Is Smart Serve mandatory in Ontario?

Yes. Everyone who sells, serves or delivers liquor, or takes liquor orders, must hold certification from AGCO-approved training. Smart Serve is the program for bars, restaurants and other licensees.

What is the pass mark for the Smart Serve test?

You need at least 80%. The test is multiple choice and is taken online with webcam ID checks.

How many questions are on the Smart Serve test?

The public course page does not list the number of questions for the Full Course test. The separate Retail Course test has 20 questions. These practice sets have 25 questions each.

How long is Smart Serve certification valid?

Five years. After that you must take the training and test again.

How old do you have to be to serve alcohol in Ontario?

You must be 18 to serve alcohol. The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19.

What languages is Smart Serve offered in?

Smart Serve lists English, French, Korean, Chinese and Punjabi for its online courses.

Smart Serve Practice Test (Ontario) 2026

Frage 1 von 23

What is the legal drinking age in Ontario?

21
19
20
18

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Antwort: B. 19

In Ontario you must be at least 19 to buy, possess or drink alcohol, including in a licensed establishment.

Frage 2 von 23

What is the minimum age to sell or serve alcohol in an Ontario licensed establishment?

16
21
19
18

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Antwort: D. 18

Staff who sell or serve alcohol must be at least 18, even though the drinking age is 19.

Frage 3 von 23

During which hours may an Ontario licensed establishment sell and serve alcohol on a normal day?

10 a.m. to midnight
6 a.m. to 4 a.m.
11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
9 a.m. to 2 a.m.

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Antwort: D. 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Licensed establishments in Ontario may sell and serve alcohol from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., unless their licence sets shorter hours.

Frage 4 von 23

Until what time may Ontario licensed establishments sell and serve alcohol on New Year's Eve?

4 a.m.
1 a.m.
2 a.m.
3 a.m.

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Antwort: D. 3 a.m.

On December 31 the usual 2 a.m. end of service is extended to 3 a.m.

Frage 5 von 23

During which hours may retail stores in Ontario sell alcohol?

9 a.m. to 2 a.m.
24 hours a day
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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Antwort: D. 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Stores that sell alcohol may only sell it between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., even if the store is open longer.

Frage 6 von 23

During which hours may alcohol be delivered from eligible Ontario licensed establishments or stores?

11 a.m. to midnight
7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Any time of day
9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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Antwort: D. 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Liquor delivery is allowed between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Frage 7 von 23

What are the hours of sale and service at an event held under an Ontario Special Occasion Permit?

Any hours the host chooses
7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The same as licensed establishments: 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Noon to midnight only

Antwort anzeigen

Antwort: C. The same as licensed establishments: 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Special Occasion Permit events follow the same hours as licensed establishments, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. (3 a.m. on New Year's Eve), unless the permit sets shorter hours.

Frage 8 von 23

Under Ontario rules, who must hold valid certification from AGCO-approved alcohol training?

Only staff who work after midnight
Anyone who sells, serves or delivers liquor, or takes liquor orders
Only owners of licensed establishments
Only bartenders over age 25

Antwort anzeigen

Antwort: B. Anyone who sells, serves or delivers liquor, or takes liquor orders

The AGCO requires everyone involved in the sale, service or delivery of liquor, including staff who take liquor orders, to hold valid approved certification.

Frage 9 von 23

Which of these workers at an Ontario licensed establishment must also hold approved alcohol training certification?

Security staff employed by the licensee
A plumber fixing a sink
A dishwasher who never handles alcohol
A customer who is hosting a birthday

Antwort anzeigen

Antwort: A. Security staff employed by the licensee

The AGCO lists the licensee's security staff among the people who must be certified, along with servers, bartenders and delivery staff.

Frage 10 von 23

What is the minimum score needed to pass the Smart Serve final test?

80%
60%
90%
70%

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Antwort: A. 80%

Smart Serve requires a minimum of 80% to pass the final test.

Frage 11 von 23

How long is Ontario alcohol training certification valid?

5 years
3 years
1 year
For life

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Antwort: A. 5 years

The AGCO says liquor training certifications must be renewed every five years by retaking the training.

Frage 12 von 23

How is the Smart Serve final test taken?

There is no final test
As a spoken interview with a police officer
On paper at a ServiceOntario centre
Online, with webcam ID checks and screen monitoring

Antwort anzeigen

Antwort: D. Online, with webcam ID checks and screen monitoring

All Smart Serve final tests are taken online. The test is proctored, with webcam ID verification and screen monitoring.

Frage 13 von 23

What do you need for the Smart Serve proctored final test?

A paper copy of the course notes
A letter from your employer only
Valid government-issued photo ID and a webcam
Nothing, just an email address

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Antwort: C. Valid government-issued photo ID and a webcam

The final test is proctored online and requires valid government-issued photo ID and a webcam.

Frage 14 von 23

A worker has only a liquor retail training certificate. Can they serve drinks in an Ontario restaurant?

No. Retail-only certificates do not cover bars and restaurants
Yes, if a manager is present
Yes, any training certificate works anywhere
Yes, but only on weekends

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Antwort: A. No. Retail-only certificates do not cover bars and restaurants

The AGCO says a person with only a retail certificate cannot sell, serve, deliver or take orders for liquor outside a retail store.

Frage 15 von 23

Which agency regulates liquor sales and service in Ontario?

Health Canada
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation
The Canada Revenue Agency

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Antwort: B. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)

The AGCO licenses and regulates liquor sales and service under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019.

Frage 16 von 23

Which law sets the rules for selling and serving liquor in Ontario?

The Food and Drugs Act
The Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019
The Cannabis Act
The Highway Traffic Act

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Antwort: B. The Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019

Ontario's liquor rules come from the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019, its regulations and the AGCO Registrar's standards.

Frage 17 von 23

Which of these is on the Smart Serve list of acceptable ID in Ontario?

A college student card
A gym membership card
A library card
An Ontario Photo Card

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Antwort: D. An Ontario Photo Card

Acceptable ID includes an Ontario driver's licence, Canadian passport, citizenship card, Canadian Armed Forces card, Permanent Resident Card and Ontario Photo Card. Never accept student cards.

Frage 18 von 23

Smart Serve advises checking ID for anyone who appears to be under what age?

21
19
25
30

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Antwort: C. 25

Checking anyone who looks under 25 gives a safety margin above the legal drinking age of 19.

Frage 19 von 23

An ID looks real but you still have doubts. What does the AGCO suggest?

Ask for a second piece of ID and have the guest confirm details such as their birthdate or postal code
Accept it if the guest is with older friends
Keep the ID and call their parents
Serve them and hope for the best

Antwort anzeigen

Antwort: A. Ask for a second piece of ID and have the guest confirm details such as their birthdate or postal code

If in doubt, ask for more ID and ask the guest to confirm details on the card. If you are still not sure, refuse the sale.

Frage 20 von 23

What warning does the Sandy's Law sign give to guests?

The prices of drinks
Where the fire exits are
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
The hours of service

Antwort anzeigen

Antwort: C. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

Ontario licensees must post the Sandy's Law sign, which warns about the risk of FASD from drinking during pregnancy. Not posting it is an offence.

Frage 21 von 23

What can the AGCO do when a licensee breaks Ontario liquor laws?

Only send a reminder email
Nothing; only police can act
Close every bar in the city
Impose a monetary penalty, or suspend or revoke the licence

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Antwort: D. Impose a monetary penalty, or suspend or revoke the licence

The AGCO can impose monetary penalties and can suspend or revoke a liquor licence. Police can also lay charges.

Frage 22 von 23

Who is personally responsible for lawful sale and service at an Ontario Special Occasion Permit event?

The owner of the hall
The guests
The AGCO
The permit holder

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Antwort: D. The permit holder

The person who holds the Special Occasion Permit is personally responsible for selling and serving alcohol responsibly and lawfully at the event.

Frage 23 von 23

Which permit is used in Ontario to sell or serve alcohol at an event such as a wedding reception?

A liquor delivery licence
A Special Occasion Permit
A food handler certificate
A manufacturer's licence

Antwort anzeigen

Antwort: B. A Special Occasion Permit

Events such as weddings and fundraisers that serve alcohol use a Special Occasion Permit (SOP).

Smart Serve Practice Test (Ontario) 2026

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