APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR AN ORIGINAL AND/OR PROVISIONAL OPERATOR'S (BARTENDER'S) LICENSE
Who Needs an Original Operator’s (Bartender’s) License?
Any person 18 or older who is serving or selling alcohol beverages in an establishment with a Class A, B or C license must obtain an operator’s license (commonly called a “bartender’s license”), unless the person is under the “immediate supervision” (see below) of one of the following:
- The Licensee
- Someone with the privilege of an operator’s license
- The approved agent of a corporation or limited liability company
- A person with an operator’s license
- A person with a manager’s license, Wis. Stat. sec. 125.18
“Immediate Supervision”
The licensee, members of the licensee’s immediate family who are 18 or older, a licensed operator, a licensed manager, or approved agent must be able to see, at all times, the activities of those persons serving alcohol beverages that don't have a license. It is not enough for the person supervising merely to be on the premises. OAG 9-10-62 (informal opinion).
The operator’s license allows you to work at any licensed establishment within the City of Greenfield.
Requirements
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have either:
- Completed a Responsible Beverage Server Training Course within the past 2 years; (the training course must be approved by the WI Dept. of Revenue and a Certificate of Completion must be submitted with the application. For a list of approved courses click here; or
- Held an operator’s license, retail alcohol license or manager’s license in Wisconsin within the past 2 years. (a certified copy of the operator’s, retail or manager’s license must be submitted with the application. Click here for an example)
Fees
Once the application has been submitted, an email will be sent when the invoice is ready to be paid.
- Original Operator's License - $50
- Background Check Fee - $10
**Please note when paying for your license online with a credit card, there will be a transaction fee of 2.5% with a minimum of $2.00 added to your payment** If you want to avoid the fee, you can mail a check to:
City Clerk's Office
7325 W. Forest Home Ave., Rm, 102
Greenfield, WI 53220
Deadline for Application Submittal
Applications must be approved by the Greenfield Common Council. Applications must be submitted at least 13 days prior to a Council meeting to be eligible for consideration. The Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. From June through September, the Council meets only once per month (on the 3rd Tuesday of each month). If your employer needs you to start right away, see the section below on applying for a Provisional Operator’s License.
License Period
License year begins July 1 and ends on June 30th of the following year. Once the license is approved, you will be notified via email that you can access it for printing or viewing electronically through your BS&A online account.
Renewal Applicants
If you held an operator’s license in the City of Greenfield during the previous license year, complete the Renewal operator license application.
If it has been more than 1 license year since you held an operator’s license in the City of Greenfield, complete the original operator’s license application and submit the documentation listed under “Requirements.”
Who Needs a Provisional Operator’s (Bartender’s) License?
If your employer needs you to start work as soon as possible, then you can apply for the Provisional Operator’s License. You must also simultaneously apply for an Original Operator’s License (which requires Common Council approval to issue). A provisional license is ready within a week.
Requirements
Applicants must submit a letter from their employer requesting that a provisional operator’s license be issued. The letter needs to include the applicant’s name, place of employment, and signature of supervisor/manager. In addition, applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Fees
Once the application has been submitted, an email will be sent when the invoice is ready to be paid.
- Provisional Operator's License - $15
License Period
A provisional operator’s license is valid for 60 days or until an Original Operator’s License is issued. Applicants must pass a background check. The process takes approximately one week from the submission of the paperwork and fees. Once the background check is approved, you will be notified via email that you can access it for printing or viewing electronically through your BS&A online account.