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Do I need an alcohol server permit?
Whether a person is required to have a server permit is determined by what that person actually does, not by their job title.
If your job involves making the decision whether to sell and/or serve alcohol to a customer, you must be certified.
SERVERS who take drink orders, or serve alcohol must be certified. BARTENDERS must always be certified.
MANAGERS and OWNERS, even if they don't sell or serve customers themselves, must be certified, because they "manage,
direct, or control the sale or service of alcohol".
BOUNCERS and SECURITY, if they are checking the IDs of customers to make sure they are at least 21, are "controlling
the sale and service of alcohol", and therefore are also required to be certified.
HOSTS in a restaurant who do not make any decision to serve or sell alcohol, do NOT need to be certified. But if they
EVER check a customer's ID, take a drink order or serve an alcoholic beverage, they must be certified.
CASHIERS generally must be certified. In a package-store situation (Grocery store or Liquor Store) cashiers must be at
least 21 years old.
What is alcohol server certification?
To be certified you must attend a State-approved alcohol server education class. The class, on licensed beverage training
or responsible beverage service, requires 4 1/2 hours of instruction, plus an exam. Upon completion of the class, after passing
the exam, Alcohol Server Training will issue a temporary certificate, which is valid proof of certification. Later, the New
Mexico Division of Alcohol and Gaming, will send the official certificate.
How old do I have to be to get certified?
You must be at least 19 years old to attend a server certification class. Note: most employment positions require that you
be at least 21 years old. Under age 21, the only LEGAL involvement with alcohol you can have, is as a server in a restaurant,
which receives the bulk of its income from the sale of food.
How long is the Certificate good for?
Currently, the server Certificate is valid for five (5) years.
What if I don't get certified?
In the State of New Mexico, serving alcohol without a permit after the allowed 30 day "grace period", could result
in a fine of up to $500.00. The manager on duty AND the establishment itself can also be fined separately. If your certificate
has expired and you are caught serving alcohol, the fine could be as high as $250.00. Again, the manager on duty and the
establishment could be cited and fined also. The trend has been for employers to require certification BEFORE hiring.
How do I get my alcohol server's certification?
All that is required is for you to attend any one of our regularly scheduled classes (see CLASS SCHEDULE page), and pass the
exam. You must bring to class a valid photo ID (such as a driver's license or passport).
Is there a shorter class that I can take to get my certification?
No. The minimum class time is defined by law. The Division of Alcohol and Gaming has previously taken away the certification
of those providers who did not comply with the State rules and regulations.
When will I receive my certificate?
If you attend class at Alcohol Server's Training & Services, a temporary certification will be issued immediately at the
end of class for those students who have met all requirements.
The temporary certificate is valid until you receive the official certificate from the Division of Alcohol and Gaming in Santa
Fe.
What if I lose my certificate?
By calling or writing the Division of Alcohol and Gaming (see complete contact information on "LINKS" page) you
can obtain a form to request a duplicate of your certification. NOTE: you cannot legally serve or sell alcohol during the
time it takes to receive a duplicate. You must be able to produce your certification at any time, should enforcement officers
ask for it during your working hours, according to Alcohol and Gaming Division.
Is there a "grace period" during which I can work without being certified?
Yes, IF you have never before been certified in New Mexico, you have 30 days within which to take a certification class.
There is no "grace period" if you have previously been certified in New Mexico.
Will I receive a notification that my certification is about to expire?
No. You are expected to keep your certificate accessible, and to be aware of its expiration date.
How do I renew my certification after it expires?
Currently, the only way to renew your certification is to attend a regular server certification class. ASTS has many students
returning for renewal, some for the third time! Renewing students find that there have been changes in New Mexico laws or
enforcement practices since they last attended.
I have questions you didn't answer. What do I do?
We welcome your calls and/or emails with your questions and comments (see "CONTACT US" page for complete
information), or search the sites listed on the "LINKS" page.
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