What Serving It Right is
Serving It Right is British Columbia's Responsible Beverage Service Program. Under the Liquor Control and Licensing Regulation, anyone who sells, serves or supervises the service of liquor in B.C. must hold the certificate. The course and exam are run by Responsible Service BC, and the training is required under the rules administered by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB). The website servingitright.com now leads to Responsible Service BC.
Exam format at a glance
| Part of the exam | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Course | Free self-study course of about 4 hours, online or as a PDF manual |
| Exam | 35 multiple-choice questions online, drawn at random from a question pool so each exam differs |
| Pass mark | 80% (28 correct out of 35) |
| Time limit | Not timed. You can log out and come back to finish. |
| Cost | The course is free. The exam is $40 plus tax and includes 3 attempts. After a third failed attempt, a new $40 purchase gives 3 more. The fee is non-refundable. |
| Language | English only |
| Open book | Not published by Responsible Service BC |
The certificate
- Valid for 5 years from the day you complete the exam. To recertify, you complete the program again.
- Special events. Special event permits with 500 or more people attending per day need Serving It Right. Smaller events may use the Special Event Server certificate instead.
- From another province. A responsible beverage service certificate from outside B.C. is accepted until its expiry date.
What our practice test covers
Responsible Service BC does not publish a table of topic weightings. Our sections follow the official course topics (signs of intoxication, legal liability, reducing over-consumption, impaired driving and violence, preventing sales to minors, duty of care on and off the premises, and responsible service policies) with roughly even weighting.
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Legal Responsibilities Under BC Liquor Law | Who needs the certificate, licensee and server duties, and the LCRB |
| Licensed Service Rules: Hours, Pricing and Promotions | Service hours, minimum pricing, drink promotions and licence terms |
| Minors and Checking Identification | Acceptable ID, checking it properly and minors on licensed premises |
| Alcohol and the Body | Standard drinks, absorption, blood alcohol and the factors that affect it |
| Recognizing Signs of Intoxication | Behaviour, speech, coordination and judgment signs |
| Preventing Over-service and Refusing Service | Slowing service, cutting off a guest and refusing service calmly |
| Duty of Care, Liability and Impaired Driving | Legal liability on and off the premises, getting guests home safely and preventing violence |
How to prepare
Work through the free official course first. Then practise one section at a time, paying extra attention to checking ID, the signs of intoxication and your duty of care, and read every explanation. The real exam has no timer, but take our 35-question mock and aim for 32 or more, well above the 28 you need.
Checked against Responsible Service BC and B.C. laws on October 30, 2026. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Aptitude Tests Canada is an independent practice platform. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Responsible Service BC, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch or the Government of British Columbia. Our questions are original practice questions, not real exam questions.
Practice questions with answers
Tap a question to see the correct answer and explanation.
Which provincial body issues liquor licences in BC and enforces the terms and conditions attached to them?
- Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch
- Provincial Health Services Authority of British Columbia
- WorkSafeBC
- BC Liquor Distribution Branch (BC Liquor Stores)
Answer: A, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB), led by the general manager under the Act, licenses establishments and enforces the Act, the Regulation and licence terms.
Last call has passed and liquor service has ended for the night. Unless the general manager has authorized otherwise, how long may patrons keep drinking in the service area?
- Until every patron has finished their drinks
- Up to 30 minutes after service ends
- Up to 15 minutes after service ends
- Up to 60 minutes after service ends
Answer: B, Up to 30 minutes after service ends. Section 91 of the Regulation bars consumption in the service area more than 30 minutes after the end of the hours of liquor service, unless the general manager authorizes a longer period.
Under section 158 of the Regulation, what identification must a server examine to establish a due diligence defence for serving a young person?
- Any single card that shows the person's name, whether or not it has a photo or a date of birth printed on it
- A verbal confirmation of age from an adult who knows the person well
- One government photo ID showing date of birth plus a second piece with name and signature or photo
- Two pieces of identification that both show the person's home address
Answer: C, One government photo ID showing date of birth plus a second piece with name and signature or photo. Section 158 requires one piece from the primary group (passport, or a driver's licence or government ID card showing photo and date of birth) plus another piece showing the person's name and a signature or photo.