ServSafe Alcohol study plan

ServSafe Alcohol · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Alcohol and the Law

Define the legal age for alcohol purchase, possession, and consumption and the key exceptions recognized in your jurisdiction
Identify the forms of acceptable ID and list the physical security features used to verify authenticity
Explain the penalties a server or establishment faces for serving a minor or an obviously intoxicated guest
Describe dram shop and third-party liability concepts in plain language

One-page ID-check reference card listing acceptable IDs, security features, and the refusal script you will use

Week 2

Distinguish the legal blood alcohol concentration limits for driving and for commercial drivers
Summarize the rules on serving hours, closing time, and removal of alcohol from the premises
List the situations in which a server must stop service by law
Explain the consequences of serving alcohol to someone already visibly intoxicated

Completed 20-question self-quiz on law and liability with a written correction note for every missed item

Week 3

Describe the standard drink sizes for beer, wine, and distilled spirits and calculate drink equivalents
Explain how body weight, food intake, gender, and time affect blood alcohol concentration
Identify the signs that signal a guest is approaching their limit
Outline the steps of a responsible service sequence from greeting to last call

Standard-drink conversion worksheet with ten worked examples and a written responsible-service checklist

Week 4

Demonstrate pacing techniques such as offering food, water, and non-alcoholic alternatives
Practice a refusal script for cutting off service and for denying service to a minor
Recognize the physical and behavioral indicators of intoxication in a written scenario
Explain how to document and report a refusal to a manager

Two role-play refusal scripts (minor and intoxicated guest) rehearsed aloud and written out in full

Week 5

Classify intoxication indicators into physical, behavioral, and speech categories
Describe how to assess a guest's condition without confrontation
Explain the role of tolerance and how it can mask impairment
Identify the signs of alcohol poisoning and the emergency response steps

Intoxication indicator checklist with at least fifteen observable signs and the corresponding response for each

Week 6

Describe intervention steps for a guest who refuses to stop drinking
Explain how to arrange safe transportation for an impaired guest
Identify the warning signs of a potentially violent situation and de-escalation techniques
List the steps for handling an underage guest who attempts to drink

Written incident-response flow covering refusal, transport, and escalation for three scenarios

Week 7

Describe procedures for handling fights, disturbances, and removal of a guest
Explain how to document an incident and notify the appropriate authorities
Identify the risks of serving alcohol to a guest who is already impaired by other substances
Summarize the establishment's policies on last call, closing, and clearing the premises

Completed incident report template filled out for two hypothetical problem situations

Week 8

Timed practice exam score of at least 80 percent with a written review of every missed question

Week 2: Score at least 80 percent on the law and liability self-quiz and correctly explain dram shop liability in your own words

Week 4: Deliver both refusal scripts from memory without referring to notes and correctly identify all listed intoxication indicators

Week 6: Complete the incident-response flow for all three scenarios with correct escalation steps

Week 8: Achieve at least 80 percent on the timed practice exam and show a written correction for every missed item