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Responsible Beverage Service (Alcohol Server) Certification

Minors and ID (CA): practice questions

Our Responsible Beverage Service bank has 16 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.

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Question 1 · California

In California, may police use minor decoys to test whether staff sell to people under 21?

  1. No; decoy operations are illegal
  2. Yes; decoys acting for police are immune
  3. Only if the licensee agrees in advance
  4. Only for off-sale stores
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B. Yes; decoys acting for police are immune — Bus. & Prof. Code 25658(f) allows peace officers to use persons under 21 as decoys; they are immune from prosecution for the purchase.

Question 2 · California

A person under 21 enters and stays in a California bar (public premises) without lawful business. What fine applies to the minor?

  1. At least $50, which the court may suspend on a first offence
  2. $1,000 and jail
  3. No fine; only the licensee is liable
  4. At least $200, none of which can be suspended
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D. At least $200, none of which can be suspended — Bus. & Prof. Code 25665: the minor faces a fine of not less than $200, no part suspended; the licensee who permits it commits a misdemeanour.

Question 3 · California

Since 1 January 2025, what else may a California licensee use as a defense besides checking a bona fide ID?

  1. The guest's verbal promise of age
  2. A photo of the guest's ID sent to the server by text message
  3. A friend's statement of the guest's age
  4. A biometric system that verifies the bona fide ID
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D. A biometric system that verifies the bona fide ID — Bus. & Prof. Code 25660(b), amended by SB 1371: using a biometric system that verifies and authenticates bona fide ID is also a defense.

Question 4 · California

A server carefully checks an ID that turns out to be fake, and the minor looked 21 or older. What does California's curriculum say?

  1. The server has a defense to the charge
  2. The server is automatically guilty
  3. Only the licensee has a defense
  4. The server must pay the minor's fine
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A. The server has a defense to the charge — 4 CCR 165(a)(2) and Bus. & Prof. Code 25660(b): diligently inspecting an ID and acting in reliance on it, where the minor appeared 21+, is a defense.

Question 5 · California

Which document is "bona fide evidence of majority and identity" under Bus. & Prof. Code 25660?

  1. A student ID from a California university
  2. A valid U.S. or foreign passport
  3. A credit card with a photo
  4. A gym membership card
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B. A valid U.S. or foreign passport — 25660(a): a government document with name, date of birth, description and photo; a valid U.S. or foreign passport; or a valid armed forces ID with date of birth and photo.

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