Top 10 Bar Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for bar managers in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and proficiency in their field. They also show employers that the bar manager is committed to their profession and has the necessary skills to succeed in the position. Certifications can give bar managers an edge over other candidates, as they prove that they have the necessary qualifications and experience to do the job correctly. Additionally, certifications provide employers with an assurance that their staff is well-trained and knowledgeable about best practices in managing a bar.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Bar Managers and explains how they can help to advance a bar manager's career.

What are Bar Manager Certifications?

Bar Manager certification is a credential designed to recognize professional excellence in bar management. This certification program is designed to help bar managers develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential for successful bar management. Bar managers who obtain this certification have demonstrated their ability to manage a variety of tasks associated with running a successful bar.

The certification covers all aspects of bar management from legal issues to customer service and product knowledge. It also provides guidance on conflict resolution, financial management, inventory control, marketing strategies and more. Additionally, it helps bar managers develop an understanding of the industry’s best practices and standards.

Having this certification can be beneficial to employers as it can provide assurance that their bar managers are knowledgeable about the industry and will be able to effectively manage their business operations. It can also give potential employers confidence in hiring certified professionals as they know they have proven expertise in managing bars.

Additionally, having this certification can make individuals more marketable when seeking employment or other opportunities in the field. The credential may also open up doors for promotions within an organization or help them stand out when applying for new positions in a competitive job market.

Pro Tip: When considering bar manager certification, make sure to research the most current certifications available and ensure that it is recognized by local and national industry organizations.

Related: What does a Bar Manager do?

Top 10 Bar Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Bar Managers today.

1. Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM)

Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) is a certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of food safety principles, practices, and procedures. It is designed to help ensure that food service operations are managed safely and efficiently. The CPFM certification is awarded by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).

To get the CPFM certification, applicants must complete an approved training program and pass an exam. The training program typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete and can be done in a classroom setting or online. After completing the training program, applicants must pass a written exam administered by a qualified proctor.

The cost of the CPFM certification varies depending on the provider offering it. Generally, it costs between $100 - $200 for the training course and exam fees.

2. Certified Bar Manager (CBM)

A Certified Bar Manager (CBM) is a professional designation that recognizes the knowledge and skills of experienced bar managers. It is awarded by the National Association of Professional Bartenders (NAPB). The CBM certification demonstrates that a bar manager has the knowledge and experience to run a successful bar.

The CBM program requires applicants to have at least three years of experience as a bar manager or bartender, including at least one year in a supervisory role. Applicants must also complete an online course, which covers topics such as inventory management, customer service, and liquor laws.

To get certified, applicants must pass an exam with a score of 75% or higher. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as liquor laws, customer service, and financial management. The exam can be taken online or at an approved testing center.

The cost for the CBM program is $299 USD for NAPB members and $349 USD for non-members. This fee includes access to the online course materials and the exam fee.

3. National Restaurant Association's ServSafe Alcohol Certification

The National Restaurant Association's ServSafe Alcohol Certification is a comprehensive program designed to help restaurant and bar owners, managers, and employees understand their responsibilities when serving alcohol. The certification provides the necessary knowledge and skills to prevent intoxication, underage drinking, and drunk driving. It also covers topics such as state laws and regulations related to alcohol service, identifying intoxicated guests, checking IDs, preventing over-serving, responding to emergencies, and more.

The certification program consists of an online course that takes approximately 4-5 hours to complete. After completing the course, participants must pass an exam with a score of 75% or higher in order to receive the certification. The cost of the course is $19.95 for members of the National Restaurant Association or $39.95 for non-members.

Once certified, individuals will have access to a certificate card that can be used as proof of completion when applying for jobs or when working in establishments that require alcohol service training. The certification is valid for five years from the date of completion.

4. Certified Beverage Manager (CBM)

Certified Beverage Manager (CBM) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved an advanced level of knowledge and expertise in the beverage industry. It is administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). The CBM program focuses on topics such as wine, spirits, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and food-beverage pairings.

The CBM program requires applicants to complete a series of online courses and exams to earn their certification. The online coursework includes topics such as beverage service operations, beverage management principles, wine fundamentals, spirit fundamentals, beer fundamentals, and non-alcoholic beverages. Upon successful completion of the coursework and exams, applicants will receive their Certified Beverage Manager designation.

The CBM program typically takes about six months to complete depending on how much time an individual can commit to studying for the exams. The cost of the program varies depending on the number of courses taken but generally ranges from $400-$600 USD.

To get started with the CBM program, applicants must first register with NRAEF and pay any applicable fees associated with the program. After registration is complete, applicants can begin taking courses and preparing for their exams. Once all coursework has been completed and exams have been passed successfully, applicants will be awarded their Certified Beverage Manager designation from NRAEF.

5. National Bartenders Association Certification

The National Bartenders Association (NBA) Certification is a professional certification program that recognizes the knowledge and skills of experienced bartenders. It is designed to provide bartenders with a comprehensive understanding of the craft and help them become more successful in their field.

The NBA Certification process consists of three parts: an online exam, a practical exam, and an interview. The online exam covers topics such as beverage service, customer service, bar operations, food safety, and alcohol laws. The practical exam tests the applicant's ability to mix drinks accurately and safely. Finally, the interview assesses the applicant's knowledge of industry trends and techniques.

It typically takes about six months to complete all three parts of the certification process. To get certified, applicants must first register for the program on the NBA website and pay a fee of $125 USD. After registering, they will be given access to study materials and resources to help them prepare for their exams.

Once they have passed all three parts of the certification process, they will receive their official NBA Certification Card which is valid for two years from date of issue. They will also be listed in the National Bartenders Association directory so potential employers can easily find them when hiring new staff members.

6. International Bartenders Association Certification

The International Bartenders Association (IBA) Certification is an internationally recognized qualification that demonstrates a bartender’s knowledge and expertise in the craft of bartending. It is a voluntary certification program that tests and verifies a bartender’s skills in making cocktails, serving drinks, and providing customer service.

The IBA Certification is obtained by taking an online exam that covers topics such as alcohol laws and regulations, drink recipes, bar equipment, customer service, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. Once the exam is passed with a score of 80% or higher, the individual will be awarded the IBA Certified Bartender designation.

The cost to take the IBA Certification exam varies depending on where you take it. Most testing centers charge between $100-$200 for the exam fee. Additionally, some schools offer courses in bartending that include the IBA Certification exam as part of their curriculum; these courses usually cost anywhere from $500-$1000 depending on the school.

Overall, obtaining the IBA Certification can take anywhere from one day to several weeks depending on when you are able to take the exam and how quickly you are able to study for it.

7. Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)

Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of hospitality supervisors. The CHS certification is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

The CHS program consists of an online course that covers topics such as customer service, human resources management, financial management, operational effectiveness, and leadership. The course is designed to prepare supervisors for higher-level roles in the hospitality industry. After completing the coursework, candidates must pass a proctored exam in order to receive their certification.

The online course typically takes between 8-12 weeks to complete depending on the individual's learning style and availability. The cost of the program varies depending on where it is taken but generally ranges from $400-$800 USD. After passing the exam, there is an additional fee of $75 USD for processing and issuing the certificate.

In order to obtain the CHS certification, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements which include having at least two years of full-time work experience in a supervisory role in a hotel or lodging establishment or having completed an AHLEI approved hospitality education program.

8. Professional Bartender Training Program

A Professional Bartender Training Program is a comprehensive course designed to teach individuals the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful bartender. The program typically includes instruction on mixing drinks, customer service, alcohol safety, and other related topics. It may also include hands-on experience in a real bar setting.

The length of the program varies depending on the institution offering it. Most programs are between six weeks and three months long. Some institutions offer accelerated courses that can be completed in as little as one week.

To get a Professional Bartender Training Program, you will need to find an institution offering the course. Many community colleges, vocational schools, and private bartending schools offer these types of programs. You can also find online courses offered by some institutions.

The cost of the program depends on the institution offering it and how long it takes to complete it. Generally speaking, most programs range from $500-$2000 USD for tuition and fees. Some online courses may have lower costs than traditional classroom-based programs.

9. BarSmarts Advanced Certification

BarSmarts Advanced Certification is a comprehensive online course designed to help bartenders and bar professionals master the craft of mixology. The program consists of five modules that cover topics such as spirits, cocktails, beer, wine, and service. It takes approximately 10 hours to complete the course, which includes interactive video lessons, quizzes, and practice tests. To get certified, you must pass an exam with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost of BarSmarts Advanced Certification is $199 USD. You can purchase the certification directly from the BarSmarts website or through other online retailers. Once you have purchased the certification, you will be able to access all five modules and take the exam at your convenience. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive a certificate of completion and digital badge that can be displayed on your professional profile or website.

10. Society of Wine Educators Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS)

The Certified Specialist of Spirits (CSS) is a certification program offered by the Society of Wine Educators. The CSS is designed to provide individuals with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the history, production, and evaluation of distilled spirits from around the world. This certification is ideal for those who are looking to expand their knowledge base in order to become more knowledgeable about spirits and increase their value as an educator or consultant in the industry.

The CSS program consists of a self-study course, which can be completed at your own pace, followed by a two-day exam that tests your knowledge on all aspects of distilled spirits. The exam is administered twice a year at various locations across the United States. To receive certification, you must pass both parts of the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

In order to take the exam, you must be 21 years old and have either completed the self-study course or have equivalent experience in spirits education. You will also need to pay an application fee and an examination fee when registering for the exam.

The cost of taking the CSS exam varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of the Society of Wine Educators. For members, it costs $295 for both parts of the exam while non-members pay $395 for both parts. Once you have passed both parts of the exam, there is an annual renewal fee that must be paid each year in order to maintain your certification status.

Do You Really Need a Bar Manager Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need a bar manager certificate to become a successful bar manager. However, having such a certificate can be beneficial in many ways. A bar manager certificate can provide validation of your knowledge and skills as a bar manager, demonstrate your commitment to the profession, and provide employers with confidence in your ability to manage their business.

First and foremost, having a bar manager certificate shows that you have taken the time and effort to learn the skills necessary for success in this field. It demonstrates that you have studied topics related to bartending safety, customer service, inventory management, liquor laws and regulations, and more. This is an important signal to potential employers that you are serious about your job and that you know what it takes to run a successful bar.

Second, having a bar manager certificate can give employers confidence in your abilities. By showing them that you have taken the initiative to gain additional knowledge related to managing bars or restaurants, they will be more likely to hire you for positions of increasing responsibility or even for higher-level roles within their organization. This type of certification also serves as evidence that you are committed to staying current on industry trends and best practices for running a successful business.

Finally, having a bar manager certificate may open up opportunities for career advancement or even help you land new jobs with other companies. Employers often look favorably upon applicants who possess additional certifications or credentials beyond just the basic qualifications needed for the position. Having this certification may set you apart from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions and make it easier for employers to take notice of your qualifications.

In conclusion, while having a bar manager certificate is not necessary in order to become a successful bar manager, it can certainly help provide validation of your knowledge and skills as well as give employers confidence in your ability to manage their business effectively. For those looking to advance their career or stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions, obtaining such a certification may be worth considering.

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FAQs About Bar Manager Certifications

1. What is a Bar Manager Certification?

Answer: A Bar Manager Certification is a certification that demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to manage a bar effectively. It typically includes training in customer service, liquor laws and regulations, food safety, financial management, and other topics related to running a successful bar.

2. How do I become certified as a Bar Manager?

Answer: To become certified as a Bar Manager, you will need to complete an accredited certification program or course that covers the specific areas of knowledge and skills necessary for managing a bar. You may also need to pass an exam that tests your understanding of the material covered in the program or course.

3. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a Bar Manager?

Answer: Yes, most programs or courses require you to have prior experience working in a bar setting before taking the certification exam. Additionally, some programs may require you to have completed formal education such as completing high school or college classes related to business management or hospitality.

4. How long does it take to become certified as a Bar Manager?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified depends on the program or course chosen and how quickly you can complete the required material. Generally speaking, most programs can be completed within 6-12 months depending on how much time you dedicate each week towards studying and practicing what you learn in class.

5. Is there an expiration date for my Bar Manager Certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifications are valid for two years from the date they were issued and must be renewed by taking additional classes or passing an updated version of the exam every two years in order to remain active.