Welcome to ProServe Liquor Staff Training

ProServe was created to provide responsible liquor service training to licensees and their staff working in liquor service, retail businesses and the provision of security services in licensed premises in Alberta. It is applicable for staff working on-premises (bar, restaurant, private club or mass assembly venue), in a retail establishment or other in activities surrounding liquor service (delivery service, liquor sampling or a licensed public special event).

The program is designed to:

Help licensees and staff fulfill social responsibilities
Help achieve a balance between creating a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for patrons and reducing liability
Help liquor industry workers understand and apply relevant liquor legislation
Promote the responsible sale of liquor in service and retail environments
Provide the knowledge to identify signs of intoxication and the techniques to effectively refuse or discontinue service

What is ProServe?

ProServe is Alberta's responsible liquor service and sales program. It's designed to help ensure that liquor is sold and served according to law and AGLC policies, and in a way that keeps customers, guests and others safe from alcohol-related harms. Other Canadian provinces have similar responsible liquor service programs.

What topics are covered?

Successfully completing ProServe will help you understand:

Your duty of care to your customers or guests
What your legal responsibilities are when serving or selling liquor
How alcohol affects the body
How liquor can affect people's behaviour
How to tell when a customer or guest appears intoxicated
How to work as a team to sell and serve liquor responsibly

Who needs to take this program?

ProServe certification is mandatory for full- and part-time workers:

In positions where liquor is provided under the authority of a Class A, B, D, E, F and Duty-Free licence (excluding Class D - Sacramental Wine Resale licence):
- Licensed premises owners who are responsible for directly managing a licensed premises;
- Licensed premises managers, supervisors, retailers, bartenders, servers, greeters, hosts and delivery service drivers;
- Limousine and bus licensees, drivers and attendants;
- Large-format bike operators and attendants;
- Security staff (directly employed or contracted by the licensee), and owners and managers of a company contracted to provide security.

Need proof of certification? No problem.

Licensee staff must provide proof of ProServe certification at the request of an AGLC Inspector. Proof of ProServe certification includes:

paper printed certificate that has a QR code
a plastic card that does not have a QR code
clear images of either of the above (i.e., photograph or screen shot saved on the staff member's mobile device/phone)

Proof of certification can be accessed from the Personal Information and Completion Status pages of your SMART Programs account. Sign in to print a copy of your certificate or save an image of it to your mobile device.

If you can't access your certificate, send us an email or call 1-877-436-6336, toll-free in Alberta, between 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. The SMART Programs office is closed on weekends, statutory holidays and from December 24 through January 1^st.