1. What is the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG)?

With over 60 years of presence in the United States and International coverage in affiliation with the International Bartender's Association (IBA) in over 50 countries, the United States Bartenders' Guild is the largest network of professional bartenders and is setting the standard for the profession throughout the country. The USBG is a non-profit organization founded in 1948 and registered a non-profit organization in 1967 in Southern California. Over the years the guild has expanded nationally and is now in the following cities; Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Denver, Hawaii, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, New Mexico, New Orleans, New York, North Texas, Northern California, Oregon, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Reno, Rhode Island, San Diego, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Tucson and continues to grow.

2. What is the USBG’s Master Accreditation Program (MA Program)?

The USBG's Master Accreditation is a non-brand directed Bartender/Mixologist testing program. This program a comprehensive series of written and practical tests – designed to educate, evaluate and further accredit beverage, spirit, and service industry professionals with a valid title granted by the USBG and recognized by the International Bartender’s Association.

3. Who created this program?

The USBG has gathered information from experts all over the world and from all realms of the industry forming a team of renowned experts that have come together to create the Master Accreditation Program and set the standard for the profession of Bartending. These experts range in all spirit categories, wine, sake, beer, cigars, and have created tests that will change the industry as we know it. For a list of contributors please visit http://www.usbg.org/board.php.

4. Who has validated/recognized this program?

This program is recognized by the International Bartender’s Association (IBA) in over 50 countries and by our country’s leading experts from the hospitality and beverage industry.

5. Upon completion and passing, is there a certificate and/or publication that is awarded?

Graduates will receive a lapel pin, a graduation certificate, and the choice to add acronyms after their name.

SP	Designates a Spirits Professional
AB	Designates an Advanced Bartender
MM	Designates a Master Mixologist

Their names will be listed under the USBG web-site’s graduates and press releases will be issued to the press announcing their accomplishment.

6. What is passing score and format for each exam?

Each individual must pass all exams with 75% proficiency.

The Spirits Professional test is 100 multiple choice/true or false questions and can be completed online or live, with a time frame of 45 minutes.ve setting, with a time frame of 45 minutes.

The Advanced Bartender Written portion is 100 multiple choice/true or false questions can be completed online or live, with a time frame of 45 minutes. The Practical portion of the Advanced Bartender exam must be completed live at one of the remote locations. This exam is made of 5 modules that cover a Cocktail Tasting, a Spirits Tasting, two bartending performances and a bar management essay. For a list of live locations please follow the link for Master’s Accreditation from USBG.org site.

The Master Mixologist Exam is currently still under development.

7. How are the exams administered online? Are they timed?

The written exams can be taken online or at one our Live Events. Both online and live exams may be purchased online. Once an exam is purchased, it is immediately populated on the user profile page. The user will receive instructions and a warning that the exam must be taken without interruption. The exam can take a maximum of 45 minutes for the Spirits Professional Exam and one hour for the Advanced Bartender Written Exam. The user has 28 seconds to answer each question before the system will automatically move on to the next question. If an answer is not provided, it will be marked as incorrect. The system does not allow the user to pass on a question and come back to it. At the completion of the exam, the user is notified immediately as to whether they have passed or not.

8. What is the individual passing rate for each exam?

68 out of 100 students pass the Spirits Professional Exam and 15 out of 100 students pass the overall Advanced Bartender Exam. The Master Mixologist Exam is not available at this time.

9. Is there a study guide available?

We are currently working on an MA Program Study Guide. This educational handbook will be available for purchase on the USBG website soon.

10. Is the Study Guide the only way to prepare for the tests?

The study guide is recommended but not required to prepare for the exam. For a list of approved providers visit http://www.usbg.org/resources.php

11. How intense are the courses, how much study time will I need to invest?

Each individual’s time investment will be different because everyone’s knowledge base is different. The study guide can be purchased ahead of time and the exam taken once the individual becomes well acquainted with the study guide and the material covered.

12. How many retake exams are allowed and what is the time frame between each exam?

Each user can only take a particular version of an exam one time. There are currently four versions of the Spirits Professional Exam and two versions of the Advanced Bartender Exam. There is no specified time frame between taking these exams. The user determines when they feel prepared to take or retake an exam. The system will not allow the user to purchase or take the same version of an exam again.

13. If I do not have any beverage, bartending or bar knowledge experience, is this program recommended to start a new career?

We do not recommend this testing program to individuals who do not have experience in the beverage industry. It is a very intense program and requires bar and spirits knowledge.

14. What is the progress of the Master Mixologist Part of the Master’s Accreditation Program, when will it be available?

The Master Mixologist Exam portion of the Master’s Accreditation Program is currently being developed. We anticipate this level to be available in January, 2012. If you are interested in taking this exam, please join our mailing list at ma@usbg.org so that we may inform you when it is available.

15. Having the title of a "Spirits Professional", or "Advanced Bartender" - how might that assist in professional career growth in the industry?

The USBG has become a benchmark for the Bartending industry. We have established ourselves as a group of individuals dedicated to elevating the craft of Bartending. The goal of the Master Accreditation Program is to assist Bartenders in gaining the national recognition for their accomplishments and to set themselves among the best in the business. As more and more bartenders complete the MA Program, they will gain the recognition and respect of national accounts as well as with their colleagues.