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Serving It Right FAQs

I have a serving program certificate from another province: do I still need to take Serving It Right?

If you are a licensee, working as a manager, or working in a retail liquor store, you will still need to obtain Serving It Right. Servers relocating to British Columbia from other Canadian jurisdictions who have valid current certification will be exempted from the SIR training requirement in British Columbia. As the regulations vary from province to province, your employer may still require that you obtain the BC Serving It Right certificate as a best practice.
For a list of recognized programs, please click here.

I'm moving to another province, is my Serving It Right valid in that province?

If you have a Serving It Right certificate and are relocating to another province, please contact the responsible beverage provider for that province regarding information on exemptions or transfer of certifications.

How much does the program cost?

The Serving It Right course is available for free. The exam required for certification is $35+tx and includes 3 attempts. If you do not pass the exam after your third attempt, you will have to purchase the exam at $35 for 3 more attempts.

What are my payment options?

In order to take your exam you must complete the registration process and provide payment. You may pay via credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express), VISA Debit or any major pre-paid credit cards.

What kind of exam do I have to take to get my certificate?

In order to receive your Serving It Right certificate, you must pass a multiple-choice exam, consisting of 35 randomly generated questions. The pass rate is 80%, or 28 questions answered correctly. There are 3 attempts per purchased exam.

How long is my Serving It Right Certification valid for?

The Serving It Right certification is valid for 5 years from the completion date of the final exam.

Is there a time limit on the exam?

No, there is no time limit on the exam.

Is there a minimum age requirement to obtain a Serving It Right certificate?

There is no minimum age requirement on who can obtain a Serving It Right certificate.

Is there a minimum age requirement to serve alcohol in British Columbia?

Minors employed in food primary establishments who are 16 or older may serve liquor but may not open bottles, pour or mix liquor. Minors serving liquor must be under the supervision of adult staff. Minors may not be employed in liquor primary establishments except when special permission is received from the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. When special permission is received to permit minors in your establishment you may employ minors as long as they are not employed to sell or serve liquor at any time. The only exception to the rule is minors employed at stadiums who are 16 years of age or older may serve liquor but may not open bottles, pour or mix liquor. Minors serving liquor must be under the supervision of adult staff.

Is Serving It Right offered in different languages?

At this time Serving It Right is only offered in English.

How long does it take to study the Serving It Right course?

It takes approximately 4 hours to study the course. We recommend that individuals study the course before taking the exam.

If I pay and start a test online, but don’t complete it, can I get a refund?

Once you have read and accepted the terms of service you have agreed to take the test online and there are no refunds.

Will I receive a physical copy of my certificate?

The program no longer distributes physical copies. However, after passing the exam with a minimum of 80% you will be able to print your certificate under "My Certifications" on the left sidebar.

What if I don’t have a printer?

You’ll be able to download a copy of your certificate to keep on your phone, or email to your employer. If you prefer a physical copy we would encourage you to head to your local library and have it printed from there.

Why would I take the updated Serving It Right program if I don’t have to?

In today's legal environment, increasing responsibility is being placed on licensees, managers and servers related to the service of alcohol. The new program puts more emphasis on signs of intoxication, legal liability, duty of care on and off premises, and the necessity to create and enforce responsible beverage service policies. It is to the benefit of anybody involved in serving alcohol to have the most up-to-date knowledge.

Why do Licensees, Managers and Servers all take the same Serving it Right program?

From floor staff to management and owners, the principles of responsible beverage service are the same. Now, more than ever, alcohol providers must take steps to minimize the risks of litigation. A single program that teaches and reinforces the same messages to all employees provides a business with consistent training that is the best defense towards prevention.

I've changed my name, how do I obtain an updated Serving It Right certificate?

We can change your name on your Selling It Right certificate if you provide us with a copy of a legal document showing your previous name and current name. Documents can be your birth certificate, driver's license, marriage certificate, etc. If you have a typo on your name, or need to change capitalization or punctuation, please click here. If you need to make a change to your legal name, please click here.

Does my Serving It Right certificate expire?

Yes, the Serving It Right certificate does expire. If you received your Serving It Right certificate before September 15, 2015, your certification expired on September 15, 2020. If you received your certificate after September 15, 2015 the expiry date will appear on your certificate as five years from the date of issue.

Do I need to re-certify now that recreational cannabis is legal?

Although you are not required by law to recertify, your employer can ask you to recertify at any time. It is good practice to refresh your knowledge, as there have been significant changes to the course with the legalization of recreational use of cannabis.