MONTANA ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING
- Fast-paced & mobile-friendly
- Trusted alcohol safety program
- Learn at home or on the go
- Download completion certificate immediately
Which Course Should I Take?
Find out which alcohol course or package is best for you.
TIPS Montana Alcohol Training (On-Premise)
Dynamic & skills based. Includes course, 2 exam attempts, and certificate.
3 Years
TIPS Montana Alcohol Training (On-Premise) + National Food Handler
Dynamic & skills-based TIPS alcohol training plus ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)-Accredited Food Handler training and certificates.
3 Years
Does Montana law require alcohol server training?
Yes. Montana requires servers and sellers of alcoholic beverages to complete training from a state-approved training program within 60 days of being hired.
Training must be taken from the state, a Montana-certified trainer, or a Montana-approved training provider.
Please note, Learn2Serve alcohol server training is NOT valid in Montana, however TIPS is valid.
How long does alcohol server training last?
Alcohol server training expires three years after the issue date. After that, it needs to be repeated.
Why should I take Montana alcohol server training?
First of all, the state-specific, state-approved course is required by law in Montana.
Additionally, the Department of Revenue's Alcoholic Beverage Control Division imposes harsh penalties for serving alcoholic beverages to minors under the age of 21 or intoxicated persons. Violators face up to $1,000 fines and, in some cases, revocation of your establishment's license to serve alcohol.
Alcohol server training also helps you keep customers safe from drunk driving in Montana. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 932 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver in Montana from 2003 to 2012.
When you take into account Montana's low population density, that's a rate three times higher than the national average. It's one of the highest in the U.S., in fact, second only to North Dakota.
What jobs can I get with my alcohol server training?
There are many different establishments you can work at with your alcohol server training, such as:
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Casinos
- Liquor stores
- Grocery or convenience stores
- And more…
Alcohol server training is required for any job where you serve or sell alcohol in Montana.
And if you’re curious about how much money you can expect to make, here is some basic wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for bartenders and barbacks in Montana.
| Job Title | Average Hourly Wage | Average Yearly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Bartender | $10.37 | $21,570 |
| Bartender Helper (Barback) | $9.91 | $20,610 |
However, if you are in the top 90th percentile of bartenders, you can make much more money: $12.58 an hour. Bartending offers a variety of opportunities, depending on your preferences and skill level, including:
- Private events, such as weddings and parties, where you can make extra money on the side
- Craft breweries where you can learn more about the beer-making process
- Restaurants that want mixologists to develop their bar menu
- Neighborhood bars that want a friendly bartender to chat with customers
Aside from tending bar, you can also work as a cashier at any store that sells alcohol to consume off-premise, such as a grocery store or convenience store.
Where can I get more information about alcohol training in Montana?
You can find more information on alcohol sales in Montana on the Department of Revenue’s website, including:
- License types, requirements, and applications
- List of agency liquor stores
- Product information and pricing lists
- Alcohol tax information
- Montana alcohol laws and regulations
