TABC-Approved Seller Server Training Programs hold significant importance for bars and restaurants when it comes to responsible alcohol service. These programs undergo thorough review and approval from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), ensuring they cover essential topics, provide comprehensive instruction, and require passing a competence test. Successful completion grants students a TABC-certified Seller Server Certificate, registered and verifiable with the TABC. Although not legally mandated, Seller Server Training plays a crucial role in promoting safe alcohol service, enabling establishments to invoke the Safe Harbor Defense and emphasizing the development of responsible alcohol service policies. By prioritizing these training programs, businesses contribute to a safer environment for their patrons and the community.
TABC-Approved Seller Server Training Programs
If you want your employees to take a course that provides training and helps achieve the Safe Harbor Defense, your employees must take TABC-approved seller server training courses.
The Safe Harbor Defense in Texas refers to a legal protection available to bar and restaurant owners who have taken certain steps to promote responsible alcohol service. Under specific circumstances, if an establishment's employee inappropriately serves alcohol to an intoxicated person or a minor, the Safe Harbor Defense can be invoked as a legal defense against liability.
For a Seller Server Training program to receive approval from the TABC, the training provider must submit their proposed curriculum, including online content screenshots, to the TABC for review.
The TABC ensures that the program covers all necessary topics outlined in the TABC Rules, provides approximately two hours of instruction, and requires students to pass the "Commission Standard Competence Test" to demonstrate their understanding of the material.
You can find a list of TABC-approved seller training programs on the TABC’s website.
Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a Seller Server Certificate bearing the official TABC seal and a unique certificate number. This certificate is registered with the TABC and can be verified using the student's date of birth and social security number.
Topics Covered in Seller Server Training Programs
The TABC has established a copyrighted "mandatory course curriculum" that approved Seller Server Training programs must follow. This curriculum includes fourteen key topics that educate employees on responsible alcohol service. Some of the topics covered are:
Definition of intoxication
Laws regarding intoxicated persons
Laws regarding minors
Proper identification requirements
Techniques for detecting intoxication, minors, and improper identification
Monitoring customer behavior
Understanding the effects of alcohol based on various factors
Awareness of alcohol poisoning
Intervention strategies for addressing intoxication and minors
Sanctions for employee violations
Any other relevant topics identified by the Commission, considering developments in the law, society, and the alcoholic beverage industry.
The TABC periodically reviews this curriculum, seeking input from the alcoholic beverage industry through work groups, and approves revisions as necessary.
The Importance of Seller Server Training
Seller Server Training plays a crucial role in promoting safe alcohol service. Texas law recognizes that bar and restaurant operators have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the public and, under certain circumstances, holds them legally and financially accountable for failing to meet this responsibility. Requiring Seller Server Training as a prerequisite to the Safe Harbor Defense serves as a means to encourage operators to take alcohol service seriously and protect the well-being of their patrons.
Furthermore, requiring employees to attend TABC-approved Seller Server Training is one of the necessary steps for bar and restaurant owners to invoke the Safe Harbor Defense. This defense can be utilized under specific circumstances when an owner faces legal action due to inappropriate alcohol service by an employee. By implementing Seller Server Training, owners demonstrate their commitment to responsible alcohol service and establish a legal defense should an incident occur.
Developing Responsible Alcohol Service Policies
Creating policies for responsible alcohol service is not a one-size-fits-all approach. However, there are some best practices to consider when developing these policies:
Include the policies in onboarding paperwork and have employees sign to acknowledge their understanding.
Incorporate the policies into initial employee training to ensure comprehension.
Regularly remind employees of the responsible alcohol service policies during meetings.
Maintain employee files, including valid Seller Server Certificates, to ensure compliance.
Document breaches of policies and subsequent disciplinary actions to demonstrate commitment and accountability.
Avoid offering rewards or incentives for selling alcoholic beverages to prevent policy violations and prioritize responsible service over sales goals.
Seller Server Training, although not mandated by law, serves as a crucial tool in promoting responsible alcohol service. By participating in TABC-approved programs, employees gain essential knowledge about topics such as intoxication, identification, intervention, and customer behavior monitoring.
Bar and restaurant owners can also benefit from implementing Seller Server Training as it enables them to invoke the Safe Harbor Defense, protecting them from liability in certain circumstances. Additionally, developing and reinforcing responsible alcohol service policies further ensures the safety of the public and mitigates risks associated with intoxicated individuals. By prioritizing responsible alcohol service, establishments can create a safer environment for their patrons and contribute to the overall well-being of the community.
Still have questions about seller server training for your employees? Need help assessing your liquor liability exposure? Book a consultation with Ashley.
Disclaimer: Nothing in our articles or on our website is legal advice and should not be taken as such. Please address all legal questions to your counsel.
