A liquor license tells the State as well as your customers that you’re qualified to handle and sell liquor. You’ll be able to get a license once you attend class, find the nearest Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control office, and file your application. With regional offices throughout Virginia, the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverages Control offices are easy to locate. Read on learn how you can obtain your liquor license.

Look for your local Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control office. Contact the Bureau of Law Enforcement by phone at (804) 213-4565 or by Web at the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control website. Locate the nearest liquor license office near you.

Attend a class. Receive training on how to spot phony ID cards, what to do if there is an alcohol incident, and how to identify minors and drunk customers. Obtain a schedule for these classes, then register for the class that fits your schedule. Register two weeks before the course begins, and show up 15 minutes before the first class starts. Review all course materials prior to attending the class.

Know what type of Virginia liquor license you’ll need before you apply for one. If you plan on selling liquor or alcoholic beverages in a store obtain a Retail License Application. Get an “In-State Delivery Permit Application” if you plan on delivering liquor. Apply for a Day Spa License if you’re going to offer alcoholic beverages as part of your service.

Go to the regional Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control near your address. Bring the certificate of completion for the liquor license class you attended. Fill out the liquor license form applicable to your business. You can also go online and download the application from the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control website.

Get the contact information of the person who handles your liquor license application. Ask him how long it will take to process your liquor license application.

Tip

Give the application reasonable time, then check its status.