South Carolina TIPS Certification - TIPS Training

Responsible alcohol training is required in South Carolina for employees who work at least 10 hours per week serving alcohol for on-premises consumption and for managers who oversee alcohol service. These individuals must complete an approved server training program by March 2, 2026, or within 30 days of employment.

TIPS South Carolina On and Off-Premise training is approved by the South Carolina Department of Revenue Alcohol Beverage Licensing as a Penalty Mitigation Training Program for licensees. This approved training maSouth Carolina Department of Revenue Alcohol Beverage Licensing as a Penalty Mitigation Training Program for licenseesy be used by employees who have violated ABL laws or regulations and are required to complete training under South Carolina Code Sections 61-4-50(C) and 61-6-4080(C).

Who Should Be TIPS Certified?

Employees serving alcohol for on-premises consumption at least 10 hours per week, and the managers who oversee them, are required to complete an approved server training program by March 2, 2026, or within 30 days of employment.

While responsible alcohol training is not required for all alcohol-related positions, such as:

• Bartenders and servers
• Restaurant staff
• Grocery store employees
• Convenience store clerks
• Caterers and event staff
• Hotel employees
• Liquor store personnel

It is still strongly recommended for anyone who sells or serves alcohol in the state. Completing training can help protect both employees and their employers from potential legal issues.

TIPS South Carolina On and Off-Premise training is approved by the South Carolina Department of Revenue Alcohol Beverage Licensing as a Penalty Mitigation Training Program for licensees.

Follow These Easy Steps Below to get TIPS Certified

• Enroll in our class by clicking on one of the "Buy Now" buttons above.
• Complete the TIPS alcohol certification course online at your own pace.
• Pass the certification exam. You have 30 days to complete the course.
• If you fail the final exam you have one additional attempt to pass at no charge.
• Print your TIPS certificate as proof of your online certification.
• Receive your permanent TIPS certification card by US mail in 7 to 10 business days.

The eTIPS On-Premise course addresses concerns specific to restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, and other establishments where the alcohol is consumed on-premise.

The eTIPS Off-Premise course addresses concerns specific to grocery, liquor and package stores where the alcohol is consumed off the premises. The course focuses on recognizing signs of intoxication, preventing underage sales as well as second party sales.

The eTIPS Concessions course addresses concerns specific to stadiums, arenas, festivals and concerts where the alcohol is usually served in plastic cups. These are usually high volume events and course focuses on making quick decisions to prevent intoxicated and underage customers.

Alcohol service laws are governed by: South Carolina Department of Revenue, Alcohol Beverage Licensing

South Carolina Alcohol Laws

South Carolina law now requires alcohol server training for certain employees and managers. Employees who work at least 10 hours per week serving alcohol for on-premises consumption, along with managers who supervise alcohol service, must complete an approved alcohol server training program by March 2, 2026, or within 30 days of being hired.

This requirement comes from a state law passed in 2025 and is outlined in South Carolina Code Section 61-3-120. Beyond meeting the legal requirement, completing a Department of Revenue–recognized training program may be considered if an alcohol-related violation occurs. Any penalty reduction is not guaranteed and is determined by the Department of Revenue.