California requires every on-premises alcohol server to hold an ABC-approved Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) certification under Assembly Bill 1221. As of May 9, 2026, there are 47 ABC-approved online RBS providers in California. Course prices range from $6.99 to $19.99, plus a $3 California ABC state exam fee.
Certs University automatically matches the lowest verified ABC-approved competitor price across all 47 providers — currently $6.99 — with a 97.44% pass rate and approximately 2-hour completion time.
Full comparison of all 47 providers is below, ranked by price.
| Provider | Price | Price Verified | ABC Approved | Pass Rate | Format | Enroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Best Value
Certs University
CERTSUNIVERSITY LLC |
$6.99 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
10/02/2024 |
97.44% | Online | Enroll Now → |
|
TAP Series
Foodservice Operators Training Achievement Program Series, LLC |
$6.99 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
02/28/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
American Course Academy
American Course Academy, LLC |
$6.99 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
10/04/2024 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
$8 RBS Training
AAA Trainers LLC |
$7.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
06/23/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Rserving
Professional Server Certification Corp. |
$8.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
03/29/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Accelerated California RBS Server Training
MyFreeCE, Inc. |
$8.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
01/26/2024 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
| Certify Fast LLC | $8.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
06/06/2023 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Seller Server Classes
EduClasses® |
$9.00 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
05/28/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
AffordableRBSCourse.com
Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc. |
$9.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
12/09/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
LIQUORexam.com
ProServe Training Solutions LLC |
$9.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
03/29/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
RBS California
Jerry Wang |
$9.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
10/17/2023 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
NA
Foodservice Training Portal, LLC |
$9.98 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
05/25/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Ace My Training
Acemytraining, LLC |
$9.99 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
08/16/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
ABC Permits
Alcohol Intervention and Management LLC |
$10.00 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
06/02/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Budget Compliance Training
WEBFIRE TRAINING LLC |
$10.00 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
01/16/2025 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Craft Serving
Craft Serving, LLC |
$10.00 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
07/05/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Premier Food Safety
Premier Food Safety Corporation |
$11.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
08/24/2023 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Courses for Servers
Courses for Continuing Education LLC |
$11.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
03/17/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
NA
Food Service Prep LLC |
$11.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
07/05/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Trouble Free Training
Courses for Continuing Education LLC |
$11.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
07/09/2025 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
| PA Hospitality and Consulting, LLC | $11.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
07/23/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Responsible Training
Safeway Certifications, LLC |
$11.99 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
10/05/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
| 1st Choice CE, LLC | $11.99 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
01/18/2024 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
| Serving Alcohol Inc | $11.99 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
02/14/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
#1 Premiere CE
Advanced Associates |
$12.00 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
09/10/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
StateFoodSafety
AboveTraining Inc. |
$12.00 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
07/27/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
A+ Server Education
WDRJR LLC |
$12.50 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
04/09/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Way To Serve
Wedge Communications, LLC |
$12.50 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
07/19/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
RBSTrainingCA.com
Brainy Day Learning LLC |
$12.50 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
01/21/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
DRINKWISE America
DRINKWISE America LLC |
$12.79 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
05/19/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Ready Training Online
Ready Training, Inc |
$12.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
03/29/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Certus
American Safety Council, Inc. |
$12.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
04/16/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
RBSPermit.com
Diversys Learning, Inc. |
$12.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
03/29/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
1st Choice RBS
ServeSmart LLC. |
$12.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
12/02/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Comedy Seller Server
Comedy Education, LLC |
$12.99 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
05/17/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Get RBS
MindMeld Studios, LLC |
$12.99 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
03/29/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
Comedy RBS
Comedy Education, LLC |
$12.99 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
07/27/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
NA
RBS BUDDY LLC |
$13.60 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
06/17/2025 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
| Jerry R Jolly and Associates LLC | $15.00 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
12/15/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
T.A.M® (Techniques of Alcohol Management)
National Hospitality Institute |
$15.00 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
03/17/2025 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
ServSafe Alcohol
National Restaurant Association Solutions Alcohol, LLC |
$15.00 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
03/16/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
TIPS
360training.com, Inc. |
$15.00 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
03/11/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
AACEA.COM
Americas Alcohol Certified Education Association Inc |
$15.95 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
08/05/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
userve.com
Userve Inc |
$19.99 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
12/01/2021 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
ABC Server Training
ABC Server Training LLC |
$19.99 | ✅ May 2026 |
✅
02/11/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
California-Bartending.com - Alcohol Server Certification
TEAM W LLC |
Not listed
Not publicly shown — check provider site |
✅ May 2026 |
✅
12/15/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
|
B and H
Seungok Ahn |
Not listed
Not publicly shown — check provider site |
✅ May 2026 |
✅
10/04/2022 |
— | Online | Visit Site → |
Which California RBS course is cheapest?
Certs University at $6.99 is currently the lowest verified ABC-approved California RBS course price. We are tied with 2 other verified providers at this price — see the table above to compare them on other criteria.
Certs University automatically matches the lowest verified ABC-approved competitor price across all 47 providers, so we are always among the lowest available.
Prices for online RBS training in California range from $6.99 to $19.99. Note that California also charges a separate $3 state exam fee paid directly to the California ABC during server registration on the RBS Portal — this is not included in any provider's course price.
Which California RBS course is best?
"Best" depends on your priorities. Here is what Certs University offers — compare these criteria against any provider in the table above to evaluate the best fit for your needs:
- Price: $6.99 (auto-matched to the lowest verified ABC-approved competitor)
- Pass rate: 97.44% average across our 107+ verified student reviews
- Completion time: approximately 2 hours, fully self-paced
- Format: 100% online, accessible on desktop, tablet, or mobile
- ABC approval: Training Program ID 313344334, approved October 2024
- Languages: English (other languages available from other ABC-approved providers — see the official list)
We do not publish comparative claims about competitor pass rates because providers are not required to disclose them. The table above shows pass rate where a provider has made it publicly available.
Are all California RBS providers ABC-approved?
Yes — every provider listed in this comparison is approved by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Provider data is sourced directly from the official California ABC approved providers list, which the state refreshes daily. The "ABC Approved" column shows each provider's approval date.
Using a non-approved provider means your certification will not count toward California's RBS requirement under AB 1221. Servers and managers must complete training from an ABC-approved provider, then pass the state exam on the California RBS Portal within 30 days. Always verify approval status against the official list before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does California RBS training cost?
California RBS online courses cost between $6.99 and $19.99 among ABC-approved providers, plus a $3 state exam fee paid to California ABC. Certs University charges $6.99 and price-matches to the lowest verified competitor.
What is the cheapest ABC-approved RBS course in California?
Certs University at $6.99 is among the lowest verified ABC-approved options as of May 9, 2026. We automatically match the lowest verified competitor price across all 47 ABC-approved providers, so the table above always shows the current floor.
What is the best California RBS online course?
"Best" depends on your priority. Certs University offers a verified 97.44% pass rate across 107+ student reviews, approximately 2-hour completion, and a price of $6.99 (auto-matched to the lowest verified competitor). Use the table above to compare these criteria against any other ABC-approved provider.
How long does the California RBS course take?
Most online California RBS courses take between 1 and 4 hours to complete. They are self-paced, so you can start and stop as needed. Certs University's course is designed for completion in approximately 2 hours.
Are all listed providers approved by California ABC?
Yes. Every provider in this comparison is sourced from the official California ABC approved providers list, which is refreshed daily. The "ABC Approved" column shows each provider's approval date from the official list.
Is the $3 state exam fee included in the course price?
No. The $3 California ABC state exam fee is paid separately during server registration on the California RBS Portal and is not included in any provider's listed course price. Total cost = course price + $3 state fee.
How long is California RBS certification valid?
California RBS certification is valid for 3 years. After expiration, you must retake the course and pass the state exam again to maintain compliance.
Can I take the California RBS course in Spanish or another language?
Yes — the official California ABC list includes providers offering training in Spanish, Korean, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), and Vietnamese. This comparison page focuses on English-language online courses. For other languages, see the full official list on the ABC site.
What happens if I take training from a non-approved provider?
Training from a non-approved provider does not count toward California's RBS requirement under Assembly Bill 1221. You must use an ABC-approved provider — every provider in this comparison is approved.
Where does this comparison data come from?
The provider list comes directly from the California ABC official approved providers list (refreshed daily). Prices are manually verified by the Certs University team by visiting each provider's website. Last updated: May 9, 2026.
How We Collect This Data
The provider list is sourced directly from the California ABC official approved providers list, which refreshes daily. We manually visit each provider's website and record the publicly listed course price. Prices are re-verified periodically and timestamped.
If a price is not publicly listed on a provider's website, we show "Not listed" rather than guessing. Spot an error? Let us know →
- Provider list: California ABC (abcbiz.abc.ca.gov) — official government source
- Prices: Manually verified by Certs University team
- Pass rates: Self-reported by providers where publicly available
- Last updated: May 9, 2026
Certs University is itself an ABC-approved RBS training provider (Training Program ID: 313344334, approved October 2024). This comparison is maintained independently and aims to be accurate; verify current pricing directly with each provider before purchasing. Provider approval status sourced from California ABC official records.
