Updated November 5, 2026 · Wild Badger Management
Short answer: Every state and D.C. has its own alcohol regulator, often called the state ABC. 17 are control states that run spirits wholesale themselves. The rest license private distributors. TTB covers federal permits and labels for all of them. In each new state, expect to deal with the alcohol agency, the Secretary of State and the revenue department.
1. Federal first: TTB
- TTB issues federal permits and label approvals (COLAs).
- A COLA works nationwide. Most states then register the brand on top of it.
- Imports also need a U.S. importer with a TTB basic permit.
2. Control states vs. license states
After Prohibition, each state chose its own system.
- Control states (17): the state is the spirits wholesaler, and some also run retail stores. Some control wine too. Getting listed goes through the state.
- License states (33 plus D.C.): private distributors and retailers, each licensed by the state. Suppliers sell to a licensed wholesaler.
- Local control: Montgomery County, Maryland runs its own control system.
- Alabama
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
3. What suppliers file, state by state
| Filing | How common |
|---|---|
| Supplier or nonresident license | 41 states for wine |
| Brand or label registration | 32 states for wine |
| Monthly shipment reports | 33 states for wine |
| Franchise law | Beer: almost every state. Wine and spirits: just under half. |
| Price posting | Some states, such as Connecticut |
| Business and tax registration | Secretary of State and revenue department, most states |
Wine counts from Wine Institute. Beer and spirits rules differ by state.
Franchise laws stick. In many states a distributor agreement is hard to end without good cause. Pick your partner before you sign.
4. Every state's alcohol agency
| State | Agency | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board ABC Board | Control |
| Alaska | Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office AMCO | License |
| Arizona | Department of Liquor Licenses and Control DLLC | License |
| Arkansas | Alcoholic Beverage Control Division ABC | License |
| California | Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control ABC | License |
| Colorado | Liquor Enforcement Division, Department of Revenue LED | License |
| Connecticut | Department of Consumer Protection, Liquor Control Division DCP | License |
| Delaware | Office of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner OABCC | License |
| District of Columbia | Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration ABCA | License |
| Florida | Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco ABT | License |
| Georgia | Department of Revenue, Alcohol and Tobacco Division DOR | License |
| Hawaii | County liquor commissions County | License |
| Idaho | Idaho State Liquor Division and Idaho State Police ABC Bureau ISLD | Control |
| Illinois | Illinois Liquor Control Commission ILCC | License |
| Indiana | Alcohol and Tobacco Commission ATC | License |
| Iowa | Alcoholic Beverages Division ABD | Control |
| Kansas | Alcoholic Beverage Control, Department of Revenue ABC | License |
| Kentucky | Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control ABC | License |
| Louisiana | Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control ATC | License |
| Maine | Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations BABLO | Control |
| Maryland | Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (Montgomery County runs its own control system) ATCC | License |
| Massachusetts | Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission ABCC | License |
| Michigan | Michigan Liquor Control Commission MLCC | Control |
| Minnesota | Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division AGED | License |
| Mississippi | Alcoholic Beverage Control, Department of Revenue ABC | Control |
| Missouri | Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control ATC | License |
| Montana | Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, Department of Revenue ABCD | Control |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Liquor Control Commission NLCC | License |
| Nevada | Department of Taxation Taxation | License |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Liquor Commission NHLC | Control |
| New Jersey | Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control ABC | License |
| New Mexico | Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, Regulation and Licensing Department ABC | License |
| New York | State Liquor Authority SLA | License |
| North Carolina | North Carolina ABC Commission ABC | Control |
| North Dakota | Office of State Tax Commissioner Tax | License |
| Ohio | Division of Liquor Control, Department of Commerce DOLC | Control |
| Oklahoma | Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission ABLE | License |
| Oregon | Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission OLCC | Control |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board PLCB | Control |
| Rhode Island | Department of Business Regulation DBR | License |
| South Carolina | Department of Revenue SCDOR | License |
| South Dakota | Department of Revenue DOR | License |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission TABC | License |
| Texas | Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission TABC | License |
| Utah | Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services DABS | Control |
| Vermont | Department of Liquor and Lottery DLL | Control |
| Virginia | Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority ABC | Control |
| Washington | Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board LCB | License |
| West Virginia | Alcohol Beverage Control Administration ABCA | Control |
| Wisconsin | Department of Revenue, Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement DOR | License |
| Wyoming | Liquor Division, Department of Revenue WLD | Control |
Agencies merge and rename. Confirm with the agency before you file.
Want us to run it?
We file with every agency above. Licensing & Compliance keeps you current in each state. Market Entry opens the next one. Book a Zoom call.
FAQ
Does every state have its own alcohol agency?
Yes. After Prohibition, each state set its own rules. All 50 states and D.C. run their own alcohol regulator, and the names vary: ABC, LCB, SLA, ATC, DABS and more. TTB regulates at the federal level.
What is a control state?
A state that runs the wholesale sale of spirits itself, and sometimes retail too. There are 17, from Pennsylvania and Virginia to Utah and Oregon. Montgomery County, Maryland runs its own control system.
What does an out-of-state supplier need in a new state?
Usually a supplier or nonresident license, brand or label registration, monthly shipment reports, business registration with the Secretary of State and a revenue account. Requirements vary by state and by beer, wine or spirits.
Is TABC the same in Texas and Tennessee?
No. Both states call their regulator TABC: the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Different agencies, different rules.
Sources
- TTB: Alcohol Beverage Authorities in the United States
- NABCA: Control State Directory
- Wine Institute: Out-of-State Supplier Requirements
- Brewers Law: Check Three Destination State Agencies
- SevenFifty Daily: How to Do Business in a Franchise State
- Connecticut DCP: Liquor Price Posting
General information, not legal advice. Confirm current rules with TTB, the state agency and counsel.
