Who Needs Responsible Alcohol Vendor Training?
Florida Responsible Vendor training is designed for workers and managers at establishments that sell alcoholic beverages. This includes staff members who sell alcohol on- and off-premises at bars and nightclubs, restaurants, package stores, supermarkets and more.
- Bartenders
- Waiters
- Cashiers
- Bar and restaurant managers
- Assistant managers
- Sommeliers and wine servers
- Hospitality workers
- Catering workers
- Event organizers
- Other workers in alcohol sales
All alcohol seller-servers and their managers should be properly trained to prevent alcohol-related incidents. A knowledgeable team that is committed to responsible alcohol service plays a critical role in preventing accidents and protecting the business from costly lawsuits.
What Is the Responsible Vendor Program?
Responsible Vendor Training is a voluntary program that protects alcohol vendors in the event of illegal sales to minors or intoxicated patrons. The goal of the program is to improve compliance with Florida alcohol laws, reduce DUI fatalities and prevent underage drinking.
Under the Florida Responsible Vendor Act and Florida statutes 561.705 and 561.706, alcohol vendors can earn the status of Responsible Alcohol Vendor. To qualify, vendors must train their employees and managers on responsible beverage service and maintain training records for all active employees.
Benefits of Responsible Vendor Training
Businesses that successfully complete Responsible Vendor Training and maintain compliance with the Florida Responsible Vendor Act can earn the designation of Responsible Alcohol Vendor. This status provides a number of benefits to business owners and employees.
Professional and Responsible Staff
Training employees and managers on responsible alcohol service benefits both workers and business owners. The program teaches vital skills to servers and protects the business from the consequences of reckless serving practices.
Liability Protection
If an employee illegally sells alcohol to a minor, you could risk losing your alcohol license. However, Responsible Alcohol Vendors are better protected when defending their business from alcohol violations.
Reduced Fines
Because Responsible Alcohol Vendors can prove all employees were properly trained on safe serving practices, fines related to underage drinking and alcohol-related incidents are often reduced.
Lower Insurance Rates
If your business is a Responsible Alcohol Vendor, you could save money on your liability insurance premiums. Contact your business's insurance provider to find out if you qualify.
Course Overview
The Florida Responsible Alcohol Vendor course trains workers and managers to sell alcoholic beverages safely and responsibly. You'll learn how best practices in serving can help save lives, eliminate underage drinking and protect your employer from liability.
The employee course features five online modules on responsible alcohol service. The manager version of the course includes the same modules and an additional section on managerial duties.
Course modules include:
1. Responsible Alcohol Service
Learning objectives for this module include:
- Define terms associated with the legal sale of alcoholic beverages
- Discuss the legal responsibilities of seller-servers
- Describe underage drinking laws in Florida
- Explain the legal consequences of impaired driving
Topics covered in this module include:
- Alcoholic beverage service definitions
- Establishment responsibilities
- Underage drinking laws in Florida
- Impaired driving laws in Florida
- Controlled substance laws in Florida
- Violating alcohol service laws
2. Alcohol and the Human Body
Learning objectives for this module include:
- Identify common alcoholic beverages and standard drink sizes
- Estimate the blood alcohol level (BAL) of patrons
- Describe the long-term health effects of alcohol abuse
Topics covered in this module include:
- Types of alcoholic beverages
- Blood alcohol level
- What is a standard drink?
- Calculating blood alcohol level
- Binge drinking and alcohol poisoning
- Alcohol's effects on the body and mind
3. Minors and Alcohol Sales
Learning objectives for this module include:
- Identify potential minors by appearance and behavior
- Recognize types of identification that are legally valid for age verification
- Demonstrate the three-step process for checking identification
- Describe intervention techniques for preventing alcohol sales to minors
Topics covered in this module include:
- Characteristics of minors
- Checking identification
- When to check ID
- Valid forms of ID
- Three-step process for checking ID
- Characteristics of forged IDs
- Refusing alcohol service
4. Intoxicated Persons
Learning objectives for this module include:
- Classify the stages and signs of intoxication
- Determine when a patron is likely intoxicated by observing appearance and behavior
- Discuss how combining drugs and alcohol affects a person's intoxication level
- Describe practical intervention techniques for restricting alcohol service to intoxicated persons
Topics covered in this module include:
- Signs and stages of intoxication
- On- and off-premises intoxication
- Other factors related to intoxication
- Drink tampering
- Refusing alcohol service
- Designated drivers
5. Controlled Substances
Learning objectives for this module include:
- Identify types of controlled substances
- Understand the effects of combining drugs and alcohol
- Explain the short- and long-term consequences of drug abuse
- Describe drug abuse intervention techniques for patrons and workers
Topics covered in this module include:
- Types of controlled substances
- Alcohol and drug mixing
- Consequences of drug abuse
- Refusing alcohol service
- Employee drug abuse
6. Managerial Duties
Learning objectives for this module include:
- Determine if a business complies with Florida seller-server laws
- Discuss best practices for preventing alcohol sales to minors
- Select appropriate interventions when employees or customers abuse controlled substances
- Develop onboarding and recordkeeping requirements that comply with Florida law
Topics covered in this module include:
- Licensing and establishment laws
- Drug-free workplaces
- Management interventions
- Employee management
The employee and manager courses both end with a final exam that assesses the student's comprehension and understanding of all modules and course objectives.
