Oregon Alcohol Server Education & OLCC Service Permit

Oregon requires all individuals who serve, sell, mix, or supervise the service of alcohol to hold a valid OLCC Service Permit. This requirement is statewide and applies to restaurants, bars, tasting rooms, breweries, distilleries, grocery stores, and special events.

To obtain a permit, employees must complete an OLCC-approved Alcohol Server Education course and pass the official OLCC exam. Certification is valid for 5 years, making it one of the longest renewal cycles in the United States.

Steps to Be Compliant in Oregon:

1. Create an online account in the OLCC Alcohol Service Permit Portal:
   Applicants must register in the OLCC portal to begin the permit application process and access approved providers.
2. Complete an OLCC-approved Alcohol Server Education course:
   Training covers Oregon liquor laws, identifying minors, checking IDs, recognizing intoxication, intervention/refusal techniques, and service responsibilities.
3. Pass the OLCC final exam:
   After completing training, individuals must take and pass the official OLCC exam in their online account.
4. Submit the service permit application & pay the fee:
   Once the exam is passed, applicants finalize the permit application through the OLCC portal.
5. Renew every 5 years:
   Oregon service permits are valid for five years. All employees must retake the course and exam before expiration.

Program Benefits:

1. Mandatory Statewide Compliance
Oregon law requires a valid OLCC Service Permit for all employees involved in selling or serving alcohol. Businesses must ensure all staff are certified before working unsupervised.

2. Strong Legal & Liability Protection
The OLCC program significantly reduces risk by ensuring employees understand Oregon’s unique alcohol laws, including ID checking, intoxication signs, and refusal obligations.

3. Uniform Statewide Standards
Every server, seller, and manager receives the same OLCC-approved curriculum — promoting consistent compliance and operational safety.

4. Straightforward Digital Tracking
Service permits, renewals, and exam results are all maintained digitally in the OLCC system, making compliance easy for employers to verify.

5. Long 5-Year Certification Cycle
Oregon’s five-year renewal period is one of the longest in the country, reducing retraining frequency and lowering compliance costs for businesses.