§ 5.205. RAMP certification prerequisites.
(a) Licensees may seek RAMP certification voluntarily, may commit to obtaining certification as part of a conditional licensing agreement entered into with the PLCB, or may be required to obtain certification by a provision in the Liquor Code or as a result of an adjudicated citation.
(b) Licensees applying for RAMP certification under section 471.1 of the Liquor Code (47 P.S. § 4-471.1) must complete the following prerequisites:
(1) Owner/manager training.
(i) At least one owner or the PLCB-approved manager must complete the owner/manager training.
(ii) The first time an individual enrolls in owner/manager training, the individual shall enroll and attend the owner/manager training in a classroom setting. The individual may take subsequent owner/manager training in a classroom setting or by means of online training, as preferred.
(iii) Training will include instruction on proper service of alcohol, developing an alcohol service policy and establishing house rules and policies aimed at preventing sales of alcoholic beverages to minors or visibly intoxicated persons. Instruction will also be provided on identification checks and signs of visible intoxication. Instruction will be provided on techniques to ensure that alcohol service personnel are complying with house rules and policies, including the orientation of new and current employees and the documentation of incidents occurring in the workplace.
(iv) Owner/manager training will be conducted by the PLCB. The PLCB will maintain records establishing the names of individuals who have successfully undergone owner/manager training.
(2) Server/seller training.
(i) At least 50% of the licensee’s alcohol service personnel must successfully complete server/seller training at the time of filing the application for certification of compliance. This percentage must be maintained or RAMP certification may be rescinded.
(ii) Successful completion of server/seller training is a score of 80% or better on the PLCB’s final examination.
(iii) Training will include instruction on detecting signs of impairment and intoxication, identifying underage individuals, and detecting false identifications, including those that are altered, counterfeit or borrowed. Instruction will focus on the practical application of the skills necessary to properly check identification, prevent intoxication and refuse service.
(3) New employee orientation.
(i) When preparing to apply for RAMP certification for the first time, the licensee’s owner, manager or designated employee must review an orientation checklist with all alcohol service personnel. The orientation checklist, provided by the PLCB, addresses the liquor laws regarding service to minors, service to visibly intoxicated patrons, acceptable forms of identification, carding practices and house policies.
(ii) New employees must receive orientation within 30 days of being hired by the licensee. When new employees are hired, the licensee is responsible for ensuring that the owner, manager or designated employee conducts new employee orientation within 30 days of the employee’s hire.
(iii) Once completed, orientation checklists should be kept by the licensee throughout the person’s employment and for 2 years after separation from employment.
(4) Display of responsible alcohol service signage.
(i) Licensees must post signs in the licensed premises. The signs will be provided by the PLCB, although a licensee may use its own signs as long as they are equivalent in size and content to the PLCB’s signs.
(ii) The following signs must be posted, notifying patrons about:
(A) Acceptable forms of identification as described in section 495(a) of the Liquor Code (47 P.S. § 4-495(a)).
(B) The licensee’s duty to refuse service to minors and visibly intoxicated persons under section 493(1) of the Liquor Code (47 P.S. § 4-493(1)).
(iii) The design of the signs must be so that they are legible from a distance of at least 10 feet. Signs must be located where patrons will easily see them.
(iv) The licensee is responsible for the posting and maintenance of signs.
Authority The provisions of this § 5.205 added under sections 207(i) and 471.1 of the Liquor Code (47 P.S. § § 2-207(i) and 4-471.1).
Source The provisions of this § 5.205 added August 27, 2021, effective August 28, 2021, 51 Pa.B. 5374.
Cross References This section cited in 40 Pa. Code § 5.206 (relating to RAMP certification); and 40 Pa. Code § 5.207 (relating to records).
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