Governor McMaster Signs Joint Resolution Extending Alcohol Server Training Deadline

Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) applauds Governor Henry McMaster for signing H. 5261, a joint resolution that extends the deadline for mandatory alcohol server training to May 1, 2026, providing much-needed flexibility for hospitality businesses across the state.

The resolution gives restaurants, bars, and other hospitality establishments additional time to comply with the alcohol server training requirement established under South Carolina’s recent liquor liability reforms. The original compliance deadline was March 2, 2026, but lawmakers recognized that many businesses and employees needed additional time to complete the training programs as they became available statewide.

“SCRLA is grateful to Governor McMaster and members of the General Assembly for recognizing the operational challenges facing our industry and taking swift action to extend this deadline,” said Douglas OFlaherty, Interim President and COO for the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association. “This extension ensures that restaurants and bars across South Carolina have the necessary time to properly train their teams while continuing to serve their communities safely and responsibly.”

Alcohol server training is required for employees who serve alcohol for on-premises consumption 10 hours or more a week and for managers who oversee alcohol service. The training requirement is part of broader liquor liability reforms intended to promote responsible alcohol service and address rising insurance costs facing hospitality businesses.

SCRLA worked closely with legislative leaders, regulators, and industry partners to highlight implementation challenges and advocate for a reasonable extension that would allow businesses to achieve compliance without unnecessary disruption.

“South Carolina’s hospitality industry remains committed to responsible alcohol service,” OFlaherty added. “By extending the deadline to May 1, policymakers have provided a practical path forward that supports both public safety and the thousands of small businesses that make up our state’s hospitality community."

SCRLA encourages hospitality businesses and employees to take advantage of the extended timeline and complete an approved alcohol server training program before the new May 1 deadline.