Individuals applying for liquor permits in Connecticut must now complete a liquor education program before final permits will be issued by the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection – Liquor Division. This requirement applies to permittees, and individual backers of permits including all members of backer corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships. It is also mandated for applicants seeking approval of transfer of interest and substitution of permittee.
The online liquor permit education program deals with topics such as prevention of sale of alcohol to minors, overservice of alcohol, restrictions on alcoholic beverage promotions and other subjects. It is required for both on-premises and off-premises liquor permit establishments.
The free, online course can be accessed via portal.ct.gov. The effort is a partnership between the State of Connecticut Departments of Consumer Protection (DCP), Transportation (DOT) and Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). The course takes approximately one hour to finish and at the end, participants will receive a certificate of completion for maintenance in permit premises records.
Existing permittees and liquor permit holders are also encouraged to take the course to gain valuable training and support.
The legislation creating this mandatory training course became effective on January 1, 2026. There are some exemptions to the liquor education requirement. For example, no person holding an active provisional permit on January 1, 2026 shall be required to complete the liquor education, and those holding active final permits on January 1, 2026 are not required to complete the program to renew such permit.
For more information, please contact Carmody’s Alcohol & Beverage lawyers:
Liz Suchy
Partner
203.252.2656
[email protected]
Carmody’s Alcohol & Beverage lawyers represent a range of clients in Connecticut’s unique and highly-regulated alcoholic beverage marketplace. Our experience in representing participants in the alcoholic beverage market spans the three tiers of manufacture, distribution, and retail.
This information is for educational purposes only, to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. It does not constitute legal advice and does not establish any attorney-client relationship.