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The Florida Responsible Alcohol Vendor course for managers provides vital training on alcohol service management. Avoid liability by educating yourself and your staff about Florida laws that prevent underage drinking and alcohol-related incidents.

This 100% online course satisfies training requirements for Florida's Responsible Vendor Program and Florida statutes 561.705 and 561.706.

After completing your training, you will be prepared to:

  • Understand Florida laws governing alcohol sales and service
  • Develop standard operating procedures to prevent underage alcohol use
  • Explain how illicit drug use creates an unsafe work environment
  • Create policies for handling illicit drug use by patrons or employees
  • Identify intervention techniques for intoxicated patrons

Your training includes audio narration, interactive quizzes and a 20-question final exam. The course has no timers, and you can train 24/7 at your own pace. When you pass the exam, you can instantly download your Responsible Alcohol Vendor certificate.

Who Needs Responsible Alcohol Vendor Training?

Florida Responsible Vendor Training for Managers is designed for managers or owners of businesses that sell or serve alcoholic beverages. The course covers the responsibilities of alcohol service managers in Florida and best practices for safe alcohol service.

While responsible vendor training is not mandatory in Florida, it is required by employers who want to qualify or renew their status as a Responsible Alcohol Vendor under the Florida Responsible Vendor Act.

This act was created to teach managers and employees the basics of responsible alcohol service. The program helps prevent alcohol-related incidents in Florida and protects the business's alcohol license if an employee serves irresponsibly.

If you are an alcohol seller or server who doesn't manage others, our Florida Responsible Vendor Training for Employees course is the right training for you.

Benefits of Becoming a Florida Responsible Alcohol Vendor

By following the Florida Responsible Vendor Act's training requirements and guidelines for alcohol service, Florida establishments can be designated as Responsible Alcohol Vendors.

This status not only protects your business from liability, but also helps ensure your staff provides professional and responsible beverage service.

Responsible vendor training can:

  • Prevent alcohol sales to minors and intoxicated patrons
  • Reduce alcohol-related injuries and deaths
  • Help maintain a safe, professional staff that serves responsibly
  • Eliminate drug use in the workplace

If an employee violates a Florida alcohol law, your company's Responsible Alcohol Vendor status provides additional protection.

Protect Your Alcohol License

Alcohol license holders with Responsible Alcohol Vendor status are less likely to lose their license if an employee serves alcohol irresponsibly. This designation proves that your employees and managers were properly trained on safe serving practices.

Reduce Violation Fines

Violating Florida laws that prevent underage drinking and alcohol-related incidents can result in costly fines. Penalties for these violations may be reduced if your business is classified as a Responsible Alcohol Vendor.

Save on Liability Insurance

Businesses that successfully train their staff and maintain compliance with the Florida Responsible Vendor Act may receive a discount on liability insurance premiums. Check with your insurance provider to learn more and find out if your business qualifies.

Course Overview

The Florida Responsible Alcohol Vendor course for managers covers a wide range of topics related to safe alcohol service, including:

  • Management interventions for underage alcohol sales
  • Interventions for refusing service to intoxicated patrons
  • Dram shop laws and other beverage service laws
  • Effects of alcohol consumption on the body
  • Risks of selling alcohol to minors and intoxicated persons
  • Hiring, onboarding and training requirements of the Florida Responsible Vendor Act

The course is divided into six online modules:

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 course ends with a final exam that assesses the student's comprehension and understanding of all modules and course objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our Florida responsible vendor course.

Is this course mandatory for managers of alcohol servers in Florida?

No, Florida law does not require managers to take the responsible vendor course. However, your employer may tell you to complete this training to satisfy requirements of the Florida Responsible Vendor Act. Please confirm the standards for required or accepted alcohol training with your employer.

How soon do I need to complete the course after starting work?

If you are a manager and your employer requires responsible vendor training, you must complete the course within 15 days of starting employment. This is a requirement of the Florida Responsible Vendor Act.

How long does it take to finish the course?

The Florida Responsible Vendor course for managers takes about 4 hours to complete. There are no timers, so you can work on the course anytime on your own schedule.

Does the course have a final exam?

Yes. The course features end-of-module quizzes and a final exam. The minimum passing score for the quizzes and final exam is 70%, and you have an unlimited number of attempts to pass.

How quickly can I get my certificate of completion?

You can instantly download your certificate after completing the course and final exam. It typically takes 4 hours to complete this training.

How long is my Florida Responsible Vendor certificate valid?

Your certificate will remain valid for three years after the issue date.

What is the minimum age to sell alcohol in Florida?

Workers in Florida must be at least 18 years old to bartend or serve alcohol (beer, wine or spirits) on premises. There is no minimum age requirement for off-premises sales of beer or wine, but you must be at least 18 to sell spirits off premises.

How long do I have to complete the course?

You have 180 days to complete the course after purchasing. If you do not pass within this timeframe, you will need to re-register for the course.

Additional Links and Resources

Browse these resources for more information on safe serving laws and alcohol guidelines in Florida.

Fast, easy. I had to get a certificate to start my job ASAP, and I couldn't have found a more sufficient website. Thanks!

— Andrea M.

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