TIPS

What TIPS does

TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) is a US-based alcohol server and seller training provider founded in 1979 under the Health Education Foundation of Washington, DC, and now operating as a brand within the 360training family following its 2021 acquisition. The company sells six vertically-segmented certification programs — On-Premise, Off-Premise, Delivery, Concessions, Gaming, and University — each priced at $38 per individual course, with an ANAB-accredited Food Handler bundle at $47. All courses are state-approved or recognized across all 50 states plus DC, and certifications remain valid for 2-3 years. The platform is delivered through a cloud-based, mobile-friendly LMS that supports self-paced online learning, immediate certificate printing, and an LMS Manager layer for enterprise accounts with reporting, reminders, and progress tracking.

TIPS generates revenue through three streams: direct-to-consumer individual course purchases ($38 per course), bulk Pre-Paid Passport sales to enterprises (MGM Resorts, Dollar General, Gaylord Rockies, Resorts World NYC, Seneca Gaming, K-VA-T, Rocket Farm Restaurants, Treasure Island), and two-day Train-the-Trainer workshops that certify independent trainers who deliver in-person and virtual sessions in regional markets. Go-to-market combines self-serve PLG for individuals (with 5.7 million+ cumulative certifications), direct enterprise sales for bulk Passport programs, and a certified trainer network for classroom and virtual delivery. Marketing uses state-specific SEO landing pages, educational blog content, and organic social, while a partnership ecosystem with 70+ insurance carriers offers up to 25% liquor liability premium discounts to TIPS-certified clients, reinforcing the regulatory and risk-management value proposition that drives enterprise and individual adoption.

Name

TIPS

Legal name

TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS)

Website

https://gettips.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

TIPS is a US alcohol server and seller training provider offering six state-approved certification programs (On-Premise, Off-Premise, Delivery, Concessions, Gaming, University) via a cloud-based LMS to individual consumers, enterprises purchasing bulk Pre-Paid Passports, and a network of certified trainers across all 50 states plus DC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Compliance Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Sales, Customer Service & Soft Skills Training (BPACANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bar & Beverage (Bartending/Mixology/Coffee/Tea) (EDAOAKAH), Train-the-Trainer & Instructor Enablement Services (BPAEANAL)

Keywords

• Alcohol server training
• Responsible beverage service
• Online certification courses
• Compliance training programs
• Workplace safety training

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Individual Certification Courses: One-time purchase of online alcohol server training courses for individual certification. Courses include On-Premise ($38), Off-Premise ($38), Delivery ($38), Concessions ($38), Gaming ($38), and University ($38). Bundle packages with Food Handler training available at $47. Certifications valid for 2-3 years depending on jurisdiction.
2. Business Bulk Purchases (Passports): Businesses purchase pre-paid course Passports in bulk for employee training. Provides flexibility for organizations to assign registrations to new hires as needed. Volume pricing available.
3. Train-the-Trainer Workshops: Two-day Train-the-Trainer workshops allow individuals to become certified TIPS trainers. Offered both in-person (classroom) and virtual formats. Trainers can then deliver training to businesses and organizations in their areas.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

TIPS delivers skills-based alcohol server and seller certification training through six industry-specific programs (On-Premise, Off-Premise, Delivery, Concessions, Gaming, and University), available via self-paced online courses or trainer-led classroom sessions. The company supplements these core certifications with bulk Pre-Paid Passports for businesses, an LMS Manager for corporate training administration, Train-the-Trainer workshops, and an ANAB-accredited Food Handler Training bundle, all recognized by courts, liquor boards, and insurance carriers across the U.S.

Product overview

TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS) is a comprehensive alcohol server training platform offering multiple distinct programs across six alcohol serving industries: On-Premise (bars, restaurants, hotels), Off-Premise (liquor stores, grocery stores), Delivery (to-go and delivery services), Concessions (stadiums, festivals, events), Gaming (casinos, gambling halls), and University (college students). The core offering consists of skills-based training programs available online (self-paced) or through classroom instruction. Additional products include Pre-Paid Passports for bulk business purchases, LMS Manager for corporate training management and reporting, Train-the-Trainer workshops for certifying external trainers, ANAB-accredited Food Handler Training (bundled with alcohol courses), and an Incident Report Log Book for compliance documentation. TIPS operates as part of the 360training family of brands following its 2021 acquisition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TIPS On-Premise Alcohol Server Training A 4-hour skills-based alcohol server certification program designed for bartenders, servers, and other staff at restaurants, bars, hotels, and other establishments where alcohol is consumed on the premises. The training teaches strategies for responsible alcohol service, professionalism, and customer service, and is approved in states where required. Certification is typically valid for 3 years.
• TIPS Off-Premise Alcohol Server Training A 3-hour certification program addressing the sale of alcohol at grocery stores, liquor stores, convenience stores, and package stores. Clerks learn strategies for preventing illegal alcohol sales to underage and/or intoxicated patrons, including fake ID detection.
• TIPS Off-Premise & Alcohol Delivery Training A 3-hour certification program addressing off-premise alcohol sales combined with delivery or takeout services. Sellers and delivery personnel learn strategies for preventing illegal alcohol sales or delivery to underage and/or intoxicated patrons.
• TIPS Concessions Alcohol Training A 3-hour certification program for environments such as stadiums, arenas, theaters, concert halls, fairs, amusement parks, and festivals. The focus is on assessing patrons in a short period of time to prevent illegal alcohol sales and reduce alcohol-related incidents.
• TIPS Gaming Alcohol Training A 3-hour certification program used by casinos, riverboats, and gambling halls. This program focuses on issues presented by guests receiving complimentary cocktails while gambling and on guests staying on property for extended visits.
• TIPS University A 3-hour certification program tailored for university and college students, providing peer intervention skills for social and campus alcohol-related situations to prevent alcohol-related incidents.
• TIPS Pre-Paid Passports A bulk purchase solution for businesses that allows organizations to buy multiple course registrations in advance at volume pricing; organizations receive unique access codes to distribute to employees as they are hired.
• LMS Manager A Learning Management System included with TIPS corporate accounts that provides manager-level access for building reports, sending reminders, tracking course progress, monitoring enrollments, and measuring overall training performance.
• Train-the-Trainer Workshop A two-day workshop that certifies individuals to become TIPS trainers, offered both in-person and virtually. Graduates gain subject-matter expertise and the ability to deliver TIPS programs to businesses and organizations in their areas.
• Food Handler Training An ANAB-accredited (ANSI National Accreditation Board) Food Handler Training program that can be purchased standalone or bundled with TIPS alcohol server training courses for a combined certification package.
• Incident Report Log Book A physical log book used by establishments to maintain daily records of alcohol incidents, service refusals, and other alcohol-service-related events to help demonstrate compliance efforts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Potential insurance premium discount up to 25% for TIPS-certified clients
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• 360trainingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021360training acquired TIPS in 2021, bringing together two companies with fundamentally aligned goals. The partnership significantly increases 360training's reach in the food and beverage industry, allowing alcohol sellers and servers to access required training anywhere in the United States. TIPS operates as part of the 360training family of brands.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ServSafe Alcohol: ServSafe Alcohol, offered by the National Restaurant Association, is the most direct competitor to TIPS, providing alcohol server/seller training and certification to restaurants and bars nationwide. It overlaps with TIPS on core On-Premise training content and customer base.
• StateFoodSafety: StateFoodSafety provides online food handler and alcohol server training courses with state-specific approvals, directly competing with TIPS on Off-Premise and food-safety-adjacent certifications.
• eFoodhandlers: eFoodhandlers offers ANAB-accredited online food handler training and ancillary alcohol/safety courses, overlapping with TIPS' Food Handler bundling and lower-tier compliance training market.
• American Safety Council: American Safety Council provides online safety and compliance training including alcohol server certification in several states, positioning it as a competitor for state-approved alcohol training programs.
• TAM (Training Alternatives for Men / Server Training Corp.): TAM (The Alcohol Management) provides online and classroom alcohol server training programs certified in multiple states, directly competing with TIPS for both individual and enterprise server-training customers.

Others

• Learn2Serve: A sibling brand under the 360training family offering food handler, alcohol, and responsible service training. It is not a direct competitor but operates the same regulatory training categories as TIPS within the parent's broader portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• 360training: 360training is TIPS' parent company and the broader compliance training platform that houses TIPS alongside Learn2Serve, OSHAcampus, and other regulatory training brands, providing the technology, payment, and distribution backbone.
• National Restaurant Association (ServSafe parent): The National Restaurant Association is the largest U.S. hospitality trade group and parent of ServSafe, the dominant food and alcohol safety training program, making it a powerful incumbent competitor with unmatched industry reach.

Emerging players

• Learn4Good Bartender School: Learn4Good aggregates listings and connects users with bartender schools and certification programs, including TIPS-style alcohol safety training, serving as a comparison/discovery channel for individual learners.

Regional players

• Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) State Programs: Several U.S. state ABC agencies (e.g., California's RBS, Oregon OLCC, Illinois BASSET) operate their own state-mandated training programs that compete directly with TIPS in their respective jurisdictions, often at lower or no cost.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/health-communications-inc.
• Xx.com/tipstraining
• Facebookfacebook.com/the-tips-program-311235034036

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TIPS