Serving it Right Certification Information

Learn the legal implications to serving alcohol in British Columbia with the Serving It Right program. This mandatory training is crucial for everyone in the province serving alcohol, ensuring legal compliance and safe service.

Why is Serving it Right Important for Bartenders?

The goal of the Serving It Right program is to educate servers and bartenders in BC of their legal responsibilities when serving alcohol.

Imagine a scenario where you a serve a customer four cocktails in two hours, a reasonable scenario for any very thirsty patron. That same customer leaves your bar, or restaurant, then drives away and gets into an accident. You served that customer. Are you legally responsible in any way?

All servers and bartenders need to know that answer.

Get Your Serving it Right Before Applying to Jobs

In British Columbia, the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch keeps a close eye on businesses. Establishments that employ non-certified workers can be issued a fine.

What may follow is liquor licence suspension, and/or termination of their liquor licence. Bars and restaurants will not take a chance on hiring someone without BC's Serving it Right responsible service certificate.

As a result, every restaurant and bar serving liquor in BC will expect you to have Serving it Right before applying for work as a bartender or server.

What is the cost of the Serving it Right certification?

The Serving it Right certification is only $35. Payment for the course is by credit card and all your certification details are managed by Responsible Service BC.

This price includes three attempts at the multiple choice exam. You must get an 80% or higher to pass the exam. If you don't pass, you need to pay the $35 fee again for another three attempts. You can take the exam as many times as you need to pass.

The material is all online, you can study it anytime.

NOTE: Your certificate expires after 5 years!

Where can I learn to bartend in BC?

There are two paths:

1. Work your way up from bar back to bartender,
2. Or jumpstart your career with professional training at bartending school

Here in Vancouver, Fine Art Bartending School has been BC's top bartending school for decades. With our updated 2025 curriculum and over 900 five-star reviews, we'll give you the skills and confidence to rock any bar.

What's the difference between Fine Art Bartending School and Serving it Right?

Our focus is training on you how to BE a bartender, where the Serving it Right Certification trains you on the law and responsible service.

We do not offer Serving It Right as a stand alone program. Instead, our bartending courses teach you practical skills of bartending, behind an actual bar. But don't worry, we outline what you need to do to earn the certificate if you haven't completed it already.

Check out all our upcoming courses to see when you can get trained as a bartender. All bartenders need to know responsible serving. Get your Serving It Right online through Responsible Service BC.