Do all bartenders and servers in DC need alcohol training?

DC law requires Board-approved alcohol awareness training for ABC Manager license holders. Many employers also require it for servers, so ask your manager.

Which courses does ABCA accept?

Only courses from the independently run providers on ABCA's approved list. Contact the providers directly for schedules.

How long is a DC ABC Manager license valid?

Three years from the date it is issued. Training must also be renewed every three years.

Does a manager have to be on site?

Yes. The owner or a Board-approved manager must be present at all times during hours of sale, with a few exceptions such as when no alcohol is on the premises.

DC ABC Manager Alcohol Training Practice Test 2026

Question 1 of 22

Which agency handles alcohol licensing, including ABC Manager licenses, in the District of Columbia?

The DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)
The DC Department of Health
The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA)
The Metropolitan Police Department

Show answer

Answer: C. The Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA)

ABCA, formerly known as ABRA, processes alcohol licenses and keeps the list of approved alcohol awareness training programs.

Question 2 of 22

Who must complete an alcohol awareness training program from a Board-approved provider in DC?

Applicants for an ABC Manager license
Every customer
Only delivery drivers
Only security guards who check ID at the door

Show answer

Answer: A. Applicants for an ABC Manager license

ABC Manager license applicants must provide a certificate from an ABC Board-approved alcohol awareness training program.

Question 3 of 22

A DC ABC Manager applicant took an online alcohol course from a company that is not on ABCA's approved list. Will ABCA accept it?

Yes, if it was free
Only if the course was in person
No, ABCA accepts certifications only from the programs on its approved list
Yes, any course counts

Show answer

Answer: C. No, ABCA accepts certifications only from the programs on its approved list

ABCA says it will accept certifications only from the independently run programs it lists.

Question 4 of 22

How recent must the alcohol awareness training certificate be when you apply for an ABC Manager license?

Any date is fine
Dated within six months of the application
Dated within the last week
Dated within the last 10 years from the same provider

Show answer

Answer: B. Dated within six months of the application

The application requires a certificate dated within six months of the submission date.

Question 5 of 22

What is the minimum age to apply for a DC ABC Manager license?

20
19
18
21

Show answer

Answer: D. 21

Applicants for an ABC Manager license must be at least 21 years old.

Question 6 of 22

How long is a permanent DC ABC Manager license valid?

For life
2 years
3 years from the date of issuance
1 year

Show answer

Answer: C. 3 years from the date of issuance

Permanent ABC Manager licenses are valid for three years from issuance.

Question 7 of 22

How often must a DC ABC manager renew their alcohol training certification?

Every three years from the initial certification date
Every year
Every ten years
Never

Show answer

Answer: A. Every three years from the initial certification date

DC Code section 25-120 requires managers to recertify every three years and send a copy of the certificate to the Board.

Question 8 of 22

What does a DC manager's license authorize the holder to do?

Open a new bar without a license
Buy alcohol below retail price
Manage a licensed business
Serve alcohol after legal hours

Show answer

Answer: C. Manage a licensed business

Section 25-120 says a manager's license authorizes the holder to manage a licensed business.

Question 9 of 22

Can a DC licensed manager work for more than one licensed business?

Only on weekends
Yes, without a separate investigation, if those businesses follow the rules
Only if both businesses have the same owner
No, never

Show answer

Answer: B. Yes, without a separate investigation, if those businesses follow the rules

Section 25-120 allows a manager to work for more than one licensed business without a separate investigation.

Question 10 of 22

Who must be on the premises of a DC licensed establishment during its hours of sale?

The owner or a Board-approved manager, at all times
A police officer
No one in particular
A certified security guard licensed by the DC government

Show answer

Answer: A. The owner or a Board-approved manager, at all times

Section 25-701 requires the owner or a Board-approved manager to be present at all times during hours of sale.

Question 11 of 22

Which situation is an exception to DC's rule that an owner or approved manager must be on site?

It is a holiday
The bar is very busy
There are no alcoholic beverages on the premises
The manager is away on a short lunch break off site

Show answer

Answer: C. There are no alcoholic beverages on the premises

Section 25-701 lists exceptions such as having no alcoholic beverages on the premises.

Question 12 of 22

An applicant has everything ready except the alcohol awareness training. What can ABCA issue?

A one-year provisional license with no fee
Nothing until training is done
A permanent license
A temporary license valid for 30 days

Show answer

Answer: D. A temporary license valid for 30 days

The application allows a 30-day temporary license while training is pending.

Question 13 of 22

Who gives final approval to an ABC Manager license?

The training provider
ABCA front-desk staff alone
The applicant's employer
The ABC Board

Show answer

Answer: D. The ABC Board

ABC Manager licenses must be approved by the ABC Board. Staff cannot approve them alone.

Question 14 of 22

A DC ABC Manager license belongs to whom?

The named person who holds it
The bar where the manager works
The ABC Board
The training school

Show answer

Answer: A. The named person who holds it

The license is issued to and kept by the named person, not a venue.

Question 15 of 22

Under DC Code section 25-781, alcohol may not be sold to a person under 21 in which case?

For their own use or for the use of any other person
Only for their own use
Only in stores
Only after midnight

Show answer

Answer: A. For their own use or for the use of any other person

The law bars sales to anyone under 21, whether the drink is for them or for someone else.

Question 16 of 22

Which customers does DC law say must not be sold alcohol?

Customers who have had two drinks
Only customers who are driving
An intoxicated person, or any person who appears to be intoxicated
Customers paying by card

Show answer

Answer: C. An intoxicated person, or any person who appears to be intoxicated

Section 25-781 forbids sales to intoxicated people and to anyone who appears to be intoxicated.

Question 17 of 22

What must a DC retail licensee do if a customer is already drinking on the premises and becomes intoxicated?

Not allow the intoxicated person to keep drinking on the premises
Let them finish their drinks
Charge them double
Move them to a quieter table and keep serving them food and drinks

Show answer

Answer: A. Not allow the intoxicated person to keep drinking on the premises

Section 25-781 says retail licensees may not allow people under 21 or intoxicated people to consume alcohol on the premises.

Question 18 of 22

A DC server refuses to serve a customer who appears intoxicated. Can the customer sue the licensee for damages over the refusal?

Yes, always
Only if the refusal was in public
Only if the customer had a reservation
No, the law says the licensee is not liable for damages for refusing under this section

Show answer

Answer: D. No, the law says the licensee is not liable for damages for refusing under this section

Section 25-781 protects licensees from liability for damages arising from a lawful refusal.

Question 19 of 22

A customer cannot produce a valid ID when asked. What does DC law require?

Ask a friend to vouch for them
Serve them if they look over 30
Refuse service
Serve them beer only

Show answer

Answer: C. Refuse service

Section 25-783 requires a licensee to refuse service to anyone who fails to produce a valid identification document on request.

Question 20 of 22

What duty does DC law place on licensees about customers' ages?

To take steps reasonably necessary to find out whether a person is of legal drinking age
No duty at all
To ask only customers who look under 18
To keep a list of all customers' birthdays

Show answer

Answer: A. To take steps reasonably necessary to find out whether a person is of legal drinking age

Section 25-783 requires licensees to take reasonable steps to make sure customers are of legal drinking age.

Question 21 of 22

A minor shows a fake ID so well made that a reasonable person would believe it is valid. What does DC law give the licensee whose staff inspected it?

Immunity from all other charges
An affirmative defense
A reward
No protection

Show answer

Answer: B. An affirmative defense

Under section 25-783, the licensee has an affirmative defense if the ID inspected was of such quality that a reasonable person would believe it was valid.

Question 22 of 22

When deciding penalties for an ID-checking violation, which past violations are considered under section 25-783?

None
Prior violations within a 4-year period
All violations ever
Only violations from the same day or the same week

Show answer

Answer: B. Prior violations within a 4-year period

Section 25-783 says prior violations within four years are considered when setting the penalty.

DC ABC Manager Alcohol Training Practice Test 2026

Quick answer

What to know before the test

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Related tests