Can I Get a TABC Certification with a DUI or Criminal Record?

Yes. You can get your TABC seller-server certification with a past DUI or criminal record. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission does not run a background check on individuals taking the standard employee seller-server course.

There is an important difference between two things people often confuse:

• The employee seller-server certificate (what a bartender, waiter, or cashier needs) — no background check and no criminal-history requirement.
• A liquor license to own or operate a bar or store — a separate application that does involve a strict background check.

So if you just need to be certified to work, a past mistake does not stop you. One honest note: certification is open to everyone, but individual employers can still set their own hiring policies.