If you live in Clark County or Washoe County, Nevada and have a job (or volunteer) in an area that involves selling or serving alcohol or providing security at an establishment that serves alcohol, you have to obtain an Alcohol Awareness Card which is also known as a “TAM” (Techniques of Alcohol Management) Card and there are no exceptions to the rule. Obtaining a TAM card® entails completion of an online course and testing, which has replaced classroom courses that are no longer required.

Information about the online course, final testing and testing centers can be accessed at www.alcoholcardlasvegas.com. This online course is the official training course required for working with alcohol anywhere in the State of Nevada, although Alcohol Awareness Cards are only required for employees who work in Clark County (Las Vegas, Henderson, Laughlin, Mesquite) and Washoe County (Reno, Sparks).

Nevada law requires employees who sell or mix alcohol to be at least 21 years of age and the only exception is grocery store cashiers who sell packaged alcohol and are only required to be at least 16 years of age but must be under the supervision of a person over the age of 18.

Obtaining a TAM card® is an easy process that requires registration, payment of $25 and completion of an online course comprised of interactive lessons and videos which can be completed in one or multiple sessions.

The TAM course can be taken on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or Smart Phone and the course and final testing are offered in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Ethiopian.

After completion of the online course, applicants have to go to one of the testing center locations to take the test and pick up the TAM card®. The northwest testing center is located at 4079 N. Rancho Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89130 and applicants can walk-in anytime Monday through Friday from 10:00 in the morning until 2:00 in the afternoon or between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m.

The southern testing location is at 9708 S. Gilespie St., Suite 107, Las Vegas, NV 89183 and applicants can walk in Monday through Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The test cannot be taken online and must be taken in person after showing valid photo ID. Applicants have to physically pick up their TAM cards at one of the testing locations because Nevada law does not permit TAMs to be sent in the mail. The test is multiple choice and takes about 10 minutes. In the event of failure, the test can be retaken at any time at no additional cost.

After completing the online course and passing the test with a score of at least 75%, applicants will be issued alcohol awareness cards immediately and no additional fees are charged.

If you already have a TAM card® that will expire soon, you can renew the card online and then pick up the new alcohol awareness card at one of the testing offices, all of which can be accomplished on the same day. Renewal of TAM cards requires completion of the online course, a final test on that course and costs $25 whether your card is current or already expired. Nevada law requires that TAM cards be picked up in person at state-approved testing centers.

If you lost your TAM card® you can get a replacement card by visiting the same location you originally received your first card and you do not have to take the course again or retest. You will be required to show proper government-issued photo identification and pay $10 for a replacement card.

Card holders now have options regarding the appearance of their TAM cards and can choose from a variety of designs made by industry people or design their own unique alcohol awareness card. Applicants interested in this option should tell the attendant when they go in to take the final test. Nevada State law requires that TAMs show your Name, Identification Number, Issue Date and Expiration Date but you can have your card designed however you want.

Existing design options include Military, Kids and Family, Gay Pride, Las Vegas and Cultural. TAM card® holders who choose to personalize their cards will be issued a temporary card after completion of testing and their custom designed card will be mailed (this should be confirmed at the testing center since Nevada law presumably prohibits mailing TAM cards).

Any questions you may have regarding TAM card® rules and regulations can be answered by calling 702-684-5501 or by emailing info@alcoholcardlasvegas.com.