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NZ LCQ Practice Test (Licence Controller) 2026

The Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ) is the qualification you need to apply for a manager's certificate to run the sale of alcohol in New Zealand. It is made up of NZQA unit standards 4646 and 16705 on the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and host responsibility. These practice questions cover managers, trading hours, intoxication, minors, ID, promotions and penalties.

  • Alcohol server
  • New Zealand
  • 60 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

Pass mark: ServiceIQ does not publish a question count or pass mark. Assessors mark your answers as competent or not yet competent, and the ServiceIQ online programme allows up to three attempts. It is run by ServiceIQ issues LCQ certificates; training providers run the course and assessment. District licensing committees issue manager's certificates. Minimum age: 20 (for a manager's certificate). Practise here for free with 60 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the NZ LCQ Study Guide (Sale and Supply of Alcohol): plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    Which law controls the sale and supply of alcohol in New Zealand?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012

    The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 replaced the Sale of Liquor Act 1989.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    What is the object of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Safe and responsible sale, supply and drinking of alcohol, and less harm from excessive drinking

    The Act aims for safe and responsible sale, supply and consumption, and to minimise alcohol-related harm.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    What is the Licence Controller Qualification (LCQ)?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The prescribed qualification for people managing the sale of alcohol

    The LCQ shows knowledge of the Act and host responsibility. You need it to apply for a manager's certificate.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    Which two NZQA unit standards make up the LCQ?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 4646 and 16705

    Completing unit standards 4646 and 16705 gives you the LCQ.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    Who issues LCQ certificates and keeps the national LCQ database that councils check?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. ServiceIQ

    ServiceIQ issues LCQ certificates and keeps the national database.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    In the ServiceIQ online LCQ programme, how many attempts do you get at the assessment questions?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Up to three

    You get a maximum of three attempts. After that you need further learning before trying again.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    Once you start the ServiceIQ online LCQ programme, how long do you have to finish it?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Four months

    The online programme must be finished within four months or it expires.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    You did LCQ training under the old 1989 Act and never sat the bridging test. What is the status of your LCQ?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It has expired, so you must do the LCQ again

    The bridging test closed on 31 January 2017. Old LCQs without it have expired.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    What do you need the LCQ for?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. To apply for or renew a manager's certificate

    The LCQ is required when you apply for or renew a manager's certificate.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    Where do you apply for a manager's certificate?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. To the district licensing committee through your local council

    Manager's certificate applications go to the district licensing committee (DLC) at your local council.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    What is the minimum age for a manager's certificate?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 20

    Councils state that applicants must be 20 or older.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    How much experience in licensed premises do councils usually expect for a manager's certificate?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least six months

    Tauranga City Council asks for at least six months' experience working in licensed premises, with references.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    An on-licensed bar is selling alcohol. Who must be on duty?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A certified manager

    A certified manager must be on duty whenever alcohol is sold or supplied, and is responsible for following the Act.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    A club holds a club licence. Where must its duty manager be while alcohol is sold?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. On duty and easily contactable, though not always on site

    Clubs are the exception: the manager must be on duty and easily contactable but need not be on site.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    The duty manager resigns suddenly. The licensee appoints a temporary manager. When must that person apply for a certificate?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Within two working days of the appointment

    A temporary manager must apply within two working days, or the licensee must stop using them as a manager.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    How long can an acting manager be appointed for at any one time?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Up to three weeks

    An acting manager can cover for up to three weeks at a time, and up to six weeks in total in any 12 months.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    In each 12-month period, what is the total time acting managers may be used?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Up to six weeks

    Acting managers may be used for up to six weeks in total in a 12-month period.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    A licensee appoints a new manager. Who must they notify?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The licensing committee and the Police

    Under section 231 the licensee notifies the licensing committee and the Police in writing.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    What are the national maximum trading hours for on-licences such as bars?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 8 am to 4 am

    Unless a local alcohol policy sets other hours, on-licences may sell from 8 am to 4 am.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    What are the national maximum trading hours for off-licences such as bottle stores and supermarkets?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 7 am to 11 pm

    Off-licences may sell from 7 am to 11 pm at most.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    Your licence sets shorter hours than the national maximum. Which hours apply?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The shorter hours on your licence

    If your licence sets shorter hours, you must keep to them.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    Who can set different maximum trading hours for an area?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The local council, in a local alcohol policy

    Councils can set local trading hours through a local alcohol policy (LAP).

  23. Question 23 of 25

    A bar closes at 1 am. How long after closing may customers stay, if no alcohol is sold?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Up to half an hour

    People may stay up to half an hour after closing, as long as no alcohol is sold.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    Which of these must every on-licence make available to customers?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Food, non-alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks, and transport information

    These host responsibility items are required for on-licences.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    What must new and renewed on-licences provide free of charge?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Drinking water

    On-licences that are new or being renewed must supply free water.

What to know before the test

  • The LCQ is the prescribed qualification for managing licensed premises. You gain it by completing NZQA unit standards 4646 and 16705.
  • ServiceIQ issues LCQ certificates and keeps a national database that councils use to check manager's certificate applicants.
  • In ServiceIQ's online programme you answer the assessment questions online, with up to three attempts, and must finish within four months.
  • National maximum trading hours are 8 am to 4 am for on-licences and clubs, and 7 am to 11 pm for off-licences, unless a local alcohol policy says otherwise.
  • A person is intoxicated under the Act when affected by alcohol or drugs and showing two or more signs: appearance, behaviour, coordination or speech.
  • The approved evidence of age documents are a passport, a NZ driver licence, a HANZ 18+ card and a Kiwi Access card. Expired ID cannot be used.

Frequently asked questions

What is the LCQ in New Zealand?

The Licence Controller Qualification. It shows you know the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and host responsibility, and you need it to apply for or renew a manager's certificate.

How many questions are in the LCQ test and what is the pass mark?

ServiceIQ does not publish a fixed number of questions or a pass mark. Your answers are marked by an assessor, and the ServiceIQ online programme allows up to three attempts. Our practice sets use 80% as a guide.

Does my old LCQ from before 2013 still count?

Only if you completed the bridging test between 18 December 2013 and 31 January 2017. If not, ServiceIQ says your LCQ has expired and you must do it again.

What else do I need for a manager's certificate?

Councils ask that you are 20 or older and have relevant experience, often at least six months in licensed premises, as well as the LCQ. You apply to your district licensing committee through the local council.

Can I do the LCQ online?

Yes. ServiceIQ runs an online LCQ programme, and other training providers around New Zealand also offer the course.

Sources

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