Frequently asked questions...
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How do you get a permit?
Oh no! I lost my permit!
What
the...? There are two fees? What am I paying for?
Do I
qualify for a renewal course?
What do I have to do to renew?
What
is a minor permit?
Can I
bartend with a minor permit?
Can I use my permit as a piece of ID?
Can I laminate my permit?
How long
does it take to get a permit?
Can I
serve alcohol without a permit?
I'm only serving alcohol once or
twice this year, do I still need a permit?
I'm volunteering, do I
still have to get a permit?
How long does the permit last?
Will I
get my permit right after class?
Can I serve alcohol right after
class?
What is covered in the
class?
Why, for the love of Pete, does the class have to be so long??
What if I have questions during the class?
What if I know everything
there is to know about this stuff?
I just don't have time to do this,
can I just take the test please?
I want to be a bartender, what is
that I really need to know?
I was thinking of going to bartending
school, should I?
Come on, it's just a sip, why can't I have a tiny
sip to make sure the wine is okay?
It's a drop of an appletini, I
have to make sure it takes okay before I send it out...
Why would I
ever consider for paying for someone else's cab for?
Should I refund
my customer's money if I pull their drink?
It's scary to pull a drink
from a customer, what should I do?
I have a drunk customer that has
no friends, no money, no manners, that I want gone.
I suspect a
customer is giving alcohol to a minor in my establishment, what should I
do?
I want to do more, know more, be more in this business, how do I
do that?
What is the top five most dangerous drinks for bartenders to
make?
Is there any study material that I can look at before I take
the class?
Have a question not covered here? Text us for a quick reply at
503-410-0103
Oh no! I lost my permit!
If you lost your permit, it's quite easy to replace it. You will
need to fill out an application just as you did when you applied for
your first one. Only this time, you're going to check
"replacement" at the top of the page and you don't need the "authorized
signer". Just fill it out, sign it yourself, mail the original to
the OLCC at the top of the page with a check for $5 payable to the OLCC,
and keep a copy for yourself - this copy is your permit until you get
your replacement in the mail a couple of weeks later. Get your
application
here, and if you have any questions,
please call this number: 503-872-5000.
What
the...? There are two fees? What am I paying for?
The
$23 application fee that you must send to the OLCC pays for your
background check and processing - not everyone gets a permit, you must
apply for it. The $17.95 pays for your class. The OLCC does
not teach the Alcohol Server Education classes - if they did, they would
be very expensive as they, as a government entity, would not be able to
use local businesses to conduct these classes. They would have to
send you to government offices and pay state wages to these instructors.
By using contractors and certified instructors, such as this company and
it's instructors, we can provide the class in a much more efficient
manner and for much less expense to you. Our company provides all
the materials you need to learn to serve alcohol responsibly. Our
instructors do not come from learning institutions, they come from your
industry - owners of bars, restaurants, cafe's, wineries and security
companies - so coming from your industry, we lean the class towards what
you need to do to protect yourself and how to make more money while you
do that.
Do I
qualify for a renewal course?
The law requires alcohol servers to pass a class in responsible
alcohol service every 5 years. If you are a licensee or server who
has to renew your service permit or server education requirement,
you now have two options. You can repeat the initial class or you
can take a shorter renewal course if you qualify.
Who qualifies to take a renewal class?
There's only one qualification: if you passed a server education
class within the past 7 (seven) years, you can take a renewal class.
It doesn't matter whether your permit has expired or whether you've
been out of the industry for a few years. If you passed your initial
class within 7 years, you qualify. If it's been 7 years
+ 1 day, you don't qualify – no exceptions!
Not sure if you qualify? Call the OLCC and we'll look up your
record.
Call 503-872-5114 in the Portland metro area
or 1-800-452-6522 ext. 5114.
Does that mean my service permit is good for 7 years? NO!
Your service permit must be renewed every 5 years, and if you're a
licensee, your server education requirement must be renewed every 5
years. The 7 year period applies only to whether you're qualified to
take a renewal class.
Check the expiration date on your service
permit. Service permits expire five years from the date the Alcohol
Server Education class was taken. Remember: you must not mix, serve, or
sell alcohol, or manage people who do, without a valid service permit.
What about the test? There's some risk in
choosing the shorter renewal class. The passing exam score for the
initial class is 70%. If you fail the initial class exam, you may retake
the exam up to two times before you have to retake the class. The
passing score for a renewal class is higher – 80%. If you fail the
renewal exam, you may NOT retake the exam. Instead, you must retake the
initial class.
What do I have to do to renew?
First decide if this is what you want to do. What we mean is, you
wouldn't be needing this if you didn't need another permit, but do you
want a refresher or do you want to retake the course you had five years
ago. There are advantages to both, however, the first thing you
must know is that some of the initial classes are just as long as some
renewal classes. That's right, a couple of years ago when the OLCC
approved the online course, the time requirement for the initial course
was erased from the law books. The material covered is the same as
it has always been for the most part in both classes, but the time you
spend in class is up to the instructor. There are still six hour
initial classes you can take out there, three hour classes for the
renewal. Our initial course is, however, about 2 1/2 hours - less
than some renewal courses. Crazy huh? We have structured our
class to a team-based curriculum - you learn from and network with your
peers in the industry, not from your instructor. The tuition is
the same for either class, so you must decide how much training you want
and need to do your job responsibly and make the most amount of money
with the least amount of risk. Contact us
here if you would like more
information.
What
is a minor permit?
Each permit, the adult and the minor permit, is good for five years – so
if you are a minor, let’s say 18 years old, your permit will expire when
you are 23 and will allow you to
take orders for, serve, or sell alcohol but only in areas where minor
postings allow minor customers.
Thus,
just because somebody has a green minor permit, it only means they
received it when they were a minor, it doesn’t necessarily mean they ARE
a minor. After they turn 21, it
is stated on the back of the green minor permit that they will have all
the privileges of the orange adult permit.
Can I
bartend with a minor permit?
Generally,
alcohol servers must be 21 years old.
Minors 18 to 20 years old may take orders for, serve, or sell
alcohol, but only in areas where the minor posting allows them.
(See ORS 471.482.)
Minors must get a minor service permit.
On their 21st birthday, this same permit provides all the
privileges of an adult service permit.
All liquor licenses that allow retail sales
privileges may employ minors in areas and during hours when minor
patronage is allowed unless otherwise prohibited by OLCC rules.
Minor service permittees may
NOT:
-
Serve alcohol or take
food orders in areas prohibited to minors, such as a bar or lounge.
-
Function solely as a bartender or cocktail
server.
-
Mix drinks.
Minor permittees
MAY:
-
Take orders for and
serve alcohol in areas not prohibited to minors, such as a dining
room or hotel lobby.
-
Pour wine or beer as a service to patrons at
their tables in areas not prohibited to minors.
-
Draw alcohol from the tap if the drawing is
done in areas not prohibited to minors.
-
Enter areas prohibited to minors, such as the
bar or lounge, to:
1)
Order and pick up drinks for service in
non-prohibited areas.
2)
Restock supplies.
3) Set
and clear tables.
4)
Deliver food, but not take food orders.
Minors must leave the prohibited areas after
performing these limited duties.
Minor service permits allow young people to work in businesses
as food servers, but not primarily as alcohol servers.
Can I use my permit as a piece of ID?
No. Your permit is not recognized as proof of identity in
eyes of the government.
Can I laminate my permit?
Yes, and it recommended because it is a flimsy piece of cardboard
that is easily damaged.
How long does it take to get a permit?
This is a difficult question. It depends on there are
holidays involved, it depends on if there are furlough days (due to the
budget cut backs), it depends sometimes on the weather (like in the
winter time). Typically, you should receive your permit in about
two weeks from the time you took your class (assuming you have sent in
your application already). Sometimes, it can take longer. If
you have been waiting 3 or 4 weeks, please call this number to see
what's what: 503-872-5000.
Can I
serve alcohol without a permit?
Actually yes. You may serve alcohol if you fill out an
application, have it signed by an authorized signer (your employer, the
OLCC, or one of our instructors) and mail it off with your check payable
to the OLCC for $23 (that pays for your background check and
processing). This allows you to serve, sell and mix alcohol for 45
days while you find a class.
I'm only serving alcohol once or
twice this year, do I still need a permit?
Yes. Yes, you do. Anyone who mixes, serves or sells alcohol
by the drink must have this permit in Oregon - it doesn't matter if you
use it once or a thousand times.
I'm volunteering, do I
still have to get a permit?
Yes you do. It's not about being paid or not. It's about
knowing the laws and knowing how to handle situations before they arise.
You must have a permit when serving, selling and / or mixing alcohol in
Oregon. And really, it's in your best interest to know what you're
liable for.
How long does the permit last?
Your permit will expire five years from the day you take your class
(and pass your test). You may renew any time from six months
before your permit expires to two years after the day it expires.
So, you have two years to renew your inactive permit after the first
five active years has gone past.
Will I
get my permit right after class?
No. Your permit
is mailed to your from the OLCC office in Milwaukie after you have
successfully completed your class and passed your test. It
typically takes two weeks, but sometimes longer.
Can I serve alcohol right after
class?
Yes, as long as your application has been
signed and sent in with your $23 check made payable to the OLCC.
The OLCC assumes you pass your test and thus allows you to serve alcohol
immediately after class without truly knowing if you passed your test or
not. They will send you a postcard with your test score on it
within ten days of your completed class and test.
What is covered in the
class?
Here is the table of contents to our workbook:
The Problem
Your Legal, House and Professional Duties
The Service Permit
Alcohol The Drug
Visible Intoxication And Non-Alcoholic Drugs
Alcohol In The Body
Factors Affecting BAC And Impairment
Alcohol And Pregnancy
Alcoholism A Disease
Laws On Minors
Food Service Requirements
Checking ID
Identifying Minors
Acceptable ID
Minor Decoy Operation
Confiscating ID
Visible Intoxication
Date Rape Drugs
Visibly Intoxicated Person
Good Faith Effort Law
Penalties
Conversations
BAC Chart
Drink Equivalency
Intervention
Intervention Attitudes and Techniques
Responsible Marketing
Management Commitment To Ongoing Training
Third Party Liability
Logbook
Designated Driver Program
Oregon Implied Consent Law
Liquor Licenses
Hours Of Alcohol Service
Wine From A Partially Consumed Bottle
Oregon Open Container Law
Drinking On Duty
Minor Permitees
Licensee and Permittee Responsibilities
Neighbourhood Liveability Law
Cooperating With The OLCC
Fifty Likely Signs Of Intoxication
Why, for the love of Pete, does the class have to be so long??
There is a minimum required curriculum that must be
covered. Beyond this, the instructor may teach the class in a
fashion deemed appropriate and responsible in accordance to the OLCC
standards. There are case studies covered, different techniques
used by the instructors - some use stories, some use video, some use
other props. The length of these classes greatly vary based on the
instructor's style and content covered beyond the required material.
Classes range from 2 1/2 hours to about six hours. It is always
good to ask when shopping for a class. Since 2007, we have been
using team-based learning at our on-site locations that was developed
and used by Baylor University and other medical schools to not only have
more impact and a shorter class time, but a fun and interactive way to
learn. This gives the student one of the quickest classes possible
but also one they remember very well.
What if I have questions during the class?
We strongly encourage participation. One way
to participate is to ask questions either while taking the online course
or the in-person course. There is a lot of information covered in
your class and a lot of responsibility put on your shoulders when
serving alcohol. You have to understand this thoroughly. As our
student, you will always be able to call and ask questions later as
well, either by calling 503-410-0103 or by
email.
What if I know everything
there is to know about this stuff?
So you think you know all there is to know about
Oregon liquor laws to do your job responsibly? Do you know how
often the laws change? Are you aware that most changes never make
it into the media? We strongly encourage everyone to take the full
course again after five years - five years is a long time to have a
misconception about a law, only to have it go uncorrected or not cleared
up for another five years because the subject wasn't covered in your
"renewal" course. There is so much personal liability involved
with serving alcohol, that you should never-ever take the training
lightly. It only takes the one customer for you to lose your job
over, lose your house because of a death or injury that your over-served
customer was responsible for. Face it, you don't know everything -
especially after five years between classes. We rewrite our
workbook at least a half-dozen times every five years.
I just don't have time to do this,
can I just take the test please?
This is a permit to serve the cheapest, most
wide-spread drug in the world that kills over 17,000 people every year.
One out of ten drinkers is an alcoholic.
In Oregon, the cost to taxpayers of alcohol-related injuries and
fatalities is over $1 billion a year–or more than $100,000 an hour. People who drive
impaired are dangerous killers.
Each year, 10,000 Oregonians are seriously injured and
approximately 200 are killed because of alcohol-impaired drivers.
They kill and injure more people than all other violent criminals
put together. The cost
in human suffering is incalculable.
Please take this training seriously -
the life you save might be one of your friends or family members.
I want to be a bartender, what is
that I really need to know?
Be excited. There is a lot of money to be made out there - if
you do it right. How do you do it right? Love your
customers, work hard, be responsible and respectful - AND professional.
Learn from a good bartender. Work for a responsible establishment.
Know all your alcohol - rum, gin, , tequila, vodka, wine, beer - know
your industry, know your laws backwards and forwards, know about
intervention, a little psychology will help too.
I was thinking of going to bartending
school, should I?
There are a lot of opinions about this. But what you're after
are the facts. Unless the school guarantee's job placement (really
important these days), it is a risky and expensive chance to take.
Think of yourself as an owner for just a moment. Would you want
someone with 20 years experience, that has a working knowledge of 100
different drinks, advice on how to run the bar efficiently, has been
working fast paced happy hour shifts, and truly has a grasp and comfort
level of their career? Or, would you like to train someone fresh,
from the ground up, without retraining a "professional" on how you want
"your" bar to run and how you want "your" drinks made? You want
someone professional, trustworthy, who will work hard, and come to work
on time, do what they are asked and perhaps a bit more. Bartending
school doesn't make you a good employee, it shows you how to make
several drinks correctly and quickly - while that is a part of the job,
the other 90% is customer service. Not all bartenders are Tom
Cruise in "Cocktail", but if you work hard enough - and have the
perseverance, there should be no stopping you without paying the
hundreds of dollars for the class that could possibly prevent you from
getting a bartending job.
Come on, it's just a sip, why can't I have a tiny
sip to make sure the wine is okay?
Alcohol affects the brain, right? And the first ability of the
brain that alcohol inhibits is judgment, right? Oregon has a law
about consuming alcohol while on duty for this reason. Other
states do not have this law, but Oregon does. Consuming alcohol is
putting any amount of alcohol in your mouth - since it gets absorbed
there, consuming is, of course, consuming. We cover this in class
of course, but if you have any questions about this, please email us
here or you can call the OLCC at 503-872-5000.
It's a drop of an appletini, I have to
make sure it takes okay before I send it out...
See above question about drinking on duty.
