Tag: selling alcohol

Need a TAM® Card for the Busy Summer Season? A Rundown on Requirements

Published on by TAM of Nevada1 Comment

As a reminder to anyone selling or serving alcoholic beverages in Southern Nevada, you will need to obtain an alcohol awareness card if you haven’t already. Students often ask for a list of requirements and things to remember prior to taking a TAM® Class with us. Please use the following information as a “cheat sheet” of TAM Card requirements, and pass on to anyone you know who may benefit from this information.

  1. TAM® Cards are required for anyone selling or serving alcoholic beverages in Southern Nevada. This includes servers, bartenders, security professionals at establishments that sell alcoholic beverages, clerks at grocery and convenience stores who sell alcoholic beverage products, and more (Nevada Revised Statutes). Additionally, TAM Cards ARE required for anyone selling or serving alcoholic beverages for any length of time, including special one-time events. We often receive calls asking if TAM® Cards are needed for individuals who will be working to sell or serve alcoholic beverages for festivals, special weekend events, and similar situations. Even if you will only be working in this type of position for a short period of time, a TAM® Card is still mandatory.
  2. You must be 16 years of age or older to obtain a TAM Card. Read more about age requirements in our blog post, “TAM Cards for Teens.” Remember, you must be 21 years of age or older to serve or sell open alcoholic beverages, but teenagers and young adults who work as cashiers or clerks at grocery or convenience stores that sell sealed alcoholic beverages may need to obtain alcohol awareness training.
  3. You must present valid picture ID when attending a TAM® Class or sitting for a proctored exam. When you come to the TAM® Training Center for your TAM® Class, or to complete your exam if you took the online course, remember to bring a valid form of identification. Examples of valid ID include a driver license, passport, or state identification card. Please check the TAM® of Nevada website for a complete list of accepted forms of ID.
  4. Classroom training is NOT required; you can take your alcohol awareness course online. TAM® of Nevada offers classes both online or onsite. The choice is yours on which option fits best with your lifestyle and schedule. You’ll receive the same great training and a valid TAM® Card with either option.
  5. Online or in the classroom, plan on dedicating about 3 hours to your alcohol awareness training. State law requires that each student receives robust training following specific topics and curriculum, so plan to spend about three hours in your online or on-site training program followed by a short exam. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a “shorter” class for students who need to renew their alcohol education cards. State law mandates that students must complete the entire program every four years to remain in compliance.

Hopefully this clears up any questions about TAM Card requirements. Sign up for one of our classes at TAM of Nevada’s website. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Resources

© 2012 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

A Growing Trend – Teens Drinking Hand Sanitizer

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

There is an alarming new trend cropping up among young people across the country. Teens looking for a quick buzz are turning to internet videos and gossip from friends to learn about ways to distill and consume the alcohol in hand sanitizer products. Many teens take on the attitude that they are young and invincible, nothing bad will happen to them. Unfortunately, with risky behavior such at this, hospitals are seeing an increase in the number of young people being treated for alcohol poisoning, and doctors are concerned this may become a growing, and dangerous fad.

Liquid hand sanitizer is the latest in a string of household products groups of teens are using to get drunk, and it has public health officials and parents concerned. A few squirts of hand sanitizer could equal a couple of shots of hard liquor. Liquid hand sanitizer is 62-65% ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, the main ingredient in beer, wine and spirits, making it 120-proof. To compare, a bottle of vodka is 80-proof (ABC News). With recent reports indicating that more than 50% of of 18-20 year olds in Nevada have engaged in underage drinking within the past month, this is definitely a trend that health officials, parents, and servers and sellers of alcohol should be aware of the dangers of, and working to spread the word about (SAMHSA).

Hand sanitizer isn’t the only over the counter product that can be dangerous when used incorrectly. Common over-the-counter drugs can contain up to 10% alcohol. Cough syrup and laxatives may have some of the highest alcohol concentrations, and are readily available to young people (NIAAA). Some pharmacies and retailers have moved select cough suppressants and other drugs behind the counter, but retailers should remain vigilant about responsible sales of both alcohol and over the counter medications and always follow company policies and procedures, and local and state laws, for such sales.

Also keep in mind, that teens aren’t the only group that is susceptible to risky behaviors with over-the-counter and household products. Alcohol and drug interactions are another common problem to be aware of, and customers could inadvertently be at risk for adverse effects. Make sure to read our blog post, “Risky Business – How to Spot & Deal with Alcohol-Drug Interactions,” for more information on how to handle such situations.

Resources

© 2012 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

 

Are You Serving Alcohol Lawfully? TAM® Cards Expire After 4 Years

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

Over 200,000 hospitality and service workers are employed in Clark County, most of whom are required, by state law, to receive alcohol awareness training and carry an Alcohol Education Card. Alcohol awareness training is mandatory for those who serve or sell alcoholic beverages or provide security services in casinos, restaurants, bars, clubs, and grocery/convenience stores in Clark and Washoe Counties. Many establishments also require anyone who handles alcoholic beverages and their managers and executive staff to carry cards. Do you already have your alcohol card? Great, but make sure to check the expiration date! TAM® Cards expire after four years, so don’t delay in staying current with your education.

There is a common misconception that one can “renew” their card by paying a fee or taking a short quiz, but law dictates one must re-take an approved alcohol awareness course every four years. Laws, policies and procedures, and even available alcohol products can go through considerable changes in four years, and it is very important for service professionals to be aware of those changes. The benefits of refreshing your education include staying up to date on current laws, refreshing knowledge about how alcohol affects the body and learning about what to watch out for, how to react to certain situations, and more.

There are some important points to consider as you determine how this information affects you:

  • Providers of alcohol awareness training, such as TAM® of Nevada, must be approved through Nevada’s Commission on Postsecondary Education. Cards issued by providers and provider locations not on the approved provider list could be deemed invalid.
  • Training can be taken online or in the classroom. If you’re interested in completing your training online, you can view our online course demo and sign up for a class here.
  • All students must physically go to the provider’s approved school location to take an exam that is proctored and pass the proctored exam with a score of at least 75%. TAM® of Nevada has convenient proctoring hours six days a week for students to drop-in to take their exam and obtain a TAM® Card.

If you are concerned that your current card may be invalid, or if you’d like to register for an alcohol awareness course, you can reach TAM® of Nevada here. For more information on laws governing alcohol awareness training in Nevada, check out our blog post, “Call It What You May… There’s Only One TAM Card!”

Resources

© 2012 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada

Begin the New Year with Positive Changes – Make it Your Resolution to Become TAM® Certified

Published on by TAM of NevadaLeave a comment

TAM-Hospitality-ProfessionalsLas Vegas kicked off the New Year in high style with parties at all of the hottest spots around town. While Metro police noted that the evening’s festivities remained relatively orderly, there were 22 arrests for those suspected of drunk driving, and approximately 57 arrests for minor misdemeanor offenses on the Strip (Fox 5 Vegas). Drunk driving is never OK and rowdy behavior can be problematic for all of your guests and staff. Why not vow to help try and cut that number drastically in 2012? TAM®-Certified professionals know how to help keep things safe when serving alcoholic beverages, which can cut down drastically on these types of behaviors from patrons, and help keep the mood celebratory and fun for all. Why not kick off the New Year by doing all you can to provide excellent service to your patrons while also making sure they are not over-served and able to get home safely?

2012 can be the year to resolve to make changes in your career, education and business. Whatever your resolution, TAM® of Nevada has some ideas to get you motivated.

Sign up for your TAM® Class and get trained the right way. Carry your TAM card to show you received the best possible training. Protect yourself and your employer by getting your mandatory alcohol education through TAM® of Nevada. Contact us today to sign up for one of our online or classroom-based training sessions and kick off the New Year by completing or renewing your alcohol education.

Start an exciting new career or expand your existing career in the service industry. Resolve to begin the search to find your dream job, or make changes in your attitude and delivery at your current job. If you’re looking for a new career, make this the year that you up the ante on your job search. Show employers you are serious about obtaining the best possible training by obtaining a TAM® Card, and then make sure to read out blog post “You’re Hired! Landing a Job in the Hospitality Industry” for tips on making the most of your job search and nailing the interview. Or, if you’re already happy in your current position, why not take it to the next level and work on customer service?  Wow both your patrons and your boss with a fresh new outlook and dedication to providing excellent service. Check out our blog posts “Set the Tone and Increase Your Earnings with Positive Body Language” and “Service Excellence: Best Practices for Hospitality Professionals” for even more tips and ideas on how to impress your guests and net better tips.

Try out new ideas, deals, and special events at your establishment to kick start sales and draw in new patrons. There are many reasons why establishments can see a sales dip – increased competition, shifting tastes and attitudes of patrons, tired selections and décor, etc. Sometimes it’s tough to break old habits and get out of a rut, but hard work and creative thinking can pay off big for your business. Resolve to make 2012 the year you start thinking outside of the box and try new ideas to increase sales, motivate your staff and get customers buzzing about your establishment. If you’re ready to start brainstorming, read “Are Your Happy Hour Deals Falling Flat? New Ideas to Boost Your Bar Sales” and “Beating the January Lull” from Nightclub & Bar for more ideas to help you get started.

Wishing a Happy New Year to all from TAM® of Nevada. What is your New Year’s Resolution?

Resources

© 2012 National Hospitality Institute®, TAM® of Nevada