Follow These Steps To Get Your Bartending License or Server Certification in Mississippi

If you’re hoping to launch a bartending or serving career in Mississippi, you might be wondering: Do I need a bartending license or alcohol server certification to legally serve alcohol? How do I get one? The answer is a little different than in some other states.

Oct 7

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Unlike in other states, Mississippi does not require bartenders or servers to obtain a state-approved alcohol certification. There is no statewide “bartending license” for individuals. Instead, alcohol regulation is handled through the Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), which issues permits and licenses at the business level.

That said, if you want to be competitive in Mississippi’s hospitality industry, getting alcohol server training is highly recommended. Many employers, local governments, and insurance companies require bartenders, servers, and bar staff to hold an alcohol awareness certification.

This guide will break down:

Mississippi bartending license requirements (and what doesn’t exist)
Alcohol server certification in Mississippi and why it matters
Steps to start bartending in Mississippi
Key state laws you need to know
The role of alcohol awareness training in boosting your career
How to enroll in our Mississippi Alcohol Awareness Training

The short answer: No, Mississippi does not issue or require a bartending license for individuals.

What Mississippi does regulate is alcohol business licensing and permitting through the Department of Revenue’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Division. If you own or operate a business serving alcohol, you must apply for the appropriate ABC permit depending on your business type (restaurant, bar, package store, etc).

But for individual bartenders, servers, and sellers:

There is no state-issued bartending license.
There is no universal statewide training mandate.
Local municipalities and individual employers often set their own requirements.

So while you don’t need to present a license to work as a bartender in Mississippi, you’ll likely be required by your employer to complete alcohol server training.

Alcohol server certification is training that teaches bartenders, servers, and sellers how to responsibly serve alcohol. Courses typically cover:

Mississippi alcohol serving laws
Checking IDs and preventing underage sales
Recognizing signs of intoxication
When and how to refuse service
Civil and criminal liability risks
Responsible beverage service best practices

Certification helps protect both the employee and the employer. Insurers often require certified staff to lower liability costs. Employers also value certification as proof that you understand the law and will help them avoid fines or penalties.

In Mississippi, alcohol server certification is:

Not mandatory statewide
Commonly required by employers
Valid for about three years depending on the provider
Offered online or in person

Here’s where Mississippi stands out compared to other states:

No state law requires every bartender or server to be certified.
Some municipalities (especially larger cities like Jackson or Gulfport) may adopt local ordinances requiring server training.
Employers often require certification as part of hiring or continued employment.
Insurance companies sometimes require proof of certification for businesses to qualify for coverage.

So while it’s not mandated at the state level, in practice alcohol server certification is a de facto requirement if you want to work in most licensed establishments.

For official state licensing information, check the Mississippi ABC website.

Even though not required by the state, completing an alcohol server training course is one of the best steps you can take. Employers value it, and it can make you stand out when applying for jobs.

Our Mississippi Alcohol Awareness Training is:

100% online and self-paced
Covers Mississippi-specific laws and responsibilities
Affordable and accessible
Designed for bartenders, servers, and sellers

While not state-approved, it provides practical, career-boosting knowledge that prepares you for real-world alcohol service.

As a bartender or server in Mississippi, you’ll need to understand the legal landscape:

Minimum Age: 18+ to serve alcohol.
Hours of Sale: Set by local ordinances. Some counties still enforce “dry” or partially dry laws where alcohol sales are restricted.
Dram Shop Laws: Mississippi allows lawsuits against establishments that serve visibly intoxicated customers who later cause injury or damage.
Fake IDs: Selling to minors carries severe penalties, including fines and possible jail time.
Employer Responsibility: Businesses are required to follow ABC permit rules and may be penalized if staff break the law.

Learning these laws in detail is part of why certification is so important, even if it’s not state-mandated.

Many people confuse a bartending license with alcohol server certification, but in Mississippi they are very different:

Bartending License: Mississippi does not issue one for individuals. Licenses apply to businesses through ABC permits.
Alcohol Server Certification: Voluntary for individuals, but often required by employers and municipalities. Proof that you’ve completed alcohol awareness training.

If you’re looking to start bartending in Mississippi, the path is less about a license and more about training and employer compliance.

Do you need a bartending license in Mississippi?
No, Mississippi does not issue or require a bartending license for individuals.

What certification do I need to serve alcohol in Mississippi?
There’s no statewide requirement, but employers and municipalities often require alcohol server certification.

How old do you have to be to serve alcohol in Mississippi?
You must be at least 18 years old. (Age 21 to bartend.)

How long does alcohol server certification last in Mississippi?
Most certifications are valid for about 3 years.

Is alcohol awareness training worth it if it’s not required?
Yes—training makes you more employable, reduces liability risks, and prepares you for real-world service situations.

Mississippi may not require bartenders and servers to hold a state-issued license, but that doesn’t mean you should skip alcohol training. In fact, certification is often the difference between landing a job or being passed over. Employers, municipalities, and insurers all look for trained staff to reduce liability and improve customer safety.

By completing alcohol server certification, you’ll: