Do I need special training to sell alcohol or cannabis?

In some provinces, yes. In Ontario, anyone who sells or delivers liquor needs AGCO-approved training such as Smart Serve, and cannabis store staff must finish approved training such as CannSell before their first day. This course does not replace that training.

Can I accept a photo of an ID on a customer's phone?

No. Ontario's AGCO says copies and photos of ID are not acceptable, and B.C.'s liquor regulator says pictures of ID are not acceptable. Ask for the original card.

Is an expired driver's licence good proof of age?

No. Regulators such as the AGCO and AGLC say proof-of-age ID must be valid and not expired.

Should I keep a copy of the customer's ID?

Usually not. Guidance from the privacy commissioners of Canada, Alberta and B.C. says that looking at a licence is often enough, and photocopying or scanning it generally goes too far.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Age Verification for Retail Staff Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

Under the federal Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, a "young person" is anyone under what age?

19
21
18
16

Show answer

Answer: C. 18

The Act defines a young person as a person under 18 years of age. Provinces may set a higher age.

Question 2 of 25

Under the federal Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, which of these counts as "furnishing" a vape to a young person?

Only selling it online and mailing it to a home
Only selling it in a pack of 20 or more pieces
Selling, lending or giving it, even for free
Only selling it for cash at the store counter

Show answer

Answer: C. Selling, lending or giving it, even for free

The Act defines furnish as to sell, lend, assign, give or send, with or without payment.

Question 3 of 25

What is the minimum age to buy tobacco or vaping products in Prince Edward Island?

18
25
19
21

Show answer

Answer: D. 21

P.E.I. requires retailers to verify that all customers are at least 21 before selling tobacco or vaping products.

Question 4 of 25

In P.E.I., a customer who appears to be under what age should be asked for ID before buying tobacco or vaping products?

40
21
30
25

Show answer

Answer: C. 30

P.E.I. says any customer who appears under the age of 30 should be asked for ID to prove they are over 21.

Question 5 of 25

In Ontario, a customer who looks about 22 wants to buy a vape. What does the law require?

Ask for ID and sell only if satisfied they are at least 19
Refuse the sale, since Ontario's minimum age for vapes is 25
Sell it without ID, since they clearly look older than 19
Ask for ID only when a manager is there to watch you

Show answer

Answer: A. Ask for ID and sell only if satisfied they are at least 19

Ontario bans selling tobacco or vapour products to anyone who appears under 25 without asking for ID and being satisfied they are at least 19.

Question 6 of 25

You work at an Ontario convenience store that sells beer and wine. What training does the AGCO require for staff who sell liquor?

None, since only bar and restaurant staff need it
Only a short store tour from the manager
AGCO-approved training such as Smart Serve
A first aid and CPR certificate from any provider

Show answer

Answer: C. AGCO-approved training such as Smart Serve

The AGCO requires liquor licensees and their employees, including grocery and convenience store staff, to complete approved training such as Smart Serve.

Question 7 of 25

A clerk moves from Ontario to Montréal. What is the minimum age to buy cannabis in Quebec?

20
21
19
18

Show answer

Answer: B. 21

Health Canada lists Quebec's minimum age for cannabis as 21, the highest in Canada.

Question 8 of 25

In B.C., a minor is anyone under what age for liquor and cannabis?

17
19
18
21

Show answer

Answer: B. 19

B.C.'s Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch defines a minor as a person under 19, and it is illegal to sell or supply liquor or cannabis to a minor.

Question 9 of 25

What is the minimum age to buy alcohol in Alberta?

21
20
19
18

Show answer

Answer: D. 18

The AGLC Liquor Licensee Handbook defines a minor as a person under the age of 18, so the minimum age for alcohol in Alberta is 18.

Question 10 of 25

A teenager asks to buy consumer fireworks before a holiday. How old must a customer be?

16
There is no minimum age
18
12

Show answer

Answer: C. 18

Natural Resources Canada says customers must be 18 or older to buy and use consumer fireworks. Only toy pistol caps may be sold to younger people.

Question 11 of 25

Which document is on the federal list of proof-of-age ID for tobacco sales?

A bank debit card printed with the person's name
A gym membership card with a photo
A Canadian Armed Forces identification card
A school library card that has a photo on it

Show answer

Answer: C. A Canadian Armed Forces identification card

The Tobacco (Access) Regulations list a driver's licence, passport, photo citizenship certificate, permanent resident document, Canadian Armed Forces ID card, or other government ID with photo, birth date and signature.

Question 12 of 25

A customer shows a driver's licence that expired last month. Is it acceptable proof of age?

No, proof-of-age ID must be valid and not expired
Yes, as long as it expired less than a year ago
Yes, since the birth date on it has not changed
No, because driver's licences are never accepted as ID

Show answer

Answer: A. No, proof-of-age ID must be valid and not expired

The AGCO says ID must be valid, government-issued and not expired. Alberta's AGLC also requires primary ID that is not expired.

Question 13 of 25

A customer left their wallet at home and shows a photo of their licence on their phone. What should you do?

Accept it if they can also tell you their birthday
Zoom in on the picture and accept it if it looks real to you
Refuse, because photos and copies of ID are not acceptable
Accept it as long as the photo is clear and sharp

Show answer

Answer: C. Refuse, because photos and copies of ID are not acceptable

The AGCO says copies and photos of ID are not acceptable, and B.C.'s regulator says pictures of ID are hard to authenticate. Ask for the original card.

Question 14 of 25

In Ontario, may you insist that a customer show their Ontario Health Card to prove their age?

Yes, but only for alcohol sales
Yes, it is the best ID to use
No, but you may accept it if they offer it
No, and you must refuse it even if it is offered

Show answer

Answer: C. No, but you may accept it if they offer it

The AGCO says nobody can be required to show an Ontario Health Card, but staff may accept it if it is offered voluntarily.

Question 15 of 25

While holding a customer's ID card, which detail is a warning sign of tampering?

The card has a hologram
The photo shows the person with longer hair
The address is in another city
The laminate has bubbles or is peeling

Show answer

Answer: D. The laminate has bubbles or is peeling

AGLC lists bubbles or peeling in the laminate, mismatched lettering and paper over numbers as signs of a fake or altered ID.

Question 16 of 25

You are not sure the ID belongs to the person in front of you. What is a good question to ask?

"Is this really your own card?"
"Are you old enough to buy this product?"
"What is the postal code on your ID?"
"Do you come here often?"

Show answer

Answer: C. "What is the postal code on your ID?"

The AGCO and AGLC suggest asking details from the ID, such as the person's birthday, postal code or how to spell their middle name.

Question 17 of 25

You asked questions and checked a second ID, but you still cannot confirm the customer's age. What should you do?

Sell it if another customer says they know the person
Sell the item, since you tried your best
Ask the customer to sign a note saying they are of age
Refuse the sale, since you could not confirm their age

Show answer

Answer: D. Refuse the sale, since you could not confirm their age

If you cannot confirm the customer's age, do not sell. The AGCO says to say no if the ID is not valid or not provided.

Question 18 of 25

A regular customer who looks young buys vapes every week. You have never checked their ID. What should you do?

Ask a co-worker to guess their age and go with that
Check their ID, since looks and familiarity do not prove age
Sell only if they pay with a credit card in their own name
Skip the check, since regular customers are almost always adults

Show answer

Answer: B. Check their ID, since looks and familiarity do not prove age

The AGCO tells staff not to rely on appearance, familiarity or how often someone visits.

Question 19 of 25

Today is October 13, 2026, and the legal age is 19. Which is the latest birth date that is old enough?

December 31, 2007
October 13, 2007
October 13, 2008
October 14, 2007

Show answer

Answer: B. October 13, 2007

Subtract the legal age from today's date. A customer born on or before October 13, 2007 is at least 19; someone born October 14, 2007 is still 18.

Question 20 of 25

A customer has no valid ID and you must refuse the sale. What is the best way to do it?

Politely say the law does not allow it and point to the sign
Tell them loudly that you think they are lying about their age
Sell a smaller amount instead so the rules do not apply
Ignore them and serve the next customer until they leave

Show answer

Answer: A. Politely say the law does not allow it and point to the sign

The AGCO and AGLC advise declining politely, explaining that the law prohibits sales to minors and referring to the signs.

Question 21 of 25

After you refuse a sale, the customer starts shouting and threatening you. What should you do?

Give in and make the sale so things calm down quickly
Shout back so they know you are serious about the law
Stay calm, get a supervisor and call police if needed
Follow them outside to see which car they drive away in

Show answer

Answer: C. Stay calm, get a supervisor and call police if needed

The AGCO advises staying calm and standing your ground, bringing in a supervisor or manager, and notifying police if necessary.

Question 22 of 25

In B.C., an adult with valid ID wants to buy beer, and you saw teenagers hand them money outside. What should you do?

Sell it, but limit the purchase to one case of beer
Sell it, since the buyer showed valid government ID
Refuse service, since you believe they are buying for minors
Ask the teenagers to come inside and show you their own ID too

Show answer

Answer: C. Refuse service, since you believe they are buying for minors

B.C.'s regulator says licensees must refuse service if they believe a customer is buying for a minor.

Question 23 of 25

What do the privacy commissioners of Canada, Alberta and B.C. say about checking a driver's licence?

Staff should keep a photocopy of every licence in case the police ask later
The licence number must be written in a log for every age-restricted sale
Looking at it is often enough; copying or scanning it generally goes too far
Every licence must be scanned and the scan kept by the store for at least one year

Show answer

Answer: C. Looking at it is often enough; copying or scanning it generally goes too far

Their joint guidance says examining a licence is often enough for a business's purpose, and photocopying or scanning it generally goes too far.

Question 24 of 25

Under the Cannabis Act, when can a seller rely on believing the buyer was 18 or older?

Only if the seller took reasonable steps to check the buyer's age
Never, because belief is not a defence under any circumstances
Only if the store was very busy and there was a long line
Whenever the buyer tells the seller out loud that they are 18 or older

Show answer

Answer: A. Only if the seller took reasonable steps to check the buyer's age

The Cannabis Act says believing the person was 18 or older is not a defence unless the accused took reasonable steps to find out their age.

Question 25 of 25

What is B.C.'s Minors as Agents Program?

A rule that lets minors buy alcohol when a parent is present with them
A training course that teaches minors about the risks of alcohol
Supervised minors try to buy liquor or cannabis to see if staff check ID
A program that hires teenagers to stock shelves in liquor and cannabis stores

Show answer

Answer: C. Supervised minors try to buy liquor or cannabis to see if staff check ID

In B.C., minors working for the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch, supervised by inspectors, try to buy liquor or cannabis to check whether staff ask for ID.

Age Verification for Retail Staff Course 2026

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