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Smart Serve Practice Test (Ontario) 2026

Anyone who sells, serves or delivers alcohol in Ontario must hold certification from AGCO-approved training, and Smart Serve is the program for bars and restaurants. The final test is taken online and you need 80% to pass. Practice test 1 covers Ontario's own rules, and the other sets cover responsible service topics used across Canada.

  • Alcohol server
  • Ontario
  • 83 questions
  • Checked October 10, 2026

Quick answer

Pass mark: 80%. It is run by Smart Serve Ontario (training approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, AGCO). Fee: $44.95 for the Full Course (listed by Smart Serve). Practise here for free with 83 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 10, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the Smart Serve Study Guide (Ontario): plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 23

    What is the legal drinking age in Ontario?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 19

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

  2. Question 2 of 23

    What is the minimum age to sell or serve alcohol in an Ontario licensed establishment?
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    Answer: D. 18

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

  3. Question 3 of 23

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

  4. Question 4 of 23

    Until what time may Ontario licensed establishments sell and serve alcohol on New Year's Eve?
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    Answer: D. 3 a.m.

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

  5. Question 5 of 23

    During which hours may retail stores in Ontario sell alcohol?
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    Answer: 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.

  6. Question 6 of 23

    During which hours may alcohol be delivered from eligible Ontario licensed establishments or stores?
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    Answer: D. 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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

  7. Question 7 of 23

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

  8. Question 8 of 23

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

    Answer: 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.

  9. Question 9 of 23

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

    Answer: 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.

  10. Question 10 of 23

    What is the minimum score needed to pass the Smart Serve final test?
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    Answer: A. 80%

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

  11. Question 11 of 23

    How long is Ontario alcohol training certification valid?
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    Answer: A. 5 years

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

  12. Question 12 of 23

    How is the Smart Serve final test taken?
    Show answer

    Answer: 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.

  13. Question 13 of 23

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

    Answer: 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.

  14. Question 14 of 23

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

  15. Question 15 of 23

    Which agency regulates liquor sales and service in Ontario?
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    Answer: 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.

  16. Question 16 of 23

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

  17. Question 17 of 23

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

    Answer: 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.

  18. Question 18 of 23

    Smart Serve advises checking ID for anyone who appears to be under what age?
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    Answer: C. 25

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

  19. Question 19 of 23

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

  20. Question 20 of 23

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

    Answer: 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.

  21. Question 21 of 23

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

  22. Question 22 of 23

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

    Answer: 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.

  23. Question 23 of 23

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

    Answer: B. A Special Occasion Permit

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

What to know before the test

  • Anyone who sells, serves or delivers liquor, or takes liquor orders, must hold valid certification from AGCO-approved training.
  • The Smart Serve Full Course takes about 3 to 4 hours online, at your own pace.
  • The final test is proctored online with webcam ID checks and screen monitoring. You need at least 80% to pass.
  • Liquor training certifications must be renewed every five years by retaking the training.
  • You must be 18 to serve alcohol in Ontario and 19 to drink it.
  • Licensed establishments may sell and serve alcohol from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., and until 3 a.m. on New Year's Eve.
  • Retail store staff take a separate retail course. A retail-only certificate does not cover bars or restaurants.

Frequently asked questions

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.

Sources

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