Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC Board)

Total public member:                7           

Method of Appointment:           Appointed by Mayor, confirmed by Council     

Length of Appointment:           4 years

Residency:                              DC residents from all 8 wards

Paid board:                              Stipend

Description:

The Board shall: (1) Oversee ABRA; (2) Receive and evaluate applications for licenses, transfers of licenses to new owners, and renewals of licenses; (3) Issue, transfer, and renew licenses to qualified applicants; (4) Regularly conduct inspections of the premises and the books and records of all licensees during day and evening hours and, on a reasonable number of occasions, without prior notification to the licensee or the licensee's employees, for compliance with regulations; (5) Establish procedures to receive and respond timely to complaints from any person alleging certain violations; (6) Conduct investigations, on its own initiative or on the basis of valid complaints, to identify violations of regulations; (7) Suspend or revoke licenses and impose civil fines as authorized by regulations; and (8) Refer evidence of criminal misconduct to the Inspector General of the District of Columbia, the Corporation Counsel, or the United States Attorney for the District, for investigation and prosecution.

Commission membership: 

The Board shall be composed of 7 members.  

Qualifications:  

Each member of the Board shall be a resident of the District for at least 3 years immediately preceding his appointment, and during that period, have claimed a principal residence nowhere else. No member of the Board shall hold any other full-time employment with the District government during his or her term of service on the Board. Each member of the Board shall have a demonstrated record of substantial involvement in issues related to the community impact of licensed establishments before his or her appointment to the Board. The chairperson shall have a demonstrated knowledge of the laws and regulations relating to the sale and delivery of alcoholic beverages in the District.

If you are interested in an appointment to this board, please complete the appointment application. A member of our team will contact you to discuss the opportunity.