Compare alcohol server courses (2026)

The "best" course is the one your state (or city) approves. Use this page to compare the big national programs, then confirm on your state's page.

Affiliate disclosure: Some course links on this site may become affiliate links (currently placeholders). If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which courses a state approves.

TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS)

Provider: Health Communications, Inc. (sold online via 360training/gettips.com)
Formats: Online (eTIPS) and classroom; On-Premise, Off-Premise, Concessions
Certificate validity: Typically 3 years (program); state rules may override
Published price: Nebraska's official list shows $38 online (state-published figure)
Best for: Most widely recognized national brand; good for people who may move states.
On official lists we captured: AK, DE, ID, IN, ME, MI, MT, NE, NV, RI, SC, SD, WI

Go to TIPS course (affiliate placeholder)

ServSafe Alcohol

Provider: National Restaurant Association
Formats: Online and classroom; Primary and Advanced
Certificate validity: Program-defined; state rules may override
Published price: Nebraska's official list shows $30 online
Best for: Restaurants already using ServSafe Food; some states need a state supplement (e.g., South Dakota).
On official lists we captured: IN, ME, MI, MT, NE, RI, SC, SD, WI

Go to ServSafe course (affiliate placeholder)

Learn2Serve / 360training state courses

Provider: 360training.com, Inc.
Formats: Online, state-specific versions
Certificate validity: Follows state rule
Published price: Not published by states reviewed
Best for: States that require a state-specific online course (e.g., SC, IN, MI lists include 360training/Learn2Serve).
On official lists we captured: AK, IN, ME, MI, MT, SC

Go to Learn2Serve course (affiliate placeholder)

TAM (Techniques of Alcohol Management)

Provider: TAM (tamusa.org); TAM of Nevada; Michigan Licensed Beverage Assn.
Formats: Online and classroom
Certificate validity: Nevada card 4 years (state rule)
Published price: Not published by states reviewed
Best for: Michigan and Nevada, where TAM is on the official list. Not on Nebraska's or Montana's current lists.
On official lists we captured: MI, NV

Go to TAM course (affiliate placeholder)

State-run / state-specific programs

Provider: State agencies and associations
Formats: Varies
Certificate validity: Follows state rule
Published price: Often free: Indiana ATC, Iowa I-PACT, Ohio ASK, Missouri SMART, NC RASP, Kentucky STAR, Connecticut permittee course; SC caps provider fees at $50
Best for: Required or cheapest option in many states (e.g., CA RBS + ABC exam, IL BASSET, NM, OR, WA MAST, PA RAMP, TX TABC, TN TABC).
On official lists we captured: -

Quick rules of thumb

Mandatory state? Take a course on that state's official list; the course title usually includes the state name.
New Mexico explicitly rejects national (non-NM) courses; California requires the ABC's own exam after training; Colorado's responsible vendor program does not accept self-paced online courses.
Voluntary state? A national course (TIPS/ServSafe) is portable and usually satisfies employers, insurers and penalty-mitigation programs - check the state page.

"On official lists we captured" only reflects states where we transcribed the provider list; a dash doesn't mean the course isn't approved elsewhere.