ServSafe Alcohol FAQ's

Alcohol Server Training

  • All licensed clerks, servers and bartenders must be trained by May 1, 2011.
  • After January 1, 2011 new employees who do not already have a training certificate will have 120 days to complete training.
  • Training is required every 3 years for licensed employees.
  • Training must be from an Indiana Certified Trainer using a certified program.
  • Servers are issued a Training Certificate at the end of the class by the instructor.
  • Training is NOT tied to the Employee permit issued by the ATC.  Servers may obtain their “liquor license” in the same manner as always.

Owner Responsibilities

  • Owners or their representative must also attend a server or trainer program within 120 days of their permit renewal.  This can encompass all permits owned by one person, corporation, or LLC.  The date used is the permit that renews earliest in the year.
  • Training is required every five years for owners or their representative.
  • The Owner shall complete a Certification of Owner/Manager Attendance which will be signed and sent to the ATC by the Trainer for the Permit file.
     
  • Owners are required to ensure that all employees receive training.  Owners are not necessarily required to provide the training.
     
    • You may provide the training using an In-House Trainer.  You may choose to provide the training, or you may charge the employee your cost, but you must also pay employees for a mandatory meeting.  Providing the training gives you the opportunity to include company policy in the program and make sure your employees receive the same quality training.
       
    • You may require employees to obtain the training on their own by the deadline.  You can also choose to only hire employees who receive the training prior to employment.  With this option, you may not require employees to attend a specific training program, loosing the opportunity for consistent training.
       
  • Owners must keep a record of employees training (whether trained in-house or by a third party) by maintaining a log or copy of the employee training certificate.

Choosing a Training Program

Training must be from an Indiana Certified Trainer using a certified program.

ServSafe Alcohol®

Your association recommends ServSafe Alcohol®.  This is a quality program developed by the National Restaurant Association.  ServSafe Alcohol® delivers much more than just information about the law.  It combines critical information, exclusive tools and real-world resources to transform knowledge into action. It features practical knowledge and best-in-class resources that help prepare and protect every operation every day.

We believe this training offers the best tools to turn servers into responsible sellers of alcohol.  

We offer Train the Trainer programs you can use in-house, private training for 20 or more employees, and public classes throughout the state.

More information on ServSafe Alcohol classes can be found at www.indianarestaurants.org

Other Third Party Trainers

The State program is offered by the Excise free at limited locations.  The classes fill up quickly.  This program is also available by third party training providers for a fee.  Typical fees by Third Party Providers is $15-$30/person. 

BEWARE when using a Third Party provider as many have gotten into the business to make money.  They don’t know the law, they don’t know the industry, they offer very little for the investment. One such company plays off the ServSafe Alcohol program by calling themselves “Safe Servers” of Indiana.  This is NOT our recommended program. We have received numerous comments about this company and confusion people thinking they are receiving ServSafe®.

In-House Trainers

If you choose to become an Indiana Certified Trainer, or designate someone to train your employees, the trainer must meet some pre-qualifications.

Prior to acting as a certified trainer, a person shall:

  • have prior experience in conducting educational or training classes;
  • be employed or retained by a training provider or in-house training provider; and hold a certified trainer certificate

The ServSafe Alcohol® Train the Trainer offered by the Indiana Restaurant Association includes Indiana specific laws, as well as all the requirements to become a ServSafe Alcohol® Instructor.  These classes can be found at www.indianarestaurants.org

Note to current ServSafe Alcohol Instructors

If you are currently a ServSafe Alcohol Instructor, you must still become certified to teach in Indiana.  Our Trainer class includes Indiana requirements. This is an opportunity to share with other ServSafe Alcohol instructors, and meet the state requirements.

For more information on ServSafe Alcohol® Server Training and Train the Trainer programs, contact:

Debbie Scott
Indiana Restaurant Association
 200 S Meridian St, Suite 350
Indianapolis, IN  46225
 317.673.4211 or toll free 800.678.1957
dscott at LMVconsulting dot com