NCRLA Offers Free Responsible Alcohol Service Training During Alcohol Awareness Month

In recognition of Alcohol Awareness Month the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association has partnered with the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission’s Initiative to Reduce Underage Drinking, Talk it Out NC, to offer complimentary online responsible alcohol service training to hospitality industry employees across the state.

“Every day, servers on the front line make crucial decisions that put responsible alcohol service to the test,” said NCRLA President and CEO Lynn Minges. “The goal of this project is to help ensure employees make thoughtful decisions and carefully follow the law when serving alcohol. Keeping patrons safe and alcohol out of the hands of minors is a top priority for restaurant and hotel operators and we are proud to partner with the NC ABC Commission on this initiative.”

The training will provide hospitality employees the skills needed to effectively and safely handle difficult situations including recognizing and preventing intoxication, and properly checking for identification to reduce underage alcohol consumption. Though not required by North Carolina law, it is ideal for all bartenders, servers, hosts, bussers, valets, bouncers and all front-of-house staff within a business to be certified.

NCRLA is offering this online training free of charge for a limited time. Each course, and affiliated exam, is a $30 value, and is offered in both English and Spanish. The certification, upon exam passage, is valid for three years.

“The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission takes the responsibility of selling alcohol very seriously,” said NC ABC Commission Chairman Zander Guy. “This ServSafe training program grant has created a great opportunity for us to partner with the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association on our joint goal of helping businesses thrive by empowering them with knowledge about alcohol laws and regulations.”

Funding to promote and offer the responsible alcohol training statewide was provided through a grant awarded to NCRLA by the NC ABC Commission and the National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association.

To learn more about the complimentary online alcohol responsibility service training or to register, visit www.ncrla.org/servsafe-alcohol-training/complimentary-servsafe-alcohol-course/.