Alcohol server training deadline extended to May 1

Servers and managers who have not yet completed an approved alcohol server training program as required under SC Code Section 61-3-120(B) now have until May 1, 2026 to complete training.

On Wednesday, March 4, the Senate passed Joint Resolution 5261 to extend the alcohol server training deadline to May 1, 2026, and the resolution was signed by the Governor on Monday, March 9.

As of March 9, the SCDOR has issued 39,361 alcohol server certificates.

Remember-You must complete one of the approved training programs listed on dor.sc.gov/abl-server-training if you:

• work 10 or more hours per week serving alcohol for on-premises consumption OR
• are a manager that oversees alcohol service

Approved trainings that meet the requirements of SC Code Section 61-3-120(B) are listed in their own section at the top of dor.sc.gov/abl-server-training.

Certification and penalties:

• Within two weeks of successfully completing training, a server's alcohol server certificate will be available for download at dor.sc.gov/AlcoholServerCertificate. You must have the server's name and server certificate number.
• Servers must maintain a digital or physical copy of their certificate with them while serving alcohol, and alcohol licensees must maintain on their premises a digital or physical copy of each server's certificate for the duration of the server's employment.
  • The penalty for allowing an individual who has not completed an approved alcohol server training program to serve alcohol for on-premises consumption is $500 per violation.
  • The penalty for failing to maintain or produce a copy of an alcohol server certificate is $100 per violation.

Stay connected

Alcohol licensees and servers can get this information delivered straight to their inbox by visiting dor.sc.gov/emails and subscribing to Alcohol Beverage Licensing News.

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MEDIA INQUIRES:

SCDOR Public Information Office

[email protected]