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Illinois State-Approved Courses

On-Premise BASSET Certification

Get state certified to serve alcohol that is consumed on-site. This course is designed for bartenders, managers and other on-premise alcohol servers. Includes instant certificate download and state-issued certification card.

Off-Premise BASSET Certification

Get certified to sell alcohol that is consumed off-site. This course is designed for cashiers and managers at liquor stores, grocery stores and similar businesses. Includes instant certificate and state-issued certification card.

Food Handler Training

Complete your state-approved food handler training 100% online. Accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). Instantly download your Illinois food handler certificate and wallet-sized food handler card after course completion.

Budtender Certification

Complete state-approved Responsible Vendor Training for budtenders and other cannabis industry employees. Approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Instantly download your certificate after completing the course.

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On- and Off-Premise Illinois BASSET Certification

Get state certified to sell alcohol at any licensed establishment with our BASSET certification course package. You'll receive official Illinois BASSET cards for on- and off-premise sales, allowing you to sell or serve alcohol at bars, restaurants, liquor stores, grocery stores and more.

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About Alcohol Seller-Server Training

Online alcohol seller-server training prepares employees to sell and serve alcohol responsibly. You'll learn about state alcohol laws and how to prevent illegal sales. Our on- and off-premise BASSET programs are approved by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC).

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About Budtender Certification

Our state-accepted Responsible Vendor Training courses prepare budtenders and dispensary employees to sell cannabis safely and legally. Earn your budtender certification online and fully satisfy state and employer training requirements for the cannabis industry.

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About Food Handler Training

Food handler training ensures workers know how to prepare and handle food safely. You'll learn about hygiene, sanitary workspaces and behaviors that help prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses. Satisfy state and employer training requirements 100% online.

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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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Frequently Asked Questions

Is BASSET Certification Required in Illinois?

As of July 1, 2018, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission requires all on-premise alcohol servers to complete seller-server training to earn their BASSET certification. This includes employees who work at bars, restaurants and other establishments where alcohol is purchased and consumed on-site.

Illinois does not currently require BASSET certification for employees of liquor stores, convenience stores or other retail stores where customers are not permitted to consume alcohol on-site. However, your employer or local municipality may still require you to complete off-premise BASSET training. Your employer can answer any questions about specific training requirements for your job.

Who Needs On-Premise BASSET Certification?

The state of Illinois requires employees of on-premise alcohol establishments to complete BASSET certification training. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission mandates that you earn an Illinois BASSET certification if you work at any location where alcohol is served by the drink for on-site consumption.

Workers who need on-premise BASSET may include:

  • Bartenders
  • Barbacks
  • Servers
  • Waiters
  • Managers
  • Hospitality workers

In addition to your initial Illinois BASSET training, the state requires you to complete recertification training every three years.

Who Needs Off-Premise BASSET Certification?

The state does not require employees at off-premise retail establishments, such as liquor stores, grocery stores and gas stations, to complete Illinois BASSET training. If you work at an establishment that sells alcohol to be consumed off-site, you are not legally required to earn a BASSET certification.

However, employers or local jurisdictions may set their own training standards and require you to complete training for off-premise alcohol sales. Be sure to ask your employer about specific training requirements for your role.

Is Food Handler Training Required in Illinois?

Yes. All Illinois workers classified as food handlers must complete ANAB-accredited food handler training. Food handlers are employees who work with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food contact surfaces.

Some individuals are exempt from food handler training, including unpaid volunteers and individuals with a valid Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification. You can learn more about training requirements for specific roles on the Illinois Department of Public Health website.

Who Needs Illinois Food Handler Certification?

All Illinois food handlers are required to complete ANAB-accredited food handler training and hold a valid food handler certificate.

This includes:

  • Restaurant workers
  • Kitchen employees
  • Cooks
  • Prep cooks
  • Chefs
  • Hosts and hostesses
  • Grocery store employees
  • Deli workers
  • Mobile food stand employees
  • And more

How Long is Food Handler Training Valid?

Your certificate from the ANAB-accredited food handler course will remain valid for three years after the issue date. The certificate will be valid throughout the state of Illinois unless an employer has a state-approved internal training program. Once your certificate has expired, you will need to retake the course.

Is Budtender Certification Required in Illinois?

According to the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act of 2019, Illinois requires cannabis industry employees to complete a cannabis Responsible Vendor Training course within 90 days of starting employment.

This training requirement applies to budtenders, dispensary employees and other workers who handle, sell or transport cannabis products in Illinois. In addition, cannabis workers must retake the course annually to maintain their certification.

What Are Illinois Budtender License Requirements?

To earn your Illinois budtender license and work in the cannabis industry, you must meet the following state requirements:

Illinois also requires current employees in the cannabis industry to retake the Responsible Vendor Training course each year.

Who Needs Cannabis Responsible Vendor Training?

The state of Illinois requires employees who handle, sell or transport cannabis to complete a state-approved Responsible Vendor Training course.

This includes:

  • Budtenders
  • Dispensary agents
  • Owners and managers
  • Transporters
  • Cannabusiness operators

Dispensary employees must complete their training within 90 days of starting employment. The state also requires annual retraining to ensure employees stay knowledgeable about state laws and important health and safety standards.