Texas TABC Surety Bonds
Certain Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission licenses and permits require financial security in the form of a Conduct Surety Bond or Performance Bond.
The bond you need depends on your TABC license or permit, whether you hold a Food and Beverage Certificate, your business location and, for Performance Bonds, certain county and compliance requirements.
Start With Your TABC License or Permit Requirement
Do not choose a bond solely because its name looks similar to your business. Your TABC license or permit type determines which bond form applies.
If TABC or AIMS has already identified a bond type and amount for you, use that information when selecting the application below. If you are uncertain, confirm the requirement with TABC before purchasing the bond.
Conduct Surety Bond or Performance Bond?
TABC uses Conduct Surety Bonds to guarantee compliance with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code and TABC rules for specified licenses and permits.
Whether one is required and the required amount depend on the license or permit, Food and Beverage Certificate status and, in some cases, distance from a public school.
Find Your Conduct BondA Performance Bond has a much narrower application. It applies only to certain BE or BG businesses that meet TABC’s specific county and Food and Beverage Certificate criteria.
The initial amount is $2,000. Higher amounts can apply following violations and should not be selected unless TABC requires the increased amount.
Review Performance Bond RulesHow TABC Determines the Conduct Bond Amount
The following reflects the current TABC Conduct Surety Bond form. Always follow the amount requested by TABC.
| License / Permit | General TABC Bond Requirement |
|---|---|
| Mixed Beverage Permit (MB) | $5,000; $10,000 if within 1,000 feet of a public school, measured property line to property line. |
| Private Club Registration Permit (N) | $5,000; $10,000 if within 1,000 feet of a public school. |
| Private Club Malt Beverage and Wine Permit (NB) | $5,000; $10,000 if within 1,000 feet of a public school. |
| Private Club Exemption Certificate (NE) | $5,000; $10,000 if within 1,000 feet of a public school. |
| Passenger Transportation Permit (TR) | $5,000; $10,000 if within 1,000 feet of a public school under the TABC bond form. |
| Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit (BG) | $5,000; $10,000 if within 1,000 feet of a public school. |
| Retail Dealer’s On-Premise License (BE) | $5,000; $10,000 if within 1,000 feet of a public school. |
| Package Store Permit (P) | Current TABC bond form lists a $10,000 bond when the business is within 1,000 feet of a public school. |
| Wine-Only Package Store Permit (Q) | Current TABC bond form lists a $10,000 bond when the business is within 1,000 feet of a public school. |
| Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Off-Premise Permit (BQ) | Current TABC bond form lists a $10,000 bond when the business is within 1,000 feet of a public school. |
Food and Beverage Certificate Exception
TABC’s Conduct Surety Bond instructions state that the bond does not have to accompany an original application when the applicant qualifies for and is applying for a Food and Beverage Certificate. For renewals, a holder renewing a Food and Beverage Certificate does not have to submit the Conduct Surety Bond. If the Food and Beverage Certificate is not approved, the bond may be required.
Select Your TABC Permit or License
Each button opens our bond platform to the matching product. Review the result and click Start Application within the bond portal.
Mixed Beverage Permit
For businesses holding or applying for a Mixed Beverage Permit, which authorizes sales of distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages for on-premise consumption.
Find the MB Conduct BondPackage Store Permit
For qualifying package stores authorized to sell distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages for off-premise consumption.
Find the Package Store BondPassenger Transportation Permit
TABC describes the TR permit as authorizing airlines, buses, boats and trains to sell and serve distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages for onboard consumption.
Find the TR Conduct BondPrivate Club Exemption Certificate
TABC describes the NE certificate as applying to qualifying fraternal and veterans organizations serving alcoholic beverages to members and their guests.
Find the NE Conduct BondPrivate Club Malt Beverage and Wine Permit
For qualifying private clubs authorized to store and serve malt beverages and wine for members’ on-premise consumption.
Find the NB Conduct BondPrivate Club Registration Permit
For qualifying private clubs authorized to store and serve distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages for members’ on-premise consumption.
Find the N Conduct BondRetail Dealer’s On-Premise License
The BE license authorizes the sale of malt beverages for on-premise consumption and includes certain additional privileges established by TABC.
Find the BE Conduct BondWine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit
Select this option if your TABC requirement identifies a Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit (BG) Conduct Surety Bond.
Find the BG Conduct BondWine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Off-Premise Permit
The BQ permit authorizes qualifying off-premise sales of wine and malt beverages. The bond platform may use older “Wine & Beer” wording for this product.
Find the BQ Conduct BondWine-Only Package Store Permit
TABC describes the Q permit as authorizing sales of malt beverages and wine to consumers for off-premise consumption.
Find the Q Conduct BondWine and Beer Retailer’s Permit – Railway Car
Our bond platform contains a product for the Railway Car (Y) permit classification.
Because this is a specialized/legacy permit category, confirm with TABC that the Y permit and Conduct Bond requirement apply to your current operation before purchasing the bond.
Find the Railway Car BondDo You Actually Need a Performance Bond?
Performance Bonds have much narrower eligibility criteria than Conduct Surety Bonds.
According to TABC, all three of these must apply:
- Your business is located in Bexar, Harris, Dallas or Tarrant County.
- You hold or are applying for either a Retail Dealer’s On-Premise License (BE) or a Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit (BG).
- You do not hold a Food and Beverage Certificate (FB).
Important: $4,000 and $6,000 Are Not Optional Upgrades
TABC states that the initial Performance Bond is $2,000. The amount can increase if the license or permit holder violates the Alcoholic Beverage Code or TABC rules.
Do not select a $4,000 or $6,000 Performance Bond simply because the option appears in the bond portal. Select the increased amount only if TABC has instructed you that the higher bond amount is required.
Retail Dealer’s On-Premise License (BE)
Initial Performance Bond
Use the $2,000 option when TABC requires the standard Performance Bond for your qualifying BE license.
Find BE $2,000 Performance BondIncreased Performance Bond
Use this option only when TABC has specifically required a $4,000 Performance Bond for your BE license.
Find BE $4,000 Performance BondIncreased Performance Bond
Use this option only when TABC has specifically required a $6,000 Performance Bond for your BE license.
Find BE $6,000 Performance BondWine and Malt Beverage Retailer’s Permit (BG)
Initial Performance Bond
Use the $2,000 option when TABC requires the standard Performance Bond for your qualifying BG permit.
Find BG $2,000 Performance BondIncreased Performance Bond
Use this option only when TABC has specifically required the $4,000 Performance Bond amount.
Find BG $4,000 Performance BondIncreased Performance Bond
Use this option only when TABC has specifically required the $6,000 Performance Bond amount.
Find BG $6,000 Performance BondA Simple Way to Determine What You Need
Identify Your Permit Code
Find the TABC license or permit designation shown in AIMS or on your TABC documentation, such as MB, P, BG, BE, N, NB, NE, BQ or Q.
Check FB Status
Determine whether you hold or are applying for a Food and Beverage Certificate, because this can affect the bond requirement.
Confirm the Amount
Use the amount required by TABC. For certain Conduct Bonds, distance from a public school affects the amount.
Select the Matching Bond
Open the matching bond search above, confirm the displayed product and then select Start Application inside the bond portal.
Official TABC Resources
TABC determines whether a license or permit requires a bond and the amount of financial security that must be provided. When there is any uncertainty, rely on your AIMS application and current TABC instructions.
TABC Surety Bond FAQs
Does every TABC license require a surety bond?
What is a TABC Conduct Surety Bond?
Is a Conduct Bond always $5,000?
How is the 1,000-foot distance from a public school measured?
Does having a Food and Beverage Certificate affect my Conduct Bond?
Who needs a TABC Performance Bond?
What is the normal TABC Performance Bond amount?
Should I choose the $4,000 or $6,000 Performance Bond?
Can I use a letter of credit instead of a surety bond?
What happens when I click a bond application button here?
What if I am unsure which TABC bond I need?
Match the Bond to Your TABC Requirement
Have your TABC license or permit code and required bond amount available. If you’re unsure which bond applies, contact us before submitting an application.
TABC determines licensing, permit and bond requirements. Bond approval and premium are subject to surety underwriting. Always follow the current requirement shown by TABC or AIMS.