Responsible beverage server training

A bar or restaurant buyer meets this when checking whether the staff are certified and whether the licence holder is meeting its conditions. See whether a liquor licence transfers, and the liquor licence transfer entry.

How it differs by province

• Ontario: the AGCO says any person involved in selling, serving, sampling or delivering liquor, or taking orders for its sale, must hold valid certification from a course approved by its Board, and lists Smart Serve as approved for all liquor licensees and their employees.
• British Columbia: under the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, a licensee of a prescribed class must not operate an establishment without first completing a prescribed training program or recertification as the regulations require; the province lists Serving It Right as its mandatory training for responsible liquor service.
• Manitoba: under The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act, a liquor service licence holder must ensure the manager of the licensed premises and anyone who serves liquor or provides security there has completed a training course specified by the executive director.

What to ask the seller

Ask for the staff certificates and the regulator’s current course list. Other provinces and territories have their own rules.