How To Get Your Bartending License in Tennessee Today: TABC Certified

Tennessee’s hospitality industry is booming—from Nashville’s Lower Broadway honky-tonks to Memphis’s historic Beale Street. But before you pour your first drink or serve your first cocktail, you need something essential: a TABC-approved Tennessee Server Permit (often called a “bartending license”).
Jan 30
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Get Your TABC Certification Today.

As of January 1, 2025, the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) introduced new mandatory training topics for alcohol servers. If you’re a bartender, server, or manager, this guide will help you get certified the right way, stay compliant with 2025 laws, and protect both your career and your business.

Quick Start: You can complete your state-approved online training through the Tennessee Alcohol Awareness Training by Certification Experts—a convenient, TABC-certified program for bartenders, alcohol servers, and managers.

What Is a Tennessee Bartending License (TABC Server Permit)?

In Tennessee, anyone who serves, sells, or manages alcohol on-premise must hold an official Server Permit issued by the TABC. This permit shows that you’ve completed a TABC-approved Alcohol Awareness Training program and understand how to serve responsibly and legally.

Who needs it:

  • Bartenders and cocktail servers

  • Restaurant and bar waitstaff

  • Managers or supervisors overseeing alcohol service

  • Event servers at venues with liquor-by-the-drink licenses


Who doesn’t: Retail clerks who sell sealed alcohol off-premise (like grocery stores) typically need a different type of license or training.

2025 Law Update: New Mandatory Sexual Assault & Human Trafficking Training

Beginning January 1, 2025, Tennessee law requires that all state-approved server training courses include modules on:

  • Sexual assault prevention & bystander intervention

  • Date-rape drug awareness & drink-spiking prevention

  • Human trafficking recognition & reporting procedures


This addition reflects a broader statewide effort to improve patron safety and responsible alcohol service, particularly in busy nightlife districts like Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga.

Why It Matters

This training empowers bartenders and servers to:

  • Recognize warning signs of spiked drinks or predatory behavior

  • Intervene safely and appropriately when a guest may be in danger

  • Report suspicious activity to management or law enforcement

  • Create safer environments for patrons and staff alike


The Tennessee Alcohol Awareness Training offered by the Certification Experts meets all 2025 TABC curriculum standards, including these new safety and prevention modules.

Step-by-Step: How To Get Your Bartending License (Server Permit) in Tennessee

Getting your Tennessee Server Permit is a simple, structured process. Follow these steps carefully to stay compliant and start working fast.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

  • Must be 18 years or older.

  • Must not have disqualifying criminal convictions.

  • You may begin working without a permit, but you have 61 days from hire to complete training and obtain your Server Permit.

Step 2: Register with the TABC RLPS System

Go to the Regulatory Licensing & Permitting System (RLPS) portal. Create your account and complete the Server Permit Application.

  • Upload valid ID

  • Pay the $20 application fee (non-refundable)

  • Receive your RLPS number (you’ll use this to link your training results)

Step 3: Complete a State-Approved Alcohol Awareness Training Course

Enroll in a TABC-approved provider—such as the Tennessee Alcohol Awareness Training.

The course covers:

  • Tennessee alcohol laws

  • Age verification and ID checking

  • Preventing intoxication and over-service

  • Recognizing fake IDs

  • Sexual assault and human trafficking prevention (2025 update)

  • Liability and safe serving practices


You can take the course 100% online, at your own pace, and receive your certificate immediately upon passing.

Step 4: Submit Proof of Training via RLPS

After completing your course, your training provider uploads your completion record to the TABC. Confirm the upload inside your RLPS account to finalize your permit.

Step 5: Receive Your Server Permit

You’ll receive a digital copy of your TABC Server Permit via RLPS. Print or store a copy on your mobile device—you must have it available while working.

2025 Change: New Two-Year Validity Period

The TABC recently shortened the validity of new permits:

  • Issued before Jan 1, 2025 - valid for 5 years and you can renew when expired

  • Issued on/after Jan 1, 2025 - valid for 2 years and you must complete new training & reapply

There is no grace period once your permit expires. To renew, you must:

  • Re-enroll in a TABC-approved training course.

  • Complete the course and pass the exam again.

  • Submit renewal via RLPS with payment.


Pro Tip: Set a digital calendar reminder 22 months from your issue date—renew early to avoid a work interruption.

Why Responsible Alcohol Training Matters

Getting certified isn’t just a checkbox—it protects your guests, your career, and your employer.
A valid Tennessee Server Permit demonstrates that you understand how to:

  • Verify legal drinking age accurately

  • Prevent over-service and intoxication

  • Handle confrontations safely

  • Understand liability under Tennessee’s Dram Shop Laws

  • Identify and report harassment, assault, or trafficking indicators


Each of these skills helps prevent costly fines, suspensions, or legal exposure for businesses.

Common Pain Points (and How To Solve Them)

Challenge  Solution
Confusion about 2025 law changes Use updated TABC-approved providers that include sexual assault & trafficking modules.
Managing shorter 2-year renewals Create a digital permit tracking system or reminder calendar.
Staff turnover in bars/restaurants Keep permit records in one folder or digital dashboard for easy verification.
Unsure which training counts
 Only TABC-listed programs (like Certification Experts) are valid for the Tennessee Server Permit.
RLPS navigation issues Save your RLPS login and permit number securely—this portal manages all permit actions.

Employer Compliance Checklist

Business owners and managers must also comply with TABC regulations.
Use this quick list to protect your business:

  • ✅ Verify every server’s permit via the RLPS database

  • ✅ Keep digital or printed copies on file for all active employees

  • ✅ Track expiration dates (especially with new 2-year cycle)

  • ✅ Ensure all new hires complete training within 61 days

  • ✅ Maintain ongoing education about safe service and new state laws

Failing to comply can lead to fines, permit suspension, or liability exposure under Tennessee’s alcohol laws.

Trends in Tennessee Alcohol Service & Training

  1. Digital Training Dominance: Online courses now account for most certifications statewide.

  2. Focus on Safety: The new mandatory curriculum reflects a culture shift—protecting patrons and staff from harm.

  3. Mobile-Friendly Permits: The TABC now fully supports digital permit access through RLPS.

  4. Automated Compliance Software: Bars and restaurants are adopting digital dashboards to track employee certifications.

  5. Employer Accountability: Greater scrutiny of license verification during state audits.

Certification Experts remains at the forefront of these changes, offering modern, mobile-friendly, and state-approved TABC-compliant training for Tennessee alcohol servers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How old do I have to be to bartend or serve alcohol in Tennessee?
You must be at least 18 years old to obtain a TABC Server Permit.

Q2: How long is my Tennessee Server Permit valid?
  • 5 years if issued before Jan 1, 2025.

  • 2 years if issued on or after that date.


Q3: What happens if my permit expires?
You cannot legally serve alcohol until you retake training and renew your permit.

Q4: Where do I apply for my permit?
Through the TABC RLPS portal.

Q5: Does Certification Experts’ course meet 2025 requirements? Yes. The Tennessee Alcohol Awareness Training is state-approved and TABC-compliant, including all new sexual assault and human trafficking training topics.

Get TABC Certified Today

Getting your Tennessee Server Permit doesn’t have to be complicated. With the Tennessee Alcohol Awareness Training by the Certification Experts, you can:

  • Complete your course 100% online

  • Learn from a state-approved provider

  • Fulfill all 2025 TABC training requirements

  • Earn your certificate and start working fast


Start your training today—and serve with safety, confidence, and compliance across Tennessee’s thriving hospitality scene.

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