Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training program

Standardized Training for Alcohol and Tobacco Retailers (STAR Training)

Ask ABC (email your questions here)

***********ATTENTION ON-SALE ABC RETAILERS ***********

The Responsible Beverage Service Training Act requires employees of On-Sale ABC licensed premises, with on premise consumption of alcoholic beverages, to complete the new Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training and be certified by August 31, 2022.

The following ABC license types have on-premises privileges:

Type 1, 2, 3, 4, 23, 40, 31, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 80, 83, 86,87, 88,99.

ABC retailers and their employees can find additional information and a list of RBS Training providers by going to the ABC website (abc.ca.gov). Since this is a State mandate, RBS Training will supersede all local training requirements. RBS Training will satisfy CUB/CUP requirements for the City of Los Angeles On-Sale ABC retailers.

RBS training does not apply to Off-Sale retail establishments. STAR Training will continue to be offered to Off-Sale retailers.

The STAR program also contains important information regarding the retail sales of tobacco and Penal Code Section 308 (a) – Sales of Tobacco to Persons under 21.

The instructors from Operation ABC are subject matter experts that teach STAR on a weekly basis and they also engage in active field enforcement of ABC and tobacco related laws. The presentation includes in-depth discussions about the following topics:

*Recognizing and dealing with obviously intoxicated people
*How the police use minor under 21 as part of the Minor Decoy program
*ABC inspections conducted by law enforcement
*How to ID those who want to drink or buy tobacco products
*Fake ID recognition
*The Responsible ABC Retailer Program
*Smoking/Vaping laws at ABC locations
*Other issues pertaining to On and Off Sale ABC locations

We also offer STAR Training classes via the ZOOM Application. If you are interested in taking a STAR Training course via ZOOM or in person, the business will be responsible for complying with all Covid-19 protocols. Please contact the below listed individuals via E-mail:

Sergeant Nollner: 30367@lapd.online

(Last Updated August 28, 2023)

STAR FAQ's

Operation ABC conducts Zoom and private presentations. Private presentations are usually conducted at the retailers’ premise, and normally closed to the general public.

A normal presentation is between 1 ½ to 2 hours.

STAR training is a FREE service provided by members of the LAPD. Many employers choose to pay their employees for attending as part of their work day.

Most STAR presentations are conducted in English. However, throughout the year several presentations are given in Spanish and Korean. Check the “special notations” listed under the upcoming training dates for foreign language alerts.

Some criminal courts have ordered employees who have been cited/arrested for ABC violations to attend STAR training as part of their probation, or as part of the disposition of their criminal case. Employees are welcome to attend a public STAR presentation and will receive proof of attendance to present in court.

Yes. As of April 2016, Operation ABC will issue certificates as proof of attendance. Attendees at a STAR presentation will be asked to sign-in on a roster and provide an email address. A certificate of attendance will then be sent via email to the employee within a few days.

Note: It is the employee’s responsibility to provide a copy of the certificate to the employer in order to show proof of attendance. This certificate can be shown to additional employers if the employee works at multiple ABC locations.

Certificates expire 18 months from date of issuance. Since ABC rules and regulations frequently change, it is recommended that you and your staff attend the training on a yearly basis.

Operation ABC will maintain your certificate of attendance on file for a period of 2 years. After that, you will have to attend a new presentation for certification. If you need a new email version of your certification please call (213) 486-0910.

Yes. After your employees have attended a STAR presentation they will receive certificates of attendance via email. As an employer it is your responsibility to gather the certificates from your employees and provide proof of attendance to the Department of City Planning / Zoning, if required by your CUP /CUB.
Note: LAPD will not forward certificates of attendance to Zoning.