California Retail alcohol License: Requirements, Cost & How to Apply (2026)

California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

Alcoholic Beverage Control

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.abc.ca.gov/licensing/license-types/

License Types

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.abc.ca.gov/licensing/apply-for-a-new-license/

Apply for a New License

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

All licenses may be renewed by paying the required renewal fee before the license expires.

All licenses may be renewed by paying the required renewal fee before the license expires. Applies to: Retail ABC licenses.

All licenses may be renewed by paying the required renewal fee before the license expires.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

On-premises alcohol servers and their managers must obtain RBS certification within 60 days of employment. Off-sale LEAD training is voluntary at state level; local requirements may apply.

On-premises alcohol servers and their managers must obtain RBS certification within 60 days of employment. Off-sale LEAD training is voluntary at state level; local requirements may apply.

Alcohol servers and managers have 60 days from their date of employment to complete their RBS certification. Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) is ABC’s free voluntary prevention and education program for employees and licensees of off-sale locations such as liquor stores, convenience stores, and gas stations. Although some local governments currently require alcohol servers working in their jurisdictions to attend a LEAD course

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

For RBS server certification: pass the ABC exam with at least 70% within 30 days of confirmed training; three attempts are allowed.

For RBS server certification: pass the ABC exam with at least 70% within 30 days of confirmed training; three attempts are allowed.

You have three attempts to pass your exam with a score of 70% or better within 30 days of your confirmed training.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Common off-sale licenses are Type 20 (beer and wine) and Type 21 (general). On-sale restaurant licenses include Type 41 (beer and wine) and Type 47 (general); bars include Type 42 and Type 48.

Common off-sale licenses are Type 20 (beer and wine) and Type 21 (general). On-sale restaurant licenses include Type 41 (beer and wine) and Type 47 (general); bars include Type 42 and Type 48.

20 - Off-Sale Beer & Wine 21 - Off-Sale General 41 - On-Sale Beer & Wine - Eating Place 42 - On-Sale Beer & Wine - Public Premises 47 - On-Sale General - Eating Place 48 - On-Sale General - Public Premises

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Application fees depend on license type and whether the application is a priority award, new license or transfer. Required annual license fees are additional.

Application fees depend on license type and whether the application is a priority award, new license or transfer. Required annual license fees are additional.

application fees for original licenses, transfers of existing licenses, and various operating permits that ABC issues. If annual fees are required, they are collected at the time of application submission, in addition to the application fee. General – Priority (Types 21, 47, 48, 57, 71, 72, 75, 87, 88) Available only to priority drawing winners.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

RBS is an individual certification valid for three years; renew it before expiration.

RBS is an individual certification valid for three years; renew it before expiration.

Yes, certifications are valid for three years. Your certification must be renewed prior to its expiration to remain valid.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Effective January 1, 2026, annual fees are $500 for Type 20 off-sale beer and wine and $1,009 for Type 21 off-sale general; the schedule includes applicable surcharges for these types.

Effective January 1, 2026, annual fees are $500 for Type 20 off-sale beer and wine and $1,009 for Type 21 off-sale general; the schedule includes applicable surcharges for these types.

The following annual fee schedule includes all applicable surcharges (except for Type 67 and 80 Effective January 1, 2026 20 Off-Sale Beer & Wine | $500 21 Off-Sale General | $1,009

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

General – Priority (Types 21, 47, 48, 57, 71, 72, 75, 87, 88) Available only to priority drawing winners. | $19,840 | Yes The most common non-general licenses are Types 20, 41, and 42. Non-General (Except Types 06, 26, 28, 82, 94) | $1,135 | Yes If annual fees are required, they are collected at the time of application submission, in addition to the application fee.

For 2026, an original non-general application for common Types 20, 41 or 42 is $1,135; original priority general applications, including Types 21, 47 and 48, are $19,840 and available only to drawing winners. Annual fees are additional.

General – Priority (Types 21, 47, 48, 57, 71, 72, 75, 87, 88) Available only to priority drawing winners. | $19,840 | Yes The most common non-general licenses are Types 20, 41, and 42. Non-General (Except Types 06, 26, 28, 82, 94) | $1,135 | Yes If annual fees are required, they are collected at the time of application submission, in addition to the application fee.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026