Operator FAQ

• 1. Why do my employees who sell or serve alcohol need to be certified?

  With the passage of SB29, “Responsible Sales and Service Act”, it is now the law. The Montana Legislature passed this act as part of the effort to reduce DUI’s in Montana.

• 2. Who needs to get certified?

  All supervisors and employees who sell or serve alcohol in Montana.

• 3. When does the law take effect?

  October 1, 2011. All existing employees who serve alcohol need to be certified by a state approved program by October 1.

• 4. What about new hires after October 1, 2011?

  All new hires after October 1, 2011 have 60 days from the date of hire to get certified.

• 5. How do my employees get certified?

  Two ways; ServSafe Alcohol® Online or by taking one of our scheduled ServSafe Alcohol classes.

• 6. How much does it cost?

  The ServSafe Alcohol Online Course costs $25 for Montana Restaurant Association members or $30 for non-members.

  The MRA ServSafe Alcohol classes cost $40 per person and will be offered throughout the state.

• 7. Where can I find a class?

  Classes are available both online and in a classroom setting. If you are interested in taking a class online click here.

• 8. Who pays for the certification?

  The new law mandates that all employees who sell or serve alcohol be certified, thus it can be considered a condition of employment and the employee should pay. Furthermore, the certificate stays with the employee, even if they leave your employment, so the certificate belongs to the employee.

• 9. As the employer, can I pay for my employee’s certificates if I want to?

  Yes, you can. The law allows some flexibility. Some employers may decide to pay for all employees as of October 1, 2011 and require all new hires to pay for it themselves after that date. Some employers may decide to reimburse employees after a certain period of time. Some employers may decide to require their employees to get certified and pay for it themselves regardless of when they started working.

• 10. How long is the certificate good for?

  Three years from the date of issuance.

• 11. My employees got certified already with another course, is it still good?

  Yes, as long as the course was approved the state of Montana, the certificate is good for three years from the date of issuance.

• 12. My employee was trained in another state, is it still good?

  Yes, as long as the course was approved the state of Montana, the certificate is good for three years from the date of issuance.

• 13. What are the approved programs in Montana?

  The approved programs are ServSafe Alcohol, TiPS, Let’s Control It, and TAMs.

• 14. Why should my employees get certified with ServSafe Alcohol?

  ServSafe Alcohol was designed by the National Restaurant Association, the restaurant industry’s leader in food safety and responsible alcohol training.

• 15. I operate a grocery store, what is my requirement under the new law?

  All clerks who sell alcohol must be certified.

• 16. How do I get my clerks certified?

  Online or attend one of our scheduled classes.

• 17. Why do my grocery clerks take TiPS?

  TiPS has a special online module designed specifically for the off-premise sale of alcohol.

• 18. How much does TiPS cost?

  TiPS costs MRA members $30 and non-members pay $40.

• 19. How do I know if my employees have been trained within the last 3 years?

  They will have a certificate or wallet card from the approved program showing the date of training.

• 20. Do distributors need to train their employees?

  No. Wholesale businesses are not required to train their employees. The law addresses retail and manufacturing (brewers) establishments only.

• 21. Why did the Montana Legislature pass the Responsible Sales and Service Act?

  The Legislature passed a number of bills to try to curb the DUI problem. It was felt that this act would help reduce the incidence of DUI’s by teaching servers, bartenders and those who sell alcohol for off-premise consumption, how to avoid serving minors and how to avoid serving intoxicated people. (See Section 2 of the law.)

  Many insurance companies are now offering discounts for their liability insurance if employees are trained and certified.

• 22. How will the State know if my employees are certified to serve or sell alcohol?

  There will be a box on your annual licensee renewal (issued by the Department of Revenue each year) in which you will certify that all of your employees are trained. (See Section 4 of the Law by clicking here.)

• 23. What happens if my employees are not certified?

  You can be fined $50 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense and $350 for the third offense. Plus, each offense is treated as a strike against your license, similar to serving a minor. (See Section 4 of the law.)

Employee FAQ

• 1. Why do I need to be certified?

  With the passage of SB29, “Responsible Sales and Service Act”, it is now the law. The Montana Legislature passed this act as part of the effort to reduce DUI’s in Montana.

• 2. Who needs to get certified?

  All supervisors and employees who sell or serve alcohol in Montana.

• 3. When does the law take effect?

  October 1, 2011. All existing employees who serve alcohol need to be certified by a state approved program by October 1.

• 4. What if I’m hired after October 1, 2011?

  All new hires after October 1, 2011 have 60 days from the date of hire to get certified.

• 5. How do I get certified?

  Two ways; ServSafe Alcohol Online or by taking one of our scheduled ServSafe Alcohol classes.

• 6. How much does it cost?

  The ServSafe Alcohol Online Course costs $25 for Montana Restaurant Association members or $30 for non-members.

• 7. Who pays for the certification?

  The new law mandates that all employees who sell or serve alcohol be certified, thus it can be considered a condition of employment and the employee should pay. Furthermore, the certificate stays with the employee, even if they leave your employment, so the certificate belongs to the employee.

• 8. Can my employer pay for my certificate?

  Yes, they can. The law allows some flexibility. Some employers may decide to pay for all employees as of October 1, 2011 and require all new hires to pay for it themselves after that date. Some employers may decide to reimburse employees after a certain period of time. Some employers may decide to require their employees to get certified and pay for it themselves regardless of when they started working.

• 9. How long is the certificate good for?

  Three years from the date of issuance.

• 10. I’ve already been certified with another course, is it still good?

  Yes, as long as the course was approved the state of Montana, the certificate is good for three years from the date of issuance.

• 11. I was trained in another state, is it still good?

  Yes, as long as the course was approved the state of Montana, the certificate is good for three years from the date of issuance.

• 12. What are the approved programs in Montana?

  The approved programs are ServSafe Alcohol, TiPS, Let’s Control It, and TAMs.

• 13. Why should I get certified with ServSafe Alcohol?

  ServSafe Alcohol was designed by the National Restaurant Association, the restaurant industry’s leader in food safety and responsible alcohol service training.

• 14. How will my employer know I have been trained within the last 3 years?

  You will have a certificate or wallet card from the approved program showing the date of training.

• 15. I lost my server card. How do I obtain another copy?

  1. CLICK on “SCORES” at the top of the page

  2. CLICK “Check My Scores”

  3. CHOOSE the type of exam “Online”

  4. CLICK “View or Print Certificate

  Contact the National Restaurant Association’s Service Center at servicecenter@restaurant.org or (800) 765-2122

• 16. Why did the Montana Legislature pass the Responsible Sales and Service Act?

  Many insurance companies are now offering discounts for their liability insurance if employees are trained and certified.

  The Legislature passed a number of bills to try to curb the DUI problem. It was felt that this act would help reduce the incidence of DUI’s by teaching servers, bartenders and those who sell alcohol for off-premise consumption, how to avoid serving minors and how to avoid serving intoxicated people. (See Section 2 of the law.)