How to Get a Retail alcohol License in Pennsylvania (2026)

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/lcb/licensing

The PLCB issues, renews and validates retail and wholesale alcohol licenses.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/lcb/licensing/apply-for-a-new-license-or-permit

Apply for a New License or Permit, Transfer or Renew a License

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Alcohol service personnel hired on or after August 8, 2016 who lack RAMP server/seller training must complete it within six months and retrain before it expires.

Alcohol service personnel hired on or after August 8, 2016 who lack RAMP server/seller training must complete it within six months and retrain before it expires.

All alcohol service personnel hired on or after August 8, 2016, who are not RAMP server/seller trained, must be RAMP server/seller trained within six months of being hired and be re-trained before their current training expires.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 renew in odd-numbered years and validate in even-numbered years. Districts 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 renew in even-numbered years and validate in odd-numbered years.

Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 renew in odd-numbered years and validate in even-numbered years. Districts 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 renew in even-numbered years and validate in odd-numbered years. Applies to: District-based licenses; consult the official schedule for the district's filing and expiration dates.

Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 renew in odd-numbered years and validate in even-numbered years. Districts 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 renew in even-numbered years and validate in odd-numbered years.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

New licenses may be limited by a statutory quota; applicants apply to the PLCB Bureau of Licensing.

New licenses may be limited by a statutory quota; applicants apply to the PLCB Bureau of Licensing.

For a new license, which may be limited by a statutory quota, an applicant must apply to the PLCB Bureau of Licensing.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Newly approved managers of certain license types must complete owner/manager training within 180 days unless trained within the previous two years. Approved managers must repeat the training every two years.

Newly approved managers of certain license types must complete owner/manager training within 180 days unless trained within the previous two years. Approved managers must repeat the training every two years.

Newly approved managers of certain license types are required to complete owner/manager training within 180 days of approval of appointment by the PLCB, unless the appointed manager has successfully completed training within two years prior to being appointed a manager. Furthermore, the PLCB approved manager must renew owner/manager training every two years.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Restaurant (R) licenses authorize beer, wine and spirits for consumption on the premises.

Restaurant (R) licenses authorize beer, wine and spirits for consumption on the premises.

R licenses are permitted to sell and serve beer and liquor (wine and spirits) products for on-premise consumption.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Distributor (D) licenses cover beer for off-premises consumption only.

Distributor (D) licenses cover beer for off-premises consumption only.

Distributor (D) licenses (commonly held by neighborhood beer distributors) allow for the sale of malt and brewed beverages (beer) for off-premises consumption only.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026