Last updated 2026-07-26
TL;DR
Yes. ABC (American Broadcasting Company) holds FCC broadcast licenses for the TV stations it owns, renewed on an 8-year cycle under 47 U.S.C. § 307. If you landed here searching for a liquor license instead, that's a completely different process run by your state's alcohol beverage control agency, with costs ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $1 million depending on the state and license type.
Does ABC have a broadcast license?
Yes. ABC, meaning the American Broadcasting Company, holds broadcast licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission for every television station it owns and operates directly, like WABC-TV in New York or KABC-TV in Los Angeles. These licenses are governed by the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, specifically 47 U.S.C. § 307, which authorizes the FCC to grant station licenses for a fixed term [1]. TV broadcast licenses currently run on an 8-year renewal cycle. The FCC's own rule on license terms states that "the license period for both television and radio broadcast stations is eight years" [2]. So ABC's owned-and-operated stations (there are eight of them as of the most recent FCC ownership filings, covering markets like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Raleigh-Durham, and Fresno) each carry their own individual FCC license, tied to that specific station's call sign and market, not to the ABC network as a corporate brand. Here's the distinction that trips people up: the ABC network itself (owned by The Walt Disney Company) doesn't hold one giant broadcast license. Licenses attach to individual stations. Most ABC affiliate stations around the country are actually owned by other companies (Sinclair, Gray Television, Hearst, and others) and each of those affiliates holds its own separate FCC license, even though they all air ABC network programming under an affiliation agreement. If you're searching this because you saw "broadcast license" and got curious whether it has anything to do with a liquor license for a bar or restaurant, it doesn't. Same word, completely different regulatory universe. The rest of this article covers the liquor license side, since that's almost certainly what brought most readers here.
How much is a liquor license?
There's no single national number, and anyone who gives you one flat figure is guessing. Liquor license costs depend on your state, your city or county, the specific license type (beer and wine only vs. full liquor, on-premise vs. off-premise), and whether you're buying a new license directly from the state or buying an existing one on a secondary transfer market because your state caps the supply. Realistic ranges look like this: some states issue on-premise beer and wine licenses for a few hundred dollars in state filing fees. Full liquor licenses in states with unrestricted (non-quota) issuance might run a few thousand dollars in state fees plus local fees. But in quota states, where the state legislature caps the number of full liquor licenses per county based on population, the state fee might be modest but the market price to buy an existing license from a private seller can run into the tens of thousands or, in dense urban counties, over a million dollars. Florida is a good example of how wide this range gets, and we cover it in detail in the next section. New York is another: quota-restricted full liquor licenses in New York City have historically traded for well into six figures on the resale market, even though the state's own filing fees are a small fraction of that. New York's Alcoholic Beverage Control Law sets license fees by statute, including the on-premises liquor license fee schedule under N.Y. Alco. Bev. Cont. Law § 64, which varies by municipality population tier [3]. Comparing that statutory filing fee against private resale prices shows how much of the cost is scarcity, not paperwork. Because the range is so wide, the only honest answer is: confirm the exact fee schedule with your state ABC authority before you budget anything. Every state publishes a fee schedule, usually on the ABC or Department of Revenue website, and that's the number to trust over any blog post, including this one.
How much is a liquor license in Florida?
Florida license costs vary by license series, county population, and whether you're buying new from the state or buying an existing quota license on the open market. The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) issues several license types, including the well-known "quota" 4COP license (full liquor, consumption on premises) which is capped by county population under Florida Statutes § 561.20 [4]. That statute sets the formula: counties get one new quota license per a set population increment, which is why dense, fast-growing counties periodically get new licenses released through the state's annual lottery, while others see none for years. Because of that scarcity, existing 4COP quota licenses in high-demand counties like Miami-Dade or Orange (Orlando) can trade privately for well into six figures, sometimes over $500,000, even though the state's own issuance fee is far lower. Non-quota Florida license types, like the SFS (special food service) license for restaurants that meet certain seating and food-sales requirements, or a beer-and-wine-only license, cost dramatically less and don't require winning a lottery, because they aren't capped the same way. Bottom line for Florida: if you want a standard non-quota restaurant beer/wine license, budget for a modest state fee. If you specifically need a full-liquor quota license in a competitive county, budget for either the state's annual lottery process or a private transfer purchase at market rate, and get a current quote from a Florida-licensed broker or attorney before you sign a lease assuming you'll have liquor by opening day. Confirm current fee amounts directly on the Florida ABT license and permit fee page [5], since fee schedules change.
How do I get a liquor license?
Start with your state ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) agency's website, not a general web search. Every state has one, and it publishes the license types available, the application forms, the fee schedule, and processing timelines. The federal government isn't the one licensing your bar or restaurant, your state is, so the state ABC site is your primary source, every time. The general process looks similar across most states, even though the specifics differ: 1. Confirm your business entity and location are eligible (zoning, distance-from-school rules, and local moratoriums all matter). 2. Identify the correct license type for what you're actually doing (full liquor vs. beer/wine, on-premise vs. off-premise, restaurant vs. bar classification). 3. Check if that license type is capped by quota in your county or city. If it is, find out whether new licenses are issued by lottery, application priority, or only available via private transfer. 4. Gather your documents: lease or proof of occupancy, entity formation paperwork, background check materials for owners and officers, and often a local government sign-off or public notice/posting period. 5. Submit the state application and pay filing fees, then wait through the state's review period, which can run anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the state and whether a transfer or background investigation is involved. 6. Handle local requirements in parallel: many cities require a separate local liquor permit, health permit, or public hearing before final state approval. Because the sequencing and lead time varies so much by state, working backward from your target opening date matters more than most first-time operators realize. If you've already signed a lease and set an opening date, that timeline should be driving your license application schedule, not the other way around. That's the exact planning gap our $199 State Liquor License Roadmap is built to close: a state-specific, back-planned timeline from your opening date so you know exactly when each application step needs to happen.
How do I obtain a liquor license if I'm buying or transferring one from someone else?
Transfers work differently from new applications, and in quota states, a transfer is often your only real option. When a license is capped by county or city population and none are currently available, your path to holding a full liquor license is buying one from an existing holder and getting the state to approve the transfer to your business. The transfer process typically requires the same background and financial disclosure as a new application, plus additional steps: a purchase agreement between buyer and seller, proof the seller's license is in good standing (no unpaid fines or active violations), and state approval of the transfer itself, which is a separate filing from the original license issuance. Transfer timelines can run longer than new applications in some states because the agency has to verify two parties instead of one, and because any liens, disputes, or violation history attached to the license itself have to be resolved first. Budget extra weeks, not days, for this step, and never assume a transfer will close by a specific date without written confirmation from the state agency handling it. Pricing on transferred licenses is set by the private market, not the state, in quota states. That's exactly why Florida 4COP licenses and New York City full liquor licenses can cost so much more than the state's own filing fee, the state fee is just the paperwork cost, the market price is what a scarce, transferable asset commands between two private parties.
Can you serve alcohol without a liquor license?
No, not for a commercial business open to the public. Selling or serving alcoholic beverages without the required state license is a violation of state alcohol beverage control law in every U.S. state, and penalties typically include fines, mandatory closure, and in some states criminal charges for the business owner or the individual server. There are narrow, specific exceptions written into some state codes, like certain private events, BYOB arrangements where the establishment doesn't sell the alcohol itself, or specific religious and ceremonial exemptions, but these are narrow carve-outs defined precisely in each state's statute, not a general workaround. If you're planning to let customers bring their own alcohol instead of getting licensed, confirm your state's specific BYOB rules with your state ABC authority first, because some states regulate corkage and BYOB service almost as closely as they regulate a full license. On the federal side, TTB (the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) also requires certain federal permits for businesses that produce, import, or wholesale alcohol, separate from your state retail license. Federal law at 27 U.S.C. § 203 requires a basic permit before engaging in the business of importing, distilling, rectifying, or wholesaling distilled spirits, wine, or malt beverages [6]. That federal permit layers on top of, not instead of, your state retail license requirement if you're a bar or restaurant. Bottom line: if you're pouring drinks for paying customers, you need the state on-premise license before you open the doors, full stop. There's no reliable workaround, and getting caught without one tends to cost far more in fines and delayed re-opening than the license itself would have cost up front.
How do I get a bartending license?
Most states don't actually require a "bartending license" in the way people imagine it, what they require is a responsible beverage service (RBS) certification for the person pouring drinks, and the business's own liquor license is the separate, much bigger piece of paper that makes the bar itself legal. RBS certification programs (sometimes called TIPS, ServSafe Alcohol, or a state-specific program) teach how to check ID, recognize signs of intoxication, and refuse service legally. Some states mandate this training for anyone serving alcohol, others leave it optional or delegate the requirement to individual cities and counties. Certification is usually quick, often completed online in a few hours, and costs far less than any liquor license fee, typically in the range of a few dozen dollars depending on the provider and state. So if you're asking "how do I get a bartending license" because you personally want to pour drinks, check your specific state's RBS/alcohol server training requirement, that's your answer. If you're asking because you're opening the bar itself, that's the business liquor license process covered above, and it's a completely different application with a completely different agency contact in most states.
Can anyone take the bar exam?
This one's unrelated to liquor licensing but shows up in the same search results because of the word "bar," so it's worth a straight answer: no, not anyone can take the bar exam. Each state's bar admission authority sets its own eligibility rules, and the standard baseline in most states is graduation from an ABA-accredited law school (or, in a small number of states, an alternative like reading the law under a practicing attorney) plus passing a character and fitness review. If you're researching this because you're actually trying to open a bar (the drinking establishment) rather than become a lawyer, you want our bar guide and our liquor license overview instead, those cover the alcohol licensing process this article focuses on. If you actually are researching the legal exam, the American Bar Association and each state's specific bar admission office (for example the Florida Bar's own admissions page, distinct from the florida-bar overview we maintain for licensing-adjacent context) are the authoritative sources, not a liquor licensing site.
How much does a liquor license cost by state, roughly?
| Open-issuance beer/wine license | State filing fee only | Low, often a few hundred to low thousands in state fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open-issuance full liquor license | State filing fee, sometimes tiered by seating/revenue | Moderate, varies widely by state | |
| Quota full liquor license, low-demand county | State fee plus limited resale market | Moderate, may be available near state fee if supply exists | |
| Quota full liquor license, high-demand county (e.g., Miami-Dade, NYC boroughs) | Private resale market price, scarcity-driven | High, can run tens of thousands to well over $100,000-$500,000+ | This is exactly why "how much is a liquor license" doesn't have one honest number. Confirm your state's specific model and current fee schedule directly with your state ABC authority before budgeting, and if your state uses a quota system, get a current market quote for existing licenses in your specific county, since that number moves independently of anything the state charges. |
Ranges vary this much because states use two totally different licensing models: open-issuance (the state will sell you a license if you qualify, supply isn't artificially capped) and quota-based (the state caps the number of licenses per county or population, so scarcity drives up the resale price far above the state's own fee). | License model | What drives the cost | Typical cost driver |
What should I actually plan for if I've already signed a lease?
If you've got a signed lease and a target opening date, the liquor license timeline is now the thing most likely to blow up your schedule, more than construction, more than staffing, more than menu development in most cases. Processing times swing from a few weeks in simple, non-quota states to several months when a quota transfer, background investigation, or local public hearing is involved. Work backward from opening day. Figure out your state's stated processing window (published on your state ABC site), add buffer time for local permitting steps that run in parallel or in sequence, and file the moment you're eligible, not when it's convenient. Missing this step is the single most common reason restaurant openings get pushed by 60 to 90 days. A few planning habits that actually help: confirm in writing (email, not a phone call) what documents your specific state office needs, ask directly whether your county has quota restrictions on your license type, and build a written back-plan from opening date to application date rather than trying to hold the whole timeline in your head. That's the specific gap our $199 State Liquor License Roadmap is built for, a state-specific, back-planned schedule so your license timeline and your lease timeline actually meet on the same day. It's not legal advice and it's not a guarantee of approval or timing, no one can promise that, but it replaces guesswork with a real plan built off your state's actual process.
Frequently asked questions
Does ABC have a broadcast license?
Yes. ABC's owned-and-operated television stations each hold individual FCC broadcast licenses, issued under 47 U.S.C. § 307 and renewed on the FCC's 8-year license term cycle. The ABC network itself doesn't hold one blanket license; licenses attach to each individual station, including the many ABC-affiliated stations owned by other companies nationwide.
How much is a liquor license?
It ranges from a few hundred dollars in state filing fees for basic licenses in open-issuance states, to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for full liquor licenses in quota-capped counties, where scarcity drives up private resale prices. Confirm current fees with your specific state ABC authority since there's no single national number.
How much is a liquor license in Florida?
It depends heavily on license type and county. Non-quota licenses (beer/wine, SFS restaurant licenses) cost a modest state fee. Full-liquor 4COP quota licenses, capped by county population under Florida Statutes § 561.20, can trade privately for well into six figures in high-demand counties like Miami-Dade or Orange.
How do I get a liquor license?
Identify the correct license type for your business, confirm whether it's quota-capped in your county, gather entity, lease, and background-check documents, then apply through your state ABC agency and handle any required local permits in parallel. Timelines run from weeks to months depending on state and license type.
How can I get a liquor license if my county has a quota?
If your license type is capped and no new licenses are available, your only real option is usually buying an existing license from a current holder and getting your state ABC agency to approve the transfer. Transfer pricing is set by the private market, not the state's filing fee.
How do I obtain a liquor license as a first-time restaurant owner?
Start on your state ABC agency's website, not a search engine, to confirm the exact license type and process for your situation. Gather lease, entity, and background documents early, and file as soon as you're eligible, since processing time is often the biggest risk to hitting your opening date.
How do I obtain a liquor licence (UK/international spelling)?
In the U.S., alcohol retail licensing is handled at the state level through each state's ABC authority, not federally, so the process depends entirely on which state you're in. Outside the U.S., check your national or local licensing authority, since alcohol licensing structures differ significantly by country.
How do I get a bartending license?
Most states require a responsible beverage service (RBS) certification, like ServSafe Alcohol or TIPS, for individuals serving alcohol, not a formal bartending license. This is separate from the business's liquor license. Check your specific state's requirement, since some mandate it and others leave it to local jurisdictions.
Can anyone take the bar exam?
No. Each state's bar admission authority sets eligibility rules, and most require graduation from an ABA-accredited law school plus a character and fitness review before you can sit for the exam. A small number of states allow alternative paths like reading the law under a practicing attorney.
Can you serve alcohol without a liquor license?
No, not for a commercial business serving the public. Every state requires a license to sell or serve alcohol, and operating without one typically triggers fines, forced closure, and sometimes criminal charges. Narrow exceptions exist for specific private or ceremonial situations, defined precisely in each state's statute.
Does a restaurant need a different license than a bar?
Often yes. Many states distinguish between on-premise licenses for establishments where food is the primary business versus bars where alcohol sales dominate, sometimes with different fees, seating requirements, or food-sales percentage rules attached. Confirm the exact category definitions with your state ABC authority before applying.
How long does it take to get a liquor license?
It ranges from a few weeks in simple, non-quota states with straightforward applications, to several months when a transfer, background investigation, or local public hearing is required. Always confirm your state's current published processing window and build in buffer time before your opening date.
What's the difference between a new liquor license application and a transfer?
A new application is issued directly by the state when license supply isn't capped or a quota slot is open. A transfer moves an existing license from one holder to another, usually required in quota states, and needs state approval of both the buyer's eligibility and the seller's license standing.
Sources
- U.S. Code, 47 U.S.C. § 307: The FCC's statutory authority to grant broadcast station licenses for a fixed term
- Federal Communications Commission, 47 CFR § 73.1020: TV and radio broadcast license terms run on an 8-year renewal cycle
- Florida Legislature, Florida Statutes § 561.20: Florida quota liquor licenses are capped by county population formula
- Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, License Fees: Florida ABT publishes current license and permit fee schedules
- U.S. Code, 27 U.S.C. § 203: Federal basic permit requirement for producers, importers, and wholesalers of distilled spirits, wine, and malt beverages, separate from state retail licensing
- New York Consolidated Laws, Alcoholic Beverage Control Law § 64: New York's Alcoholic Beverage Control Law sets statutory license fees for on-premises liquor licenses, distinct from private resale prices for quota-restricted licenses