Requirements to Become a Bartender By Mark Baroni

Legal Requirements

The minimum age requirement to become a bartender in the state of Maryland is 18. There are some cities, Annapolis for instance, where the minimum age is 21. Here is a chart with the other state's minimum ages to become a certified bartender:

AL - 21
AK - 21
AZ - 19
AR - 18
CA - 21
CO - 18
CT - 18
DE - 21
DC - 21
FL - 18
GA - 18
HI - 18
ID - 19
IL - 18*
IN - 21
IA - 18
KS - 21
KY - 20
LA - 18
MA - 18
ME - 18
MD - 18*
MI - 18
MN - 18
MS - 18
MO - 21
MT - 21
NE - 19
NV - 21
NH - 18
NJ - 18
NY - 18
NM - 21
NC - 21
ND - 21
OH - 21
OK - 21
OR - 21
PA - 18
RI - 18
SC - 21
SD - 18
TN - 18
TX - 18
UT - 21
VT - 18
VA - 21
WA - 21
WV - 18
WI - 18
WY - 21

* Indicates Stricter Cities of 21

Aside from the age requirement, you must also have a clean criminal record (no felonies).

Other Requirements

If you meet the legal minimum age requirement, you are half way to becoming a bartender. But there are a bunch of personal qualities that will help you become successful. Assuming your goal is to get and hold a good paying bartender job, you have to have:

Great manners - since you will be dealing with customers during the entire course of your work day, and since they are your paycheck (tips), you want to have a great attitude and good manners to server them with.

Patience - this is only a requirement to become a bartender because you will often be dealing with drunken customers. If they are impatient, you must be more patient, understanding that they are intoxicated and would otherwise not act like they are.

Stamina - considering the fact that you will be standing for several hours on end, you will need to have the wind to carry you all the way through a busy day at the bar.

Honesty - most people pay with cash when at the bar, and thus you will be handling a lot of money. Also, you have the ability to pour drinks, charge the customer for them, but never ring them up. Only do this if you want to get fired really fast.

Good sense of humor - People using visit the bar because they are looking to loosen up and have a good time. Therefore, if you have a good sense of humor and can joke with your customers, they are likely to tip you more and have a good time. If you're really good, they will frequent the bar you work at and ask for you specifically!

Beyond those personal qualities, there aren't any other requirements to become a bartender.

I run a bartending school in Baltimore, MD - if you're interested in becoming a bartender, please visit: http://www.marylandbartending.com

Take a free introductory class to learn everything you want to know about bartending school:
http://www.marylandbartending.com/free-bartending-classes-maryland.html

How to Become an Aromatherapist By Sharron Myers

Has the thought of becoming an aromatherapist ever entered your mind? Many people are searching for a way to turn something they love into a full time job. Can taking aromatherapy courses allow you to enjoy a lucrative vocation?

Many people believe that taking aromatherapy courses are only good for teaching them how to use essential oils safely and effectively for their own personal interests. The truth of the matter is that not only do aromatherapy courses teach you how to mix essential oils for making soaps, candles and other homemade products, they also teach you how to use the skills you learn via the aromatherapy courses so that you too can become a certified aromatherapist.

By becoming a certified aromatherapist you would be receiving the aromatherapy training necessary to work in the wonderful field of Alternative Medicine and enjoy the many benefits that a good aromatherapy course would teach you.

What type of work could you do if you received your certification in aromatherapy? As an aromatherapist you could work in a spa, consulting clients on the proper choice of essential oils they may need. How about consulting massage therapists on the best massage blend for their clients who are stressed out, or suffer from headaches.

If you wanted you could also open a retail store of your own and sell essential oils. If you have received your certification in Aromatherapy you would be much better able to assist your customers than the fellow working down the road in a natural health food store who has no aromatherapy training.

Does it matter which aromatherapy courses you take? Yes it matters. You would need both a Level I and Level II Aromatherapy Course in order to become certified as an aromatherapist. You must be sure that the courses offered meet the standards required by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy. Be sure to check the syllabus for any aromatherapy courses you may be interested in and make certain that they meet the standards necessary.

As a certified aromatherapist myself, I can't tell you how much I enjoy working with people everyday and teaching them how to use essential oils safely and effectively. I definitely recommend that you search the Internet and find a good, affordable aromatherapy course that you can learn from at home in your spare time. Adding extra income to the family budget is always a plus and you will see for yourself how great it is to take healing back into your own hands.

This article is bought to you by Sharron Myers
Sharron Myers has been a teacher of Spiritual Truth for over 30 years. She also is a Certified Aromatherapist and Personal Development Consultant. Be sure to check out her sites:
Serene Aromatherapy
http://www.sharron-myers.com
To Live the Life You Want, Learn the Skills You Need