Contacting a Special Agent

Virginia ABC special agents are your primary resource for all questions related to operating a licensed establishment. Your special agent will visit your business during the application process. The special agent will typically visit again within 90 days of the license being issued, and then annually thereafter.

Special agents can help managers, sellers and servers understand rules that govern alcohol sales and consumption in Virginia, explain requirements of operating an ABC-licensed business, help prevent intoxicated and underage customers, document alcohol-related incidents, use advertising properly and check IDs correctly. Special agents can also suggest training programs and resources offered by Virginia ABC that would be beneficial.

Get to know your special agent, and keep the special agent’s contact information handy. If you have a question or need to clarify details about a Virginia Law or regulation, ask. Your special agent is there to be a resource and is happy to answer questions anytime you have them, not just during an annual visit. It’s to your benefit to proactively work with Virginia ABC to prevent issues or problems.

Notify your special agent if you had to call law enforcement for any reason (fight in your business, caught someone using a fake ID, etc.). A special agent would rather hear about the incident from the licensee than other law enforcement organization.

Visit the Virginia ABC Bureau of Law Enforcement regional office page to find contact information for your special agent.

Revised August 3, 2017