Missouri SMART – State of Missouri Alcohol Responsibility Training

The State of Missouri Alcohol Responsibility Training (SMART) is a free, online, interactive training program for owners, managers and employees of establishments licensed to sell alcohol. The program covers Missouri liquor laws, ID verification, intoxication recognition, refusal skills and safe alcohol service practices.

SMART is voluntary at the state level, but strongly encouraged by the Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Control (ATC). Many employers, insurers and some local jurisdictions treat server training as a requirement for staff who sell or serve alcohol. SMART certification must be renewed every 2 years.

Steps to Be Compliant in Missouri (Using SMART):

1. Check employer and local requirements:
   Confirm whether your city, county or employer requires an approved server training program such as SMART.
2. Register for the free SMART online training:
   Create an account on the SMART website. The self-guided training is available 24/7 and typically takes about 60–75 minutes to complete.
3. Complete the course and pass the exam:
   Learn Missouri alcohol laws, ID and fake ID checks, intoxication signs and refusal skills, then pass the final exam to earn your certificate.
4. Affiliate your certificate with your workplace:
   Link your SMART account to your establishment’s liquor license number so your employer can verify and track certified employees.
5. Renew every 2 years:
   SMART accounts remain active, but certification must be renewed every two years by retaking the training.

Program Benefits:

1. Reduced Liability & Risk Exposure
Training helps prevent unlawful sales to minors or intoxicated patrons and supports safer service, reducing the risk of fines, license issues and civil liability.

2. Enforcement & Insurance Support
ATC encourages use of SMART, and some insurers may offer discounts for establishments with fully trained staff, viewing training as a good-faith compliance effort.

3. Free, State-Aligned Training
SMART is provided free of charge and is tailored to Missouri laws and regulations.

4. Standardized Training Across Staff
Ensures all servers, sellers and managers receive consistent instruction on Missouri liquor laws, ID verification, intoxication recognition and refusal skills.

5. Portable Certification with a 2-Year Renewal Cycle
Certificates can be associated with multiple employers, and the two-year validity period provides a clear, repeatable training and renewal schedule.