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Do I need BASSET certification to serve alcohol in Illinois?

Illinois law covers most people who sell or serve open drinks at retail. It also covers people who check ID for those sales or for entry, or deliver mixed drinks. New hires have 120 days to get the card, and it lasts three years. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission tells servers, sellers, bartenders and security staff to get one. Some jobs are left out.

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The rule, fact by fact

Who needs it
Open-drink servers, sellers, mixed-drink deliverers, ID checkers for those sales or entryState law covers people who sell or serve open drinks at retail, deliver mixed drinks, or check ID for those sales or for entry.
Verified. Illinois law · 235 ILCS 5/6-27.1 (archived copy) (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Deadline after hire
Within 120 days after the server starts workThe count starts when you start work.
Same source and date as above
Valid for
Three years from the date you took the classILCC counts the three years from the day you took the class. You take the class again to stay compliant.
Verified. Illinois Liquor Control Commission · BASSET Bulletin, February 2025 (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Local rules
Renew every three years, or sooner if a local ordinance requires itAn ILCC survey of local liquor rules says renewal can come sooner than every three years if a local ordinance requires it.
Verified. Illinois Liquor Control Commission · Local liquor-related ordinances survey (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Agency
Illinois Liquor Control CommissionBASSET is Illinois' responsible beverage seller and server program. It runs under the licensing and regulation of the ILCC.
Verified. Illinois Liquor Control Commission · BASSET program (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check that your job is covered. The state law covers people who sell or serve open drinks. It also covers people who check ID for those sales or for entry, and people who deliver mixed drinks. The Illinois Liquor Control Commission puts it more broadly. It tells servers, sellers, bartenders and security staff that they must be certified. Ask your employer if you are not sure your job is covered.

  2. Step 2. Count your days. The state law gives you 120 days after you start work. Mark that date on your calendar, and ask your employer when your card is due.

  3. Step 3. Verify the trainer with the ILCC before you pay. Check the ILCC website or email "ILCC.BASSET@illinois.gov". The BASSET Trainer Directory may not list every trainer, so a missing name is not proof of a problem.

  4. Step 4. Take the class. The ILCC says its BASSET training programs teach in person and online, and also run private classes. Ask the trainer which kind of class you are booking. We haven't confirmed a class price, so ask what it costs.

  5. Step 5. An older ILCC newsletter says the ILCC was introducing in-person BASSET training in its Chicago and Springfield offices. Ask the ILCC whether those classes still run.

  6. Step 6. Keep the date you took the class, because the ILCC counts three years from it. An ILCC bulletin also says a BASSET card can take 30 to 45 days from that date to be processed.

  7. Step 7. Check local rules. An ILCC survey of local liquor ordinances was updated in 2015. It says renewal can come sooner than every three years if a local ordinance requires it. Ask your city or county whether it has one.

Before you pay

Check that the trainer is licensed. The ILCC bulletin says over 100 programs are active. Verify yours on the ILCC website or by email at "ILCC.BASSET@illinois.gov". A trainer missing from the directory page may still be active.

Ask the price first.

Ask your employer when your card is due.

Ask your city or county if it has its own rule. A 2015 ILCC survey says renewal can come sooner than every three years if a local ordinance requires it.

Questions

I moved. How do I change the address on my BASSET card?

Send a change request to the training program you took the class with. A February 2025 ILCC bulletin says the program then updates the information and submits it.

I lost my BASSET card. What do I do?

Go to the ILCC website and print or download a copy. If the card can't be found, the same February 2025 bulletin says you can send a request.

Which jobs don't need a BASSET card?

The state law does not count three kinds of people as alcohol servers. The first is a distributor or importing distributor doing product sampling the law allows, or a registered tasting representative doing a tasting. The second is a volunteer serving drinks at a charitable function. The third is an instructor teaching how to use a system that dispenses drinks. The law's training rules also do not apply to a special event retailer.

What to do next

Start with the ILCC's list of BASSET trainers. Pick a trainer before you pay for a class. Not sure your job is covered? Read the ILCC BASSET program page first.

ilcc.illinois.gov

Sources we read