June 06, 2025
South Carolina has enacted a major alcohol liability reform law aimed at reducing insurance costs and improving public safety. Signed by Governor Henry McMaster on May 12, 2025, House Bill 3430 (H.3430) introduces mandatory alcohol server training and new liquor liability insurance requirements for bars, restaurants, and other establishments that serve alcohol for on-premises consumption.
Mandatory Alcohol Server Training
Anyone who serves alcohol in South Carolina must now complete a state-certified alcohol server training course within 60 days of hire. This includes bartenders, servers, managers, and even owners.
The training must be approved by the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) and cover key topics such as:
State alcohol laws
Civil and liquor liability
Spotting and managing intoxicated customers
Fake ID detection
Laws regarding concealed weapons and alcohol
Upon completion, the SCDOR issues an official Alcohol Server Certificate, which serves as proof of compliance with the new law.
Take the required South Carolina Alcohol Server Training online now:
Click here to register at LIQUORexam.com
If your establishment serves alcohol after 5:00 PM, you are now required to carry $1 million in liquor or general liability insurance annually. However, businesses can reduce their insurance obligation by meeting any of the following criteria:
Stop alcohol service by midnight → $250,000 reduction
Complete certified training for all staff → $100,000 reduction
Keep alcohol revenue under 40% of total sales → $100,000 reduction
Use a digital ID scanner from 12:00 AM–4:00 AM → $100,000 reduction
Operate as a nonprofit or under a special event license → $500,000 reduction
Previously, a business could be held 100% liable for damages in lawsuits, even if other parties were partially at fault. Now, juries can assign fault to non-party individuals and reduce the liability of businesses. In DUI-related cases, businesses can only be held liable for up to 50% of damages under this law—if they’ve implemented qualifying risk mitigation steps such as server training.
This law is already in effect. Businesses should act immediately to ensure compliance with training and insurance coverage requirements to avoid potential penalties or increased liability.
At LIQUORexam.com, we offer the state-approved South Carolina Alcohol Server/Seller Training entirely online. The course is:
Mobile and desktop friendly
Self-paced and accessible 24/7
Guaranteed to pass
Includes your downloadable certificate upon completion
