Smart Serve Practice TestPractice test

For · Managers and owners

Smart Serve for managers and licence holders

Under the AGCO’s standards, the licensee is the one who must make sure staff are certified, and the licensee answers for what happens on the premises. Here’s the checklist.

Who you must have certified

  • Every person involved in the sale, service, sampling or delivery of liquor, or in taking liquor orders. The AGCO says this includes managers.
  • Security staff you employ (or, at a stadium, use).
  • Golf course cart staff and course marshals, if you have a golf course endorsement.
  • A certified employee present at any liquor vending machine (allowed since September 2026 under strict conditions).

Certificates last five years. The AGCO recommends keeping a copy of each staff member’s certificate, because inspectors can ask for proof at any time. Smart Serve sells group tokens through organizational accounts, and you can track redemptions there.

Rules the licensee answers for

RuleSource
Staff who handle liquor are at least 18O. Reg. 746/21, s. 11
You or an appointed manager control the premises, including who enters and staysO. Reg. 746/21, s. 42
No intoxication, unlawful gambling, disorderly conduct or drugs on the premisesO. Reg. 746/21, s. 43
Reasonable steps to deter disorderly conduct nearbyO. Reg. 746/21, s. 44
No practices that encourage immoderate drinking; no drinking contestsO. Reg. 746/21, s. 24; Standard 5.6
Minimum prices and posted drink listsO. Reg. 746/21, s. 26; Standard 5.1
Non-alcoholic drinks at moderate pricesStandard 5.9
Capacity, including staffStandard 6
Pregnancy warning sign, at least 8 × 10 inchesO. Reg. 745/21, s. 24
Police access to the premisesO. Reg. 746/21, s. 43

Penalties and liability

  • Most offences: up to $250,000 for a corporation, or up to $100,000 and a year in jail for an individual (LLCA, s. 68).
  • Selling to a minor: a licensee faces a minimum fine of $1,000 and a licence suspension of at least seven days on conviction (LLCA, s. 69).
  • Civil claims from people injured by a guest who was over-served (LLCA, s. 52).

House policies the AGCO recommends

  • Put policies in writing, give every employee a copy and tell staff management will back them when they refuse service.
  • Market food and price non-alcoholic drinks attractively.
  • Limit drinks sold to one person at a time; discourage drinking games.
  • Have a safe transportation plan and keep taxi and transit contacts handy.
  • Keep an incident log and post emergency numbers.
  • No drinking on the job for anyone, managers included.

House policies don’t replace the law: the AGCO is clear that they never override the Act, regulations or the Registrar’s standards.

Questions people ask

+Do managers need Smart Serve in Ontario?

Yes, if they’re involved in selling, serving or taking orders for liquor, which managers usually are. The AGCO’s guidance says the requirement includes managers.

+Do I need to keep copies of staff Smart Serve certificates?

The AGCO recommends it, because inspectors may ask for proof of a staff member’s certification at any time.

+Can I pay for my staff’s Smart Serve?

Yes. Smart Serve sells tokens through organizational accounts; each covers one course and final test with two attempts. Tokens must be redeemed within 30 days.

Sources

Updated October 26, 2026. Not affiliated with Smart Serve Ontario or the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

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