CA Alcohol Server flashcards
CA Alcohol Server · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- RBS certificate validity
- A California RBS certificate remains valid for three years from the date the exam is passed, after which the server must complete retraining and pass the exam again.
- RBS exam passing score
- The RBS exam must be passed with a minimum score of 80 percent. A failed attempt may be retaken after the required waiting period set by the training provider.
- Server certification deadline
- New alcohol servers must obtain RBS certification within 60 days of being hired. Managers must be certified before performing manager duties.
- RBS training hours
- California requires at least four hours of RBS training for servers and at least eight hours for managers, completed through an ABC-accredited provider.
- Certification recordkeeping
- Employers must keep records of each employee's RBS certification and provide them to ABC upon request during inspections or investigations.
- Acceptable ID types
- Valid state driver licenses or ID cards, US passports and passport cards, military IDs, and foreign passports are acceptable proof of age. Expired IDs are not acceptable.
- Check ID under 30
- Staff must check identification for any patron who appears to be under 30 years old before serving or selling alcohol on the premises.
- Vertical license meaning
- A vertically oriented state driver license or ID card indicates the holder is under 21 and therefore may not be served alcohol.
- ID tampering signs
- Peeling laminate, mismatched fonts, altered dates, and photos that do not match the patron are signs of a fake or altered identification card.
- Furnishing to minor
- Selling or furnishing alcohol to a person under 21 is a misdemeanor in California and can lead to ABC discipline against the licensee.
- Standard drink equivalence
- A standard drink is 12 ounces of beer at 5 percent, 5 ounces of wine at 12 percent, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits at 40 percent alcohol.
- Alcohol elimination rate
- The body eliminates alcohol at roughly one standard drink per hour. Serving faster than that rate causes blood alcohol concentration to rise.
- Intoxication signs
- Slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, poor coordination, slowed reactions, and loud or aggressive behavior are common visible signs of intoxication.
- Food and BAC
- Food and water slow alcohol absorption but do not lower blood alcohol concentration already present. Only time reduces BAC.
- BAC influencing factors
- Body weight, sex, food intake, medications, and drinking rate all affect blood alcohol concentration, so tolerance cannot be judged from appearance.
- Refusal documentation
- Staff should record refused service, including time and reason, and notify the manager. Documentation supports the licensee during ABC investigations.
- Legal drinking age
- The minimum legal drinking age in California is 21. Sale or furnishing of alcohol to anyone under 21 is prohibited except limited legal exceptions.
- Legal service hours
- Licensed premises may not sell alcohol between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Service must stop at 2:00 a.m. each day.
- Serving intoxicated person
- Selling alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person is a misdemeanor in California and can result in fines, license suspension, or revocation.
- Adult DUI limit
- Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher is illegal for adults. The limit is 0.01 percent for drivers under 21.
- Required posted signs
- Licensees must post required signs, including warnings about drinking during pregnancy and the prohibition on selling alcohol to minors.
- ABC decoy operations
- ABC enforcement may use undercover officers and minor decoys to test compliance with age and intoxication laws at licensed premises.
- Licensee liability
- Licensees may be held liable for injuries caused by an intoxicated patron served on the premises, including harm to third parties.
- Display of license
- A licensee must maintain a current ABC license and display it prominently on the premises where it can be seen by patrons and inspectors.
- Staff training duty
- Licensees must train staff on ID checking, refusal procedures, and intervention, and must document that training for ABC review.
- Premises safety duty
- Licensees must maintain a safe environment through adequate lighting, security, and crowd control to prevent injuries and violations.
- ABC inspection cooperation
- Licensees must cooperate with ABC inspections and may not obstruct or interfere with enforcement officers performing their duties.
- Calm private approach
- Intervene early and privately, using a neutral tone and avoiding confrontation in front of other patrons to reduce escalation risk.
- Offer alternatives
- Before refusing service, offer water, food, or a non-alcoholic beverage as alternatives to slow consumption and reduce impairment.
- Team intervention
- Notify the manager or security staff during a refusal, and use a team approach to manage the situation and document the incident.
- Safe transportation
- Arrange a taxi, rideshare, or sober friend for an impaired patron, and never allow an intoxicated person to drive home.
- Incident documentation
- Record the time, description, actions taken, and witnesses for each intervention to support the licensee's records and ABC compliance.