Here’s a question from Megan that I get all too often:

“In most states, don’t you need a bartending license? How are you supposed to get that without taking the actual class?”

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Here’s my answer:

Hello Megan,

Although we’re all led to believe otherwise, there is no such thing as a “bartender licence” or “bartender certification” that’s required by law for you to bartend. Yes, schools give you a certificate upon completion of their course, but it’s not needed to legally tend bar.

Depending on where you live, there may be a law requiring you to take an “alcohol awareness” certification program before you can legally serve alcohol. But this is government regulated and can be obtained for a fraction of the cost of a bartending school tuition.

My first bartending job was landed not because of a bartending certificate. That’s the last thing employers look for.

Jeremy Sherk