The Iowa Department of Revenue offers the “Iowa Program for Alcohol Compliance Training,” or I-PACT, at no cost to employees and prospective employees of licensees and permittees. The goal of I-PACT is to inform employees about state laws and regulations regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages to underage persons, as well as the importance of compliance with these laws. For more information, visit I-PACT.com.
Establishments that choose to participate in I-PACT are granted an affirmative defense, which may be used once in a four-year period. If an alcohol underage sale violation occurs at its establishment, the business may avoid civil prosecution. However, for the business to take advantage of the affirmative defense, the employee responsible for the violation must have been I-PACT certified prior to the offense occurring. The affirmative defense cannot be used if the employee sold to a person under the age of 18. While the business is eligible to avoid a civil penalty, the guilty employee will still be subject to a fine, and their I-PACT certification will be revoked.
Although other programs offer alcohol-service training, most do not specifically concentrate on Iowa alcohol laws. Effective July 1, 2024, the director of the Department may approve third-party responsible alcohol service programs meeting the Department’s criteria as providing training equivalent to I-PACT standards. An establishment that chooses to participate in a director-approved third-party program is also granted an affirmative defense, subject to the same terms and conditions as an establishment’s participation in I-PACT, as specified in Iowa Code section 123.49(5) (2024).
To be considered for approval by the director, a Third-Party Responsible Alcohol Service Program must include comprehensive training on the following objectives:
Iowa Alcohol Laws and Regulations
Proper procedures for checking identification and detecting false/altered IDs
Iowa’s laws on selling/serving to underage persons, including penalties
Iowa’s laws on selling/serving to intoxicated patrons
Dram shop liability and responsibilities of servers/sellers
Required signage and other statutory obligations
Responsible Alcohol Service Practices
Evaluating signs of intoxication and impairment
Techniques for refusing service and preventing over-service
Promoting alternatives to drinking and driving (non-alcoholic drinks, food, safe transportation)
Handling difficult situations and de-escalation strategies
Affirmative Defense Requirements
Criteria for establishments to qualify for the affirmative defense
Limitations on using the affirmative defense (e.g. sales to persons under the age of 18)
Effects of the affirmative defense on liability for licensees versus employees
An authorized representative of the third-party responsible alcohol service program must initiate, prepare, and submit the program application, along with requested materials. Please ensure all sections are fully completed and documents are properly attached before submitting an application.
