Server Certificates

Server ordinance information for
OWNERS AND MANAGERS

Server ordinance information for
EMPLOYEES

On November 19, 2012, the Columbia City Council approved an ordinance requiring all persons serving alcohol in the City of Columbia to obtain a server certificate.  This applies to persons serving alcohol by the package (e.g. grocery stores and convenience stores) and by the drink (e.g. bars and restaurants).

The goal of this program is to get servers the information and tools they need to serve alcohol responsibly. This will result in:

• reduced liability for servers and businesses
• a decrease underage drinking and binge drinking
• fewer alcohol related accidents, including nighttime DWI crashes
• less crime (property damage, assault, sexual assault)

The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services is now issuing server certificates. To get a server certificate, all persons serving alcohol in the City of Columbia need to:

1. Complete a responsible beverage server training program approved by the City. This includes the free, on-line State of Missouri Alcohol Responsibility Training (SMART), designed for all sellers and servers of alcohol. Your employer may require a certain type of training. If so, be sure to ask if it is approved by the City.
2. After you’ve completed an approved training, you will need complete an application at the Department of Public Health and Human Services, provide proof of completion of the required training (within 12 months of the application), and pay the server certificate fee. The server certificate fee is $5.00 for each new or renewed server certificate and $5.00 for each duplicate server certificate. If the server certificate is obtained in conjunction with a food handler permit the $5.00 fee will be waived.

Servers who also get a food handler permit can get a badge/card with both endorsements included on the same card. Like the food handler permit, the server certificate will be valid for three years from the date it is issued and must be displayed in all establishments in which you are working.

Please Note: All persons serving alcohol in Columbia must obtain a server certificate by January 1, 2014. After that, servers will have 30 days from the start of employment to obtain a certificate.

For questions or more information, please contact:

Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services

Environmental Public Health Unit

573.874.7346

EPH@gocolumbiamo.com