

California ABC

What it is

Every on-premises alcohol server and manager must complete ABC-approved RBS training and pass the exam.

When a restaurant needs it

Any staff who pour, serve or manage alcohol service.

How to apply

Each server registers in ABC's RBS Portal, trains with an approved provider, and passes the online exam; you track servers through ABC Online Services.

Documents you’ll need

RBS Portal account per employee
Training completion from an accredited provider
Exam pass

Fee

Registration fee per server (see ABC RBS page)

Processing time

A few hours of training plus exam

Renewal

Every 3 years

Who files

Each server certifies individually; the licensee verifies.

Good to know

Servers and managers must be certified within 60 days of their first day of work; RBP covenants also require alcohol training within six months.

Official source

ABC — RBS training program

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Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.