Top 10 Bartender Certifications

Certifications for bartenders are important because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and competence in the field that employers look for. Bartending certifications show potential employers that you have the necessary skills and experience to be successful in the position. They also provide a way to increase your earning potential and make yourself more marketable to employers. Certifications can help you stand out from other applicants, demonstrate your commitment to the profession, and give you an edge in a competitive job market.

The purpose of this article is to review the best certifications for bartenders and discuss how they can help advance their career.

What are Bartender Certifications?

Bartender certification is a course of study designed to teach aspiring bartenders the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities needed to serve alcoholic beverages responsibly and professionally. It provides an understanding of alcohol safety, proper service techniques, responsible beverage service methods, and legal regulations related to the serving of alcoholic beverages. This type of certification program prepares individuals for a career in the service industry.

Bartender certification can help those who wish to pursue a career as a bartender or in any other area in the hospitality industry by providing them with a solid foundation of knowledge related to alcohol safety and responsible beverage service practices. By taking courses that focus on these topics, individuals will be able to better understand their role in providing safe and enjoyable experiences for customers while also understanding their responsibilities as servers when it comes to preventing over-consumption or irresponsible consumption of alcoholic beverages. Additionally, those who obtain bartender certification have an advantage when it comes to finding employment since employers are more likely to hire certified bartenders due to their increased level of knowledge and experience related to serving alcoholic beverages.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the bartender certification requirements in your state before signing up for a course. Different states have different requirements, so you want to make sure that the certification you receive will be accepted and recognized in your area.

Related: What does a Bartender do?

Top 10 Bartender Certifications

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

1. National Restaurant Association's ServSafe Alcohol Certification

The National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe Alcohol Certification is a program designed to help restaurant and bar employees learn how to serve alcohol responsibly and safely. The program covers topics such as checking IDs, recognizing signs of intoxication, handling difficult situations, and preventing second-party sales. It also provides information on state and local laws related to serving alcohol.

The ServSafe Alcohol Certification is valid for five years from the date of completion. To obtain the certification, individuals must complete an online course or attend a classroom-based training session. The online course takes approximately four hours to complete while the classroom-based training session runs for six hours.

The cost of the certification varies depending on the type of course chosen. The online course costs $45 while the classroom-based training session costs $75.

2. Professional Bartender Training Certification

Professional Bartender Training Certification is a program designed to teach bartenders the skills and knowledge necessary to provide excellent customer service, mix drinks, and create specialty cocktails. The certification usually takes between one and three days to complete. During the course, students will learn about alcohol safety and responsible serving practices, customer service techniques, drink mixing methods, garnishing techniques, menu design, and more.

To get certified as a professional bartender, individuals must first enroll in an accredited bartending school or program. Most schools offer both online and in-person classes. After completing the coursework, students must pass an exam administered by the school or program provider in order to receive their certificate of completion.

The cost of Professional Bartender Training Certification varies depending on the school or program provider. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $100-$500 for a single course or up to several thousand dollars for a full certification program.

3. Advanced Mixology Certification

Advanced Mixology Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize the skills and knowledge of experienced bartenders. It is offered by the United States Bartenders Guild (USBG), a nonprofit organization that provides education, training, and resources for bartenders. The certification requires successful completion of an online course, which covers topics such as spirits, cocktails, beer and wine service, customer service, bar management, and more.

The Advanced Mixology Certification takes approximately two weeks to complete. To get certified, applicants must first sign up for the USBG’s online course and create an account. Once registered, they can access the course materials at their own pace and complete all required assignments. Upon successful completion of the coursework and passing of a final exam with a score of 80% or higher, applicants will receive their Advanced Mixology Certification from USBG.

The cost for the Advanced Mixology Certification varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of USBG. For members, it costs $125; for non-members it costs $200.

4. International Bartenders Association (IBA) Certified Professional Bartender

The International Bartenders Association (IBA) Certified Professional Bartender is a certification program that recognizes the knowledge and skill of bartenders who demonstrate excellence in their craft. It is an internationally recognized qualification for professional bartenders, and it takes approximately one month to complete.

To become IBA Certified, bartenders must first complete a minimum of 20 hours of training from an accredited IBA school or program. This training covers topics such as bar management, customer service, drink preparation techniques, and alcohol safety. Once the required training has been completed, applicants must pass a written exam to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions about the topics covered in the training course.

Once certified, bartenders can use their IBA certification to demonstrate their expertise to employers and customers alike. The cost of becoming IBA Certified varies depending on the school or program chosen; however, most programs range from $200-$500 USD.

5. Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 Award in Spirits

The Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 Award in Spirits is a qualification that provides an introduction to the world of spirits. It is designed for those who have little or no prior knowledge, but wish to gain a deeper understanding of the subject. The course covers topics such as the production methods and styles of different spirits, how to taste and evaluate them, and how to serve and store them.

The course takes around 20 hours of study time, which can be completed over several weeks or months depending on your schedule. You can take the course either online or in-person at a WSET-approved provider. The cost of the course varies depending on where you take it, but typically ranges from £200 - £400.

To get certified, you must pass an exam consisting of multiple choice questions and tasting tasks. Upon successful completion, you will receive a WSET certificate and lapel pin.

6. The United States Bartenders Guild (USBG) National Certificate Program

The United States Bartenders Guild (USBG) National Certificate Program is a comprehensive program designed to provide bartenders with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful professionals. The program consists of three levels: Certified Professional Bartender (CPB), Advanced Professional Bartender (APB), and Master Professional Bartender (MPB). Each level requires a certain number of hours of study, as well as an exam that must be passed in order to receive certification.

To get the CPB certification, you must complete at least 40 hours of coursework and pass an exam. To get the APB certification, you must complete at least 80 hours of coursework and pass an exam. To get the MPB certification, you must complete at least 120 hours of coursework and pass an exam.

The cost for the USBG National Certificate Program varies depending on which level you are seeking certification for. For CPB, the cost is $300; for APB, it is $500; and for MPB, it is $700.

In addition to completing the required coursework and passing the exams for each level, you will also need to have a valid driver’s license or government-issued ID card in order to apply for any of these certifications.

Once all requirements have been met, it typically takes about 2-3 weeks to receive your certificate from USBG after submitting your application materials.

7. BarSmarts Advanced Certification

BarSmarts Advanced Certification is a comprehensive program designed to provide bartenders with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful in their profession. The program is offered through the USBG (United States Bartenders Guild) and consists of three courses: BarSmarts Foundations, BarSmarts Advanced, and BarSmarts Professional.

The BarSmarts Foundations course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of bartending, including topics such as spirits, mixology, customer service, and bar operations. This course can be completed in one day or two evenings.

The BarSmarts Advanced course builds on the concepts learned in the Foundations course by introducing more advanced techniques for creating cocktails, working with customers, and managing a bar. This course takes approximately four days to complete.

The final course in the program is BarSmarts Professional. This course focuses on developing professional skills such as problem solving and decision making as well as honing existing skills for creating cocktails and providing excellent customer service. This course takes approximately five days to complete.

In order to receive certification from USBG for completing all three courses, participants must pass a written exam at the end of each course as well as a practical exam at the end of the Professional Course. Upon successful completion of all three courses, participants will receive an official certificate from USBG indicating they have achieved BarSmarts Advanced Certification status.

The cost for each individual course varies depending on location but typically ranges from $200-$400 per person.

8. Flair Bartending Certification

Flair Bartending Certification is a certification program that teaches bartenders the art of flair bartending. Flair bartending is a style of bartending that involves performing tricks and stunts with bottles, shakers, and other bar tools. The certification program teaches students how to perform basic flair moves, as well as more advanced techniques.

The certification program typically takes two days to complete, although some schools offer accelerated courses that can be completed in one day. During the course, students learn about safety precautions, proper technique for performing tricks, and how to create visually appealing drinks. The course also covers topics such as customer service and working with different types of alcohol.

To get certified in flair bartending, you must first find an accredited school or training program offering the certification course. Most programs cost between $200-$500 depending on the length of the course and any additional materials needed. Once you have completed the course successfully, you will receive your official flair bartending certification from the school or training program.

In addition to completing a certified course, many employers may require applicants to demonstrate their flair skills before they are hired. This usually involves performing several tricks in front of a panel of judges or potential employers during an audition process.

9. Bar Management and Operations Certificate Program

A Bar Management and Operations Certificate Program is an educational program designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to manage a bar or restaurant. The program typically takes between six months and one year to complete, depending on the school and the student’s schedule.

The curriculum of a Bar Management and Operations Certificate Program includes topics such as food safety, liquor laws, customer service, inventory management, marketing strategies, financial management, and beverage production. Students also learn about wine and beer selection, mixology techniques, responsible alcohol service procedures, and how to create signature drinks.

To get a Bar Management and Operations Certificate Program, students must first apply to an accredited college or university that offers the program. Once accepted into the program, students must complete all required courses with passing grades in order to receive their certificate.

The cost of a Bar Management and Operations Certificate Program can vary depending on the school that offers it. Generally speaking, tuition for this type of program ranges from $3,000-$5,000 for the entire duration of the program. Additional costs such as books may also be applicable.

10. Professional Cocktail Course from the American Bartending School

The Professional Cocktail Course from the American Bartending School is a comprehensive program designed to teach students the fundamentals of bartending. The course covers topics such as bar setup, drink recipes, customer service, and alcohol safety. It also includes hands-on training in mixing drinks, garnishing cocktails, and preparing shots.

The course typically takes around 40 hours to complete. Students can take the course either in person at one of the American Bartending School’s locations or online through their virtual classroom. In-person classes are held on Saturdays and Sundays for four consecutive weekends. Online classes are self-paced and can be completed at any time.

To enroll in the Professional Cocktail Course from the American Bartending School, students must first fill out an enrollment form on their website or contact one of their representatives directly. Once enrolled, students will receive access to all materials needed for the course including textbooks, videos, practice tests, and more.

The cost of the Professional Cocktail Course from the American Bartending School is $399 USD for both in-person and online classes. This fee includes all materials needed for completion of the course as well as a certificate of completion upon successful completion of all requirements.

Do You Really Need a Bartender Certificate?

Whether or not you need a bartender certificate is ultimately up to you and the requirements of the bar or restaurant you want to work in. Generally speaking, most bars and restaurants will not require that you have a formal certification in order to be hired as a bartender. However, having a certificate can be beneficial for several reasons.

First, having a certification shows potential employers that you have taken the time to learn about bartending and understand the basics of mixology. It demonstrates your commitment to the profession, which can help set you apart from other applicants when applying for jobs. Furthermore, many employers prefer applicants who have taken courses or attended seminars on bartending because it indicates that they have already developed some basic skills and knowledge about the job.

A second benefit of having a bartender certificate is that it can provide valuable insight into different types of drinks and recipes. Many bartending certifications include classes on different spirits and liqueurs, as well as tips on creating unique cocktails and recipes. This knowledge can be invaluable when working in a bar or restaurant setting—it allows bartenders to create interesting drinks that customers are sure to enjoy!

Finally, having a bartender certificate may also increase your earning potential. While there is no guarantee that employers will pay more for certified bartenders, having certification may give you an edge over other applicants in terms of salary negotiation. Ultimately, though, whether or not you need a bartender certificate depends on your individual circumstances—if it’s something that interests you and will help boost your career prospects then it’s worth considering getting one!

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FAQs About Bartender Certifications

1. What is a Bartender Certification?

Answer: A bartender certification is an official document attesting to an individual's knowledge and skills in the field of bartending. It is typically issued by a professional organization or training provider, and serves as proof of competency in the area of bartending.

2. How long does it take to get a Bartender Certification?

Answer: The amount of time needed to obtain a bartender certification varies depending on the type of program chosen and the individual's level of experience. Generally, most programs can be completed in less than four weeks.

3. Is there an age requirement for getting a Bartender Certification?

Answer: Yes, most organizations require individuals to be at least 18 years old before they can become certified bartenders. However, some states may have different requirements so it is important to check with your local laws before enrolling in a program.

4. What are the benefits of having a Bartender Certification?

Answer: Having a bartender certification can help you stand out from other job applicants when searching for employment opportunities in the hospitality industry. Additionally, it can provide you with access to exclusive networking events and help you stay up-to-date on current trends and techniques in bartending. Finally, having this certification may also open up more career advancement opportunities within the industry.

5. How much does it cost to get certified as a bartender?

Answer: The cost of obtaining a bartender certification varies depending on the type of program chosen and any additional fees associated with it (e.g., course materials). Generally speaking, however, most programs range from $200 - $1000 USD or more depending on what’s included in the package.