Florida Frequently Asked Questions

Alcoholic Beverage Control

• How much does an alcoholic beverage vendor's license cost?
• Why must I pay a $5 unlicensed activity fee to obtain a license or renew my license?
• What kind of license do I need to sell alcoholic beverages?
• How much does electronic fingerprinting cost?
• What is a quota license and how can I get one?
• What type of license do I need in order to sell alcoholic beverages at my restaurant?
• What types of complaints and issues cannot be reviewed by the Department?
• How long does it take to obtain an alcoholic beverage license?
• Can I change my address online?
• How do I file an unlicensed activity complaint for a profession or business that the Department of Business and Professional Regulation regulates?
• I would like to apply for a license to sell alcoholic beverages. Is there any way that I can start serving alcoholic beverages immediately?
• Can I change all license addresses online?
• How long are my fingerprints valid for?
• Will my complaint be confidential?
• I am currently residing outside of the State of Florida and cannot get to one of the Florida electronic fingerprinting sites listed, how can I submit my electronic fingerprints?
• How long will it take to review and investigate a complaint?
• What kind of license do I need to import alcoholic beverages into Florida?
• Can a cosmetology salon serve complimentary alcoholic drinks?
• Can I file an anonymous complaint?
• To register the brand/label of a malt beverage, am I required to submit an exclusive sales territory agreement between the manufacturer or importer and the distributor?
• What is a stand-alone bar?
• Your website provides for "main", "mailing", and "location" addresses. What are the differences?
• Is there a requirement that I report the distributors which will be moving the product for each alcoholic beverage brand/label?
• To register the brand/label of a malt beverage, how do I comply with the "Florida" or "FL" imprinting requirement?
• What is the "Other" type of alcoholic beverage brand/label?
• As an alcoholic beverage distributor, how do the Tied House Evil laws apply to me?
• Can a license holder hire someone to work for them that has a felony?
• Can a beverage license be transferred from county to county?
• Am I required to report a brand/label revision if I have previously registered the brand/label with the state?
• Is "alcoholic % by volume" or alcohol "proof" still required to be reported for brand/label registration?
• Am I required to report a brand/label revision if I have previously registered the brand/label with the state?
• Who is required by law to submit electronic fingerprints to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation?
• How do I register a brand/label?
• What is the renewal period for brands?
• What are bar snacks?
• What is required for stand-alone bars to keep or renew their smoking designation?
• What are the conditions or restrictions for a stand-alone bar to allow smoking?
• Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco: In Door Air: Tobacco Smoking Ban
• What responsibility does the business have regarding the smoking Ban?
• If a customer refuses to stop smoking in an enclosed indoor workplace, what should the owner or operator do?
• What responsibility does the business have regarding the smoking ban?
• What Florida law bans smoking in enclosed indoor workplaces?
• If a holder of a beverage license dies, what happens to the license?
• Is a license needed to manufacture jello shots?
• Can beer samplings be held at a premise licensed by the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco?
• Is a human sign outside of a business outside advertising?
• Where do I mail my application?
• What do I need to bring with me to the Florida electronic fingerprinting site?
• What if I miss my reserved time and arrive late to the Florida electronic fingerprinting site, do I need to reschedule?
• Is the 60 months counted from the post mark date or the date of receipt of the application?
• Does the state regulate the hours of operation for an establishment that serves alcoholic beverages?
• Is the "Renew did not ship" renewal option still available?
• Do I have to submit a tax report if I didn't have any taxable activity on wholesale alcoholic beverage, cigarette, or tobacco products during the month?
• Where do I store my business records and how long do I retain them?
• I belong to a non-profit civic organization. As part of a fund-raiser, can we sell alcoholic beverages?
• What are the penalties for violating the smoking ban?
• What is an outdoor patio?
• Can an owner or their employees smoke in the kitchen area or any other area such as a break room?
• How does an establishment become a stand-alone bar and is there a fee?
• Where is smoking allowed?
• What are the penalties for violations of alcoholic beverage and tobacco laws and rules?
• Does a tobacco wholesaler outside of the state of Florida have to be licensed with the state of Florida to sell to retailers in Florida?
• Can I use my recent prints to apply for another professional license?
• Is there an application that I need to file for fee waivers?
• What could happen to the professional or business because of my complaint?
• Can the Department help me recover money I have lost if I file a complaint?
• What is the difference between a CDA (Cigarette Distributing Agent) permit, and a CWD (Cigarette Wholesale Distributor) permit?
• How does the electronic fingerprinting process actually work?
• When registering brands/labels, is the alcoholic beverage "type" that was previously required to be reported for each brand (e.g., distilled spirit, spirits base cooler, pre-mixed cocktail, vinous, wine based cooler, etc.) still required?
• May I use a credit memo to pay for an online Brand/label application?
• If a licensed premise, either a stand-alone bar or a food service establishment, serves food in an outside seating area, is smoking permitted there?
• Is there a record-keeping requirement related to the smoking designation?
• Can I be audited if establishment has a smoking designation?
• As an alcoholic beverage distributor, how do the Tied House Evil laws apply to me?
• AB&T In-Door Air: Tobacco Smoking Ban
• What is the minimum age requirement for serving alcoholic beverages?
• Will I have to be a witness at a trial or hearing if I file a complaint?
• Can I be sued for filing a complaint?
• Where is smoking allowed now that the ban has gone into effect? The law provides that smoking may be allowed in the following places:
• May I buy alcohol and tobacco from a retailer and offer them for sale at my retail establishment?
• May free food, such as a "happy hour buffet" be offered at an establishment with a smoking designation and can the bar engage a carterer to provide or serve food on the license premise?
• Can I allow my customers to bring food onto my licensed premises if I have a stand-alone bar with a smoking designation?
• Is there a certain distance from a licensed premises that a person must be in order to smoke?
• How does an establishment change its stand-alone bar designation?
• What types of licenses are not eligible to be designated as a stand-alone bar?
• What licenses are needed for a brew pub?
• Can a business post Brand signs outside on a tiki hut on the exterior of a licensed premise?
• When did enforcement begin and who enforces the smoking ban?
• How can I obtain assistance with completing my application?
• What's the process once I file a complaint and will I be updated on the outcome either way?
• What happens if there is a complaint about smoking in my establishment?
• Is there a requirement for certain signs regarding the smoking ban?
• What Florida law bans smoking in enclosed indoor workplaces?
• How do I obtain information about alcoholic beverage and tobacco licensees?
• What types of taxes are charged by the state for alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and tobacco products?
• I'm in the military and want to bring the wine I purchased for my personal consumption to my new residence in Florida. What do I do?
• What are the penalties for violating the smoking ban?
• Is a license needed to manufacture popsicles with wine as an ingredient?
• How do I attain full licensure once my military spouse license expires?