What is an alcohol certification card in Alaska?

An alcohol certification card verifies that you’ve completed Alaska-approved alcohol server training.

Does Alaska law require alcohol server training?

Yes. Alaska requires servers of alcoholic beverages, their supervisors, and security personnel in licensed businesses to complete approved alcohol server training. Licensees are also required to complete training, regardless of how involved they are in the business.

The training must be completed within 30 days of employment for new hires, unless you work in Anchorage. Anchorage requires your training to be taken before you start your job.

Only individuals working in rural areas can take online training. Everyone else needs to complete their training online.

Alaska law requires servers to keep their alcohol certification card on their person while working.

How do I get my Alaska alcohol certification card?

Most Alaskans will need to complete an in-person course.

Please note, Learn2Serve alcohol server training is NOT valid in Alaska. Neither are most other online training providers.

How long does alcohol server training last?

Your alcohol server training expires three years after the issue date.

Why should I take Alaska alcohol server training?

First of all, the state-specific, state-approved course is required by law in Alaska.

Additionally, the Alaska Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) imposes harsh penalties for serving minors under the age of 21 alcoholic beverages. Violators face up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Penalties increase to five years in prison or $50,000 if the minor seriously injures another person or if it's a second offense.

Alcohol server training also helps you keep customers safe from drunk driving in Alaska. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 222 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver in Alaska from 2003 to 2012. That's fewer than in more populous states, but still far too many.

What jobs can I get with my alcohol certification card?

There are many different establishments you can work at with your alcohol certification card, such as:

  • Bars
  • Restaurants
  • Hotels
  • Caterers and event spaces
  • And more…

Training is required for jobs where you serve alcohol, supervise those that do, or provide security for establishments licensed for alcohol service.

And if you’re curious about how much money you can expect to make, here is some basic wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for bartenders and barbacks in Alaska.

Job Title Average Hourly Wage Average Yearly Wage
Bartender $13.55 $28,180
Bartender Helper (Barback) $11.99 $24,940

However, if you are in the top 90th percentile of bartenders, you can make much more money: $18.39 an hour.

Where can I get more information about alcohol training in Alaska?

You can find more information on AMCO’s website, including:

  • Approved course providers for server training
  • Who qualifies for rural online server training
  • Alaska's alcohol statutes and regulations

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