States › Delaware
Delaware Alcohol Server Training Requirements (2026)
Delaware requires alcohol server/seller training statewide. Anyone who sells, serves, prepares or delivers alcohol, plus managers/supervisors. New hires: Employees who have worked 30+ days and 10+ hours/week must be certified (Rule 803). Validity: 2 years (changed in 2026; cards issued earlier stay valid to their printed expiration).
⚠ Sources disagree
- Older third-party sites still show a 3-year Delaware card; OABCC FAQ says renewal every two years as of 2026.
We follow the official state source.
Key facts
| Status | Mandatory statewide |
|---|---|
| Scope | Anyone who sells, serves, prepares or delivers alcohol, plus managers/supervisors. |
| Who must be trained | servers, sellers, bartenders, delivery staff, managers |
| New-hire deadline | Employees who have worked 30+ days and 10+ hours/week must be certified (Rule 803) |
| Certificate validity | 2 years (changed in 2026; cards issued earlier stay valid to their printed expiration) |
| Approved programs | Delaware Restaurant Association course, eTIPS |
| Generic national courses accepted? | Yes - national programs are accepted or appear on official lists |
| Online allowed? | Yes |
| Typical cost (published) | Not published by the state |
| Incentives | None noted |
| Notable local mandates | None noted |
| Recent changes | 2026: 'Bartender Bill' made server training renewable every two years. |
Official approved-course list ↗
Which course should I take?
- National brands on the Delaware list: TIPS (affiliate placeholder).
- Your certificate lasts about 2 year(s) here. Set a free renewal reminder →
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is alcohol server training required in Delaware?
Yes. Anyone who sells, serves, prepares or delivers alcohol, plus managers/supervisors.
How long do new hires have to get certified in Delaware?
Employees who have worked 30+ days and 10+ hours/week must be certified (Rule 803)
How long is a Delaware alcohol server certificate valid?
2 years (changed in 2026; cards issued earlier stay valid to their printed expiration)
Which courses are approved in Delaware?
Programs listed by official sources include: Delaware Restaurant Association course, eTIPS. Always confirm on the official list.
Sources
- OABCC FAQ (Server Training) official
- 4 Del. Admin. Code 803 official
- DATE: Server Training official
- TIPS: Which States Require Alcohol Server Training? (2025) cross-check
- Responsibility.org Alcohol Service Training position paper (data as of Jan 12, 2026) cross-check
Notes
- NIAAA APIS could not be fetched (HTTP 403 to automated tools); APIS figures used only via a 2025 PMC article citing APIS (23 states mandate RBS in some capacity).
Spot an error or a rule change? Email us at [email protected].