CannServe Standard
The CannServe Standard course will give you in-depth knowledge about the safe distribution of Alcohol in a retail setting. Passing this course is a mandatory requirement for serving alcohol in a grocery, convenience or retail store in Ontario. The CannServe course was developed to provide a retail focused certification program for safer alcohol distribution.
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Additional Course Information
To achieve the CannServe Certification, you will need to complete the training program and get a grade of at least 80% on the final exam. You will have a maximum of two attempts.
CannServe Standard Certification is one of the AGCO Board-approved training programs for legally authorized alcohol retailers in Ontario. Ontario law requires that all employees who are involved with the direct sale of retail alcohol must complete an approved training program such as CannServe before they can sell alcohol in a retail environment.
You will learn:
A basic overview of the Liquor Regulatory Framework
Advertising and promotion guidelines
General compliance obligations and responsible sale guidelines for both employees and retail stores
Identifying Intoxicated Customers
Responsible use and sale
Syllabus
Module 1: Liquor Regulatory Framework
- Introduction to Liquor Regulatory Framework
- Roles and Responsibilities of the AGCO
- Regulations under the LLCA
- Non-Compliance
Module 2: Permissible Activities under Retail License Types
- Descriptions of Permissible Activities under Retail License Types
- Authorized Actions under Retail License Types
- Online Sales
- Ontario Sampling Guidelines
- Delivery
- Storage of Alcohol
- Advertising and Promotion Guidelines
- Display and Shelf Space Requirements
Module 3: Best Practices for the Responsible Sale of Alcohol
- Selling Alcohol Responsibly
- Refusing the Sale of Alcohol
- Age Restriction Compliance
- Second Party Purchasers
- Identifying Intoxicated Customers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There is no minimum age requirement on who can receive a CannServe certificate, however, you must be 18 or older to work in retail alcohol sales and 19 or older to purchase alcohol in a retail setting.
What languages is the course available in?
Learners can choose between English and French at the beginning of the course. Please complete the course in the language that was initially selected. Switching back and forth between languages will reset course progress.
What are the available payment options?
Learners may choose to pay for this course using Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.
How long does the CannServe Standard course take to complete?
CannServe Standard takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete, depending on your pace. You can complete the course at your own pace, all at once or over multiple sessions.
Can I work as a bartender after completing CannServe Standard?
No. Completing CannServe Standard certifies you to work in grocery, convenience and retail alcohol sales. The AGCO requires a different certification called Smart Serve for individuals who want to serve alcohol to patrons as bartenders.
Is a digital certificate included on successful completion of the CannServe Standard course?
Yes. You will receive a digital badge and a certificate on successful completion of the CannServe course.
What score is required to pass the CannServe Standard exam, and what happens if I don't pass on my first attempt?
You must score 80% or higher on the final exam to pass the course. If you do not pass on your first attempt, reach out to our help team and we will grant you one more attempt. If you have failed the exam twice (with a score of less than 80%), you must retake the entire course. Please contact us for a rewrite discount.
What can I do with my CannServe Standard certification?
After completing your certification, you can apply to work in a retail alcohol store. We also recommend that you add this credential onto your resume.
Will my CannServe Standard certification expire?
Yes. The CannServe Standard certification is valid for five years from the date of completion.
What happens when a certificate expires?
You can purchase the recertification course and get certified.
What is the cost of recertification?
If you were previously certified, the recertification costs $14.95.
Is this course approved by the AGCO?
Yes. CannServe Standard is formally approved by the AGCO.
Note: Our course modules work best on the latest version of Google Chrome. If your course is not loading, update your browser and/or check your internet connectivity as a first step.