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Register today for Virginia ABC’s FREE licensee training! For your convenience we offer two licensee responsibility courses—Responsible Sellers & Servers: Virginia’s Program (RSVP) and Managers’ Alcohol Responsibility Training (MART) to assist businesses in shouldering their many responsibilities for maintaining a safe and regulated operation, which include preventing underage sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages. The classes were designed to support sellers and servers in understanding the facts of alcohol education and prevention and Virginia ABC’s laws and regulation. The trainings provide the participants the tools and knowledge needed to be successful and compliant.
Seller and Server Training
Virginia ABC is dedicated to educating our licensees, which is why we offer free training to help managers, sellers and servers to become more responsible and better understand ABC laws, rules and regulations.
Responsible Sellers & Servers: Virginia’s Program
Trainings are held regionally and conducted by Virginia ABC special agents to help alcohol sellers and servers in licensed establishments become more responsible and to better understand Virginia laws, rules and regulations.
Managers’ Alcohol Responsibility Training
Trainings are held regionally and conducted by Virginia ABC special agents to help managers and owners of licensed establishments become more responsible and to better understand Virginia laws, rules and regulations.
Seller/Server Training Approval Program (STAP)
Pursuant to COV 4.1-227(E), STAP reviews and approves alcohol seller and server training programs external to Virginia ABC for approved use by licensed establishments in Virginia.
Additional Resources
Virginia ABC is pleased to offer alcohol delivery safety and responsibility training resources for licensees and delivery drivers.
When selling alcohol or nicotine products, make it a top priority to focus on customers and make sure they are not underage.
If you are unsure whether an ID is valid, do not sell alcoholic beverages. Follow best practices for determining ID validity.
Looking for guidance about happy hour advertising, preventing underage sales or other licensee issues? Visit the retail licensee resources section, designed to support licensed establishments in understanding and following Virginia's ABC laws and regulations.
Looking for VAL Training?
The Virginia ABC Licensing (VAL) System enables licensees to complete online transactions on behalf of their business. After creating an account and syncing your licenses, you can complete licensing tasks, financial transactions and track your required training all from the convenience of your computer. Our VAL Training page provides assistance in getting set up and using the system
Sign up for the Licensee e-newsletter to stay informed about selling and serving alcohol in Virginia.
Need Help?
Special agents are the primary resource for questions related to operating a business with an ABC license. Contact a special agent via your regional ABC office.Licensing Wizard
For step-by-step assistance in determining the license or permit that you need, see our Licensing Wizard.
Training
Virginia ABC offers free online training to help managers, sellers and servers to become more responsible and better understand ABC laws, rules and regulations. For more information, contact Education and Prevention, (804) 977-7440 or education@virginiaabc.com.
The Advantages of Training
The Virginia code provides for a reduction in the length of any suspension and a reduction in the amount of any civil penalty for any retail licensee where the licensee can demonstrate that it provided to its employees alcohol server or seller training certified in advance by Virginia ABC (COV §4.1-227).
Training Approval Program
Learn how to submit your training program for approval. If your business conducts its own alcohol server training course, you can have it approved by Virginia ABC, pursuant to COV 4.1-227(E). Once approved, it will be your responsibility to keep your program updated with changes to Virginia's codes and regulations, and to maintain all records of training classes conducted.
