TIPS Training: What Is TIPS Certification?

If you’re interested in becoming a server, a bartender, or the manager of a business that serves or sells alcohol, chances are you need to take an alcohol training course like TIPS to ensure you know how to follow the law and handle difficult alcohol-related situations.

Below, we’ll tell you what you need to know about TIPS certification, including what you’ll learn, why you need it, and what kind of course is right for you.

What Does TIPS Certified Mean?

To be TIPS certified means you have successfully completed a TIPS training course.  

The abbreviation “TIPS” stands for Training for Intervention ProcedureS. These courses are a particularly popular type of responsible alcohol sales and service training.

What Is TIPS Certification?

The TIPS program was developed to give bartenders and other alcohol servers the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to prevent illegal alcohol sales. 

To this end, TIPS alcohol server education courses teach employees about the biology of alcohol consumption and relevant state and federal alcohol laws, as well as important skills like spotting a fake ID, recognizing signs of intoxication, refusing service, and more.

TIPS is recognized by courts, liquor boards, and businesses as the standard for server training programs.

Who Needs TIPS Training?

Each state, county, and city can have its own guidelines on who is required to take and complete an alcohol training course like TIPS, so you’ll need to check the laws where you work.

Generally, anyone who supervises or is involved in the service of alcohol in an establishment and holds a liquor license should earn TIPS certification. This includes:

• Servers
• Bartenders
• Barbacks
• Managers
• Owners
• Hosts or hostesses

Is TIPS Certification Mandatory?

Whether or not TIPS certification is mandatory will depend on where you are located. Some jurisdictions require responsible alcohol courses like TIPS training, while others do not.

However, even in states where training is not mandatory, your place of work might still require you to complete a course so that you know how to follow the alcohol laws in your state.

Which TIPS Training Course Do I Need?

We provide several TIPS training courses, including:

• On-Premise: On-premises courses are intended for employees who serve alcoholic beverages meant to be consumed where they’re bought.  Examples include restaurants, bars, wineries, hotels, casinos, and similar businesses.  
• Off-Premise & Delivery: Off-premise courses are for workers who sell sealed alcoholic beverages meant to be consumed off-site. This includes liquor stores, convenience stores, grocery stores, and similar businesses. This program is also appropriate for those who work at a delivery or online ordering service that provides alcohol or "to go" cocktail delivery.
• Concessions: TIPS Concessions Alcohol Training is specifically designed for people who serve or sell alcohol in a concession setting. This course is ideal for those selling alcohol at sports stadiums, convention centers, arenas, festivals, concert halls, fundraisers, and other concession outlets.
• Gaming: TIPS Gaming Alcohol Training is designed for people who are going to sell or serve alcohol in a gaming or gambling environment like a casino. The target audience for this course includes cocktail servers, bartenders, floor managers, security guards, card dealers, valets, and food service personnel.

If alcohol training is legally mandated or required by your employer for compliance purposes, not all of these courses will necessarily count toward fulfilling your requirement. Make sure to check your jurisdiction’s guidelines for what courses and training providers are approved for use.

How Long Does a TIPS Training Course Take?

The amount of time it will take to complete a TIPS certification course will depend on the time management of the person taking the course and the type of program they are taking.

In general, online TIPS courses can take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours to complete. Users are allowed to log out and return to the course at any time before starting the final exam. Upon returning, the course will resume from the point at which the user logged out.

That said, each attempt at the final exam must be completed during a single, uninterrupted session.

What Kind of Topics Are Covered in a TIPS Certification Course?

The specific topics covered in a TIPS training course can vary depending on the state you are located in and the type of program you have enrolled in.

Generally, our courses cover a variety of topics, including alcohol laws and best practices, how alcohol affects the body, recognizing a fake ID or an intoxicated customer, and tips for refusing service.

Does TIPS Certification Expire?

Yes. Unfortunately, your TIPS certification expires, but there’s a good reason for this. TIPS courses carry all sorts of crucial information that will help you stay compliant with local liquor laws and responsible alcohol service best practices.

Over time, some of the details start to get fuzzy. Alcohol service mistakes can have serious consequences, so you need regular refreshers on the material to stay sharp.

You can renew your certification by retaking the same course.

How Long Does TIPS Certification Last?

TIPS certification is generally good for three years. However, to ensure that servers and sellers are following current laws and regulations, states require that servers and sellers receive alcohol training every two, three, or four years, depending on the jurisdictional requirements, and pass the appropriate course exam. 

How Soon After Finishing the Course Will I Receive My TIPS Certificate of Completion?

Once you finish your course and pass the required exams, you can download or print your certificate of completion immediately by accessing your training account. If you lose your certificate of completion and need a new one, you can email support@360training.com or contact customer service via chat on our website.

How Do I Get TIPS Certified?

Getting TIPS certified is simple. You can start one of our TIPS training programs today in just 3 easy steps:

• Enroll in one of our TIPS training courses.
• Complete the course and pass the TIPS certification exam.
• Access your account and download and/or print your TIPS certificate as proof of completion. You may want to provide a copy for your employer, but you should also keep one for your own records.

TIPS is a leading alcohol seller-server certification program and is proudly offered by 360training. It's a cost-effective solution to your alcohol compliance training needs.

In addition to TIPS certification, 360training offers a wide range of alcohol seller-server courses tailored to specific state and local requirements. Start today by selecting your state to view our full catalog of courses. If your workplace serves food, you can bundle approved food safety training and save. Enroll today!