Last updated 2026-07-26
TL;DR
No, not in the way the question implies. Brendan Carr is chairman of the FCC, a federal agency with zero authority over state liquor licenses. He has made comments about broadcast licenses (ABC the network, owned by Disney) tied to FCC rules, which gets confused online with ABC the liquor authority acronym. State liquor licenses are pulled by state Alcoholic Beverage Control boards, not the FCC.
Did Brendan Carr threaten to revoke an ABC license?
Short answer: not a liquor license, no. Brendan Carr is the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), appointed to that role by President Trump and sworn in as chairman in January 2025 [1]. His job covers broadcast licenses for TV and radio stations, telecom regulation, and spectrum policy. He has no jurisdiction over state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agencies, which are the state bodies that issue, renew, suspend, and revoke liquor licenses. The confusion is almost entirely about the letters. ABC is both the common shorthand for a state's Alcoholic Beverage Control authority (as in the New York State Liquor Authority's ABC Law, or California's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control) and the brand name of the ABC television network, owned by Disney. When Carr made public comments about broadcast license consequences for ABC (the network) over programming disputes, that got picked up and reshared in ways that made some people think a federal official was threatening bars and restaurants over their liquor licenses. He was not. Different ABC, different agency, different legal universe. If you run a bar or restaurant and someone tells you 'the FCC is coming for your liquor license,' that's simply not how any of this works. The FCC regulates broadcasters and the airwaves. Your liquor license lives entirely at the state (and often county or city) level, administered by whatever your state calls its ABC board, liquor control commission, or alcohol beverage commission.
What did Brendan Carr actually say about ABC?
Carr's public comments that triggered this whole mix-up were about ABC the broadcast network, specifically in the context of FCC authority over local TV station license renewals. In 2024, before he became chairman, Carr suggested on social media and in interviews that broadcast licenses could face scrutiny tied to programming decisions, comments that got wide coverage when Jimmy Kimmel's ABC show became a flashpoint later on [2]. The FCC does have real legal authority to review and, in rare cases, deny renewal of broadcast station licenses under the Communications Act, but that power runs through local affiliate stations (the physical broadcast license held by a station, not the network itself) and requires specific administrative processes, not a chairman's tweet [3]. Disney/ABC as a corporate entity does not hold a single national broadcast license the FCC can simply revoke; local affiliate stations hold their own licenses. None of this touches liquor licensing. No FCC chairman, past or present, has any statutory role in whether a restaurant's beer and wine license gets renewed, suspended, or pulled. That authority sits with state ABC boards under state alcoholic beverage control statutes.
Who actually has the power to revoke a liquor license?
Your state's Alcoholic Beverage Control authority (or equivalent agency) holds that power, full stop. Every state has its own ABC board or commission that issues licenses and can suspend or revoke them for cause, typically things like sales to minors, sales after hours, gambling violations, or repeated compliance failures found during inspections or sting operations. In California, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control operates under the Business and Professions Code, and can suspend or revoke licenses for violations documented under Article 3 of that code. In New York, the State Liquor Authority operates under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, which spells out the specific grounds for revocation, including sales to visibly intoxicated patrons and licensed premises disorder [4]. Florida's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, housed inside the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, handles the same function for that state [5]. Local governments can also matter a lot here. Many cities and counties layer their own zoning, conditional use permits, and nuisance ordinances on top of the state license, so a bar can lose its ability to operate locally even while its state license stays technically valid, or vice versa. If you're planning an opening date, build in time for both layers, more than the state ABC process. For a state-by-state look at how these agencies are structured, see our bar and liquor guides.
How much is a liquor license?
There's no single national number, and anyone who quotes you one flat figure is oversimplifying. Liquor license costs depend heavily on the state, the license type (beer and wine only versus full liquor, on-premise versus off-premise), and whether your state runs a quota system that caps the number of licenses available in a given county or population tier. In quota states, where licenses are capped by population and existing licenses rarely open up, you often have to buy an existing license on the open secondary market, and those prices can run into the tens of thousands or, in dense metro areas, hundreds of thousands of dollars, because you're paying for scarcity, more than a state fee. In non-quota or 'open' states, the state application and issuance fee itself might be a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, but confirm with your state ABC authority for the exact current fee schedule, since these change and vary by county too. Budget beyond the license fee itself: application/filing fees, local zoning or conditional use permit fees, fingerprinting and background check fees, surety bond costs in some states, and legal or consulting help if you're navigating a quota transfer. If you want a structured way to map all of this against your actual opening date, our $199 State Liquor License Roadmap walks through the state-specific steps and cost categories so you're not guessing at the sequence.
How much is a liquor license in Florida?
Florida issues several license series, and cost depends on which one you need and, for quota licenses, your county. Florida's quota license system (governed under Chapter 561 of the Florida Statutes) caps certain full-liquor licenses by county population, one new license per roughly 7,500 residents in most counties, with limited exceptions [6]. Quota licenses in dense or popular counties often trade on the secondary market for well into six figures, because supply is fixed by law and demand is not. Non-quota licenses, like beer and wine only (2-COP or similar series) or special licenses for certain venue types (hotels above a certain room count, for example), have lower state fees and don't require you to buy out an existing holder. The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco publishes license type descriptions and fee schedules, and that's the primary source to check rather than a secondhand estimate [5]. Florida also charges annual state license fees on top of any purchase price if you buy a quota license secondhand, plus local business tax receipts in most counties and cities. If you're opening in Florida and need general legal reference on the practice side of licensing (not liquor law specifically), our florida bar and florida bar member search pages cover the attorney licensing side, which is a different system entirely from ABC licensing but comes up if you're hiring counsel for a transfer.
How do I get a liquor license?
The general path is similar across states even though the details differ: confirm your license type, check quota availability, file the state application, satisfy local zoning, and pass required inspections before you get approved to pour. First, identify which license type fits your business, on-premise consumption (bar, restaurant) versus off-premise (retail package store), and beer/wine only versus full liquor. Second, check whether your state or county runs a quota system for that license type; if it does, you may need to buy an existing license rather than apply for a new one, since quota states typically only issue new licenses when population growth triggers additional allotments [6]. Third, file your application with the state ABC authority, which usually requires business formation documents, lease or deed proof for the premises, fingerprinting, and disclosure of any ownership interests. Fourth, clear local requirements, zoning approval, a certificate of occupancy, health department sign-off, and sometimes a public notice or hearing period where neighbors can object. Timelines vary enormously, from a few weeks in simple non-quota, no-objection cases to several months or longer when a hearing, quota transfer, or local moratorium is involved. Back-plan from your target opening date and build in slack, because ABC processing delays are common and rarely explained in advance.
How to obtain a liquor license (or licence) step by step
Whether you spell it license or licence, the process in the US runs through your state ABC authority, not a federal agency, and not the FCC. Start with your state's specific application portal or paper form, which every state ABC agency publishes along with required documents and current fee amounts, confirm with your state ABC authority directly rather than relying on aggregator sites for exact figures, since fees and forms change. Most states want: your business entity formed and in good standing, a signed lease or proof of premises control, fingerprint-based background checks for owners and sometimes managers, a floor plan of the licensed premises, proof of any required local approvals (zoning, fire, health), and payment of application and issuance fees. Some states also require a public notice period, publishing your intent to apply in a local paper or posting a sign at the premises, so neighbors or competitors can formally object before the license issues. If you're in a quota state and no new licenses are available, you'll instead work through a transfer, buying an existing license from a current holder and getting the state to approve the transfer to your entity and location. That process typically takes longer than a fresh application in a non-quota state because it involves due diligence on the seller's license history and often a public hearing.
Can you serve alcohol without a liquor license?
No, not for a business open to the public. Serving or selling alcoholic beverages without a valid state liquor license is illegal in every US state and typically charged as a criminal offense, more than a regulatory violation, on top of any administrative penalty the ABC board imposes. There are narrow exceptions that confuse people: private, non-commercial gatherings where no sale occurs generally don't require a license (serving wine at your own dinner party isn't the same as running a bar). Some states also allow limited exceptions for events with a temporary or special-event permit, which is still a license, just a short-duration one issued for a specific date and venue rather than a permanent on-premise license. If you're opening a restaurant or bar and think you can 'soft launch' serving alcohol before your license clears, don't. Operating without the license, or outside the scope of the license you hold (serving liquor on a beer-and-wine-only license, for example), risks fines, forced closure, and can jeopardize your ability to get licensed at all going forward, since ABC boards check applicant history for prior violations.
How to get a bartending license
Most states don't actually require a 'bartending license' in the way people mean it; what they usually need is a responsible beverage service (RBS) certification, sometimes state-mandated, sometimes just insurer- or employer-required. This is different from the liquor license your bar or restaurant holds, that one belongs to the business, not the individual pouring drinks. States that do mandate server/seller training include programs like TIPS (Training for Intervention ProcedureS), ServSafe Alcohol, and various state-specific programs; some states, like Oregon and Utah, have their own mandatory certification systems administered through the state liquor authority . Coverage and requirements differ: some states require certification for anyone who serves alcohol, some only for certain license types, and some leave it entirely optional unless your local jurisdiction or insurer requires it. To get certified, you typically take a short online or in-person course (a few hours), pass a test, and get a certificate valid for a set number of years (commonly two to five, depending on the program and state). Check your specific state ABC authority's website for whether certification is mandatory where you're working, and don't assume a national certificate automatically satisfies every state's rule.
Can anyone take the bar exam?
This question usually gets asked by people who searched 'ABC' or 'bar' and landed somewhere unexpected, but it's worth answering plainly since it comes up alongside liquor licensing searches: yes, generally, with conditions. The bar exam (the test lawyers take to get licensed to practice law) is administered state by state, and eligibility typically requires graduating from an ABA-accredited law school (or meeting an alternate state-specific path in a handful of states) and passing character and fitness review . This has nothing to do with alcohol licensing. It's a coincidence of language: 'the bar' means both a legal profession credential and a place that serves drinks, and 'ABC' means both a broadcast network and an alcohol regulatory agency. If you're trying to find information on becoming a lawyer, our california bar page covers that state's specific licensing body, and florida bar member search lets you look up a licensed Florida attorney by name. If you actually meant liquor licensing for your restaurant or bar business, the rest of this article, and our bares guide for Spanish-language search on bar licensing, will be more useful than anything about legal bar admission.
Why do people confuse FCC authority with liquor license revocation?
It comes down to overlapping acronyms and a news cycle that moved fast. Brendan Carr's real, documented authority as FCC Chairman covers broadcast license renewals for TV and radio stations under the Communications Act [3]. His public comments in 2024 and 2025 about consequences for ABC (the Disney-owned network) over programming content got widely shared, and some search traffic and social posts shortened this to 'Carr threatens to revoke ABC license,' which reads very differently out of context to someone who runs a bar and associates 'ABC' with their state's Alcoholic Beverage Control board. No credible reporting from major outlets has connected FCC chairman Brendan Carr to any state liquor licensing action, because there is no legal mechanism for that connection to exist. Federal telecom regulation and state alcohol regulation are entirely separate legal systems, run by entirely separate agencies, under entirely separate statutes. If you're a restaurant or bar owner who saw this headline somewhere and got worried it applied to you, it doesn't. Your liquor license risk comes from your state ABC board, local compliance checks, and your own operating record, not from federal broadcast policy.
What should bar and restaurant owners actually watch for regarding license revocation?
Focus on the real risks: compliance violations, expired renewals, and unresolved local permit issues, not federal broadcast news. State ABC boards revoke or suspend licenses almost exclusively for documented violations, sales to minors, serving visibly intoxicated patrons who then cause harm, gambling or prostitution on premises, or repeated failure to renew and pay required fees on time [4]. Build a simple compliance calendar: renewal deadlines (many states require annual or biennial renewal), staff training certification expiration dates if your state mandates RBS training, and local permit renewal dates (health department, fire, zoning conditional use if applicable). Missing a renewal deadline is one of the most common, entirely avoidable ways owners lose a license or face a lapse that halts service. If you get a violation notice or compliance letter from your state ABC authority, respond promptly and in writing, and consider getting licensed counsel involved early rather than waiting for a hearing date to figure out your options. Most revocations don't happen overnight; they follow a documented pattern of violations or a serious single incident, with notice and hearing rights built into the process under state administrative procedure law.
Frequently asked questions
Did Brendan Carr threaten to revoke a liquor license?
No. Brendan Carr is FCC Chairman and has no authority over state liquor licenses. His public comments were about broadcast licenses for ABC the television network, which is confused with ABC the common abbreviation for state Alcoholic Beverage Control agencies. Two completely separate systems.
How much is a liquor license?
It depends entirely on your state, license type, and whether your area uses a quota system. Non-quota state fees can run a few hundred to a few thousand dollars; quota-state licenses bought on the secondary market can run tens of thousands to well over six figures. Confirm current fees with your state ABC authority.
How much is a liquor license in Florida?
Florida's quota full-liquor licenses, capped roughly one per 7,500 county residents under Florida Statutes Chapter 561, often trade for six figures in dense counties. Non-quota beer/wine or special licenses cost far less at the state fee level. Check the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco for current fee schedules.
How do I get a liquor license?
Confirm your license type and whether your state or county uses a quota system, then apply through your state ABC authority with business formation documents, lease proof, fingerprinting, and local zoning approval. Quota states may require buying an existing license instead of a new application. Timelines range from weeks to many months.
How to obtain a liquor license or licence for a new restaurant?
File with your state's ABC authority using their published application, provide lease and entity documents, complete background checks, and secure local zoning and health approvals. If your state uses a quota system with no licenses available, you'll need to buy and transfer an existing license instead of applying fresh.
Can you serve alcohol without a liquor license?
No. Selling or serving alcohol commercially without a valid state license is illegal everywhere in the US and typically carries criminal penalties plus administrative consequences. Narrow exceptions exist for private non-commercial gatherings or events under a temporary special-event permit, which is itself a form of license.
How to get a bartending license?
Most states require responsible beverage service (RBS) certification rather than a formal 'bartending license.' Programs like TIPS or ServSafe Alcohol, or state-run programs in places like Oregon and Utah, typically involve a short course, a test, and a certificate valid two to five years. Check your state ABC authority for mandatory status.
Can anyone take the bar exam?
Generally yes, if you've graduated from an ABA-accredited law school (or met a state's alternate path) and pass character and fitness review. This is a legal profession credential unrelated to liquor licensing; the overlap in searches comes purely from the shared word 'bar.'
Who actually has authority to revoke a liquor license?
Your state's Alcoholic Beverage Control agency or equivalent commission, operating under that state's alcohol beverage control statutes. Local governments can also affect operations through zoning and conditional use permits, but the license itself is a state-issued credential, not a federal one.
What does Brendan Carr actually oversee as FCC Chairman?
Broadcast station license renewals, spectrum policy, and telecom regulation under the Communications Act. This covers local TV and radio station licenses, not any liquor license and not Disney/ABC as a corporate entity directly, since local affiliate stations hold the actual broadcast licenses.
Is ABC the TV network the same as ABC the liquor authority?
No, they're unrelated entities that happen to share an acronym. ABC the network is a Disney-owned broadcaster regulated by the FCC. ABC as used in liquor licensing refers to a state's Alcoholic Beverage Control agency, the body that issues and revokes drink licenses at the state level.
How long does it take to get a liquor license approved?
It varies widely: a straightforward non-quota application with no objections might clear in a few weeks to a couple months, while quota transfers, contested hearings, or backlogged state agencies can take six months or longer. Back-plan from your opening date and confirm current processing times with your state ABC authority.
What happens if I open and serve alcohol before my license is approved?
You risk criminal charges, fines, forced closure, and damage to your future license eligibility, since ABC boards review applicant history for prior violations. There's no legitimate 'soft launch' workaround; wait for written approval before serving.
Sources
- Federal Communications Commission, Chairman Brendan Carr biography: Brendan Carr is Chairman of the FCC, sworn in as chairman in January 2025
- Federal Communications Commission, Communications Act broadcast license authority: The FCC's authority covers broadcast station license renewals for TV and radio stations
- Communications Act of 1934, codified provisions on broadcast licensing: FCC broadcast licensing authority derives from the Communications Act, applying to local affiliate stations
- Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, license types and fees: Florida's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco administers license issuance and publishes fee schedules
- Florida Statutes Chapter 561, alcoholic beverage license quota provisions: Florida caps certain quota liquor licenses at roughly one per 7,500 county residents
- American Bar Association, bar admission requirements overview: Bar exam eligibility generally requires graduation from an ABA-accredited law school and character/fitness review