How to get a Tennessee server permit, step by step

A Tennessee server permit comes from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). You apply in RLPS, TABC's online permit system, take a TABC-approved alcohol awareness course, and print your permit once TABC approves your application. You need the permit to serve liquor, wine or high-gravity beer at a business with a liquor-by-the-drink license, and to serve beer there, too.

Before you start

  • Age. You must be at least 18, or 21 to serve at a business that allows smoking.
  • Your record. TABC turns down applicants with certain records, including some convictions within the past eight years and a server permit revoked within the past five years. TABC lists the restrictions on its server permit page. If you have a conviction, get the court's judgment forms ready to attach. TABC doesn't consider convictions that have been expunged.
  • A computer. RLPS isn't optimized for phones, so use a computer. Turn off your pop-up blocker for TABC pages, too.
  • The $20 fee. You pay TABC's $20 application fee in RLPS when you apply. It isn't refundable.
  • Your hire date, if you just started. New servers have 61 days from their original hire date to get a permit. See the 61-day rule.

Step 1. Create your RLPS account

Go to RLPS on a computer and choose Register for an Account.

Your information has to be accurate, because you submit the application under penalty of perjury. If you later add your permit to the MyTN app, your MyTN profile must match your permit information exactly, so enter your name the same way in both.

Step 2. Fill out the server permit application

The application takes you through these screens:

  1. Log in and click the Licenses tab.
  2. Read the privacy statement, check the box to accept the terms, and continue.
  3. Choose Server Permit Application.
  4. Pick your contact information from your account, or add it.
  5. Fill out the form.
  6. Click Add to upload the documents RLPS asks for, including any court judgment forms.
  7. Review everything, fix any mistakes, and check the acknowledgment.
  8. Click Continue Application to pay the $20 fee.
  9. When the application is complete, RLPS shows your new record ID. That's your RLPS number. It looks something like 26A-NPER-SER-012345. Write it down, and print the payment receipt.

Step 3. Take a TABC-approved course

Your course has to be on TABC's approved list, and you have to complete it within one year of your application date. Tennessee requires at least 3.5 hours of training. Since 2025 the training has to cover alcohol's role in sexual assault and harassment, patron safety and bystander intervention, the role of drugs in assault, preventing patron drugging, and recognizing and reporting human trafficking.

You sign up with your RLPS number so your course provider can file your passing score with TABC. When you pass, the program gives you a certificate of completion. The certificate isn't a server permit.

Our course is on TABC's approved list. It's $36, including the $15 state filing fee. Buy the course ($36)

Step 4. The program files your score with TABC

Your course provider files your score with TABC and pays a $15 fee for each student who passes. If that's us, we send your passing score to TABC within two business days once we have a valid RLPS number for you, and the $15 is already in our $36. TABC sets its own review timing.

Step 5. Check your application, then print your permit

TABC reviews your application and decides whether to approve it. You can check its status by logging in to RLPS and opening the My Records tab.

Once TABC issues your permit, print it from RLPS:

  1. Log in to RLPS on a computer and click My Records.
  2. Click the RLPS ID of your permit. Once it's issued, your permit has its own active record in My Records, separate from your application.
  3. Click Print or View: License/Permit/Certificate.
  4. Your permit opens on a separate page. Print it, or save it as a PDF.

TABC doesn't mail permits. You can also add your permit to your phone's wallet with the free MyTN app. Our printing guide covers both.

Keep a copy with you at work

TABC requires servers to have a copy of their permit with them while working. A digital copy counts if it's easy to pull up. Your employer also has to keep a copy of each server's permit.

If you get stuck

For RLPS problems, call the TABC help desk at 615-532-2297 or email [email protected]. For questions about our course, email [email protected] or call 615-946-2525.

Buy our TABC-approved course ($36)

Last updated: November 7, 2026