Missouri: free state training, no state mandate
Is server training required in Missouri?
No. The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control encourages licensees to train, using permissive language rather than mandatory language. What is required by law is responsible service itself — the training is how you get there, not a separate legal duty.
What does the state provide?
Two free options. ATC runs free in-person server training on servers' legal obligations, and SMART — the State of Missouri Alcohol Responsibility Training — is a free online interactive programme operated by the University of Missouri's Wellness Resource Center.
How old do I have to be to sell alcohol in Missouri?
Eighteen, with a catch. Chapter 311 allows those aged 18 to 20 to sell or handle intoxicating liquor in a restaurant or convenience store, but the licensee must first obtain permission from the state supervisor of the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. That approval sits with your employer, so ask whether it has been obtained before your first shift.
Why pay for a course when SMART is free?
Scheduling and paperwork, chiefly. SMART is an excellent programme and worth taking; a self-paced commercial course simply fits a rota and hands you a certificate the same day for an employer file or a job application. Many Missouri operators use both. This course is independent training and is not the ATC or SMART programme.