AGLC - ProServe Program

ProServe Liquor Staff Training is the new name for ASIP. We have made some improvements to the website and changed the look, but the program is essentially the same. The ultimate goal of ProServe Liquor Staff Training is to promote responsible liquor service in Alberta. Training topics include legal responsibilities and liabilities of licencees and servers, identifying intoxication, responsible service strategies, handling situations involving minors, and discontinuing or refusing service or sale of alcohol.
Staff training helps to reduce the problems caused by underage drinking, over-consumption, impaired driving and liquor-related violence.

Why was it created?

In 2004, the AGLC launched ASIP (Alberta Server Intervention Program), an industry-led training program for all staff who sell and serve liquor. ASIP was developed from a number of separate programs in order to provide standardized training across the province. ProServe Liquor Staff Training is the new name for ASIP.

What are the benefits of this training?

ProServe Liquor Staff Training can give your staff the knowledge and confidence they need to help reduce your risk of liability and to enhance the safety of your premises. Be sure to advise your insurance company that your staff have completed the ProServe training course.

Are there exceptions?

Anyone serving liquor under the authority of a Private Special Event license, Class C licence or Community Public Resale Special Event license does not need ProServe.

Class C Licensees
The Class C license is issued to places such as clubs, legions, canteens, traveler's lounges, schools, hospitals, and seniors' residences. Class C licensees do NOT require ProServe for staff or volunteers.

HOWEVER... any venue that sells or serves liquor, even if it is a private club, is exposed to the same legal liability issues as commercial venues. Individuals who work or volunteer in a Class C licensed premises are strongly encouraged to complete ProServe Liquor Staff Training at NO COST.

Community Public Resale Special Event Licensees
Community Public Resale Special Event licensees are issued to non-profit or volunteer organizations or municipalities hosting a community event, like a local rodeo.

ProServe gives staff the knowledge and confidence necessary to help reduce their risk of liability and to enhance the safety of their premises.

ProServe is available at NO COST for all Class C or Public Resale Special Event licensees.

To register or for more information, please contact SMART Training office at 1-877-436-6336 or visit proserve.aglc.ca.

How do I register? How much does it cost?

Registration is available online at proserve.aglc.ca.

• Online training costs $25 + GST.
• Self-directed study (with a printed manual and DVD) costs
$50 + GST and shipping.
• A facilitated classroom seminar costs $50 + GST.

A Train-the-Trainer workshop is available for a cost of $335, plus GST. This will allow the business owner or delegate to provide in-house sessions for all staff for just the cost of the printed manuals.

To register, or if you have questions, contact the SMART Training office at 1-877-436-6336.

How do I know if I passed?

Your results are provided immediately after you take the exam online. For the self-directed or seminar options, the exams must be mailed in for marking.

If you pass, you will receive your certificate and wallet-sized card in the mail. If you do not pass, you will receive a letter informing you of your next steps. Please allow 2-3 weeks for the grading and mailing process.

What if I already took other training?

ASIP certification remains valid until the expiration date printed on the wallet-sized card.

If you have completed a responsible liquor service training course in a Canadian province outside Alberta, you can apply to have your training recognized by AGLC. To apply, please contact the ProServe office at 1-877-436-6336 or visit proserve.aglc.ca.

What happens if I do not comply?

ProServe is mandatory under AGLC policy. Licensees who employ non-certified workers after January 1, 2010 can be issued a warning, fine, license suspension or licence termination.

AGLC policies are available online, click here to view Liquor Policies.

Who is required to take the training?

Under AGLC policy, Class A, B, D, E, Duty Free, and Commercial Public Special Event licensees are required to have staff certified under ProServe Liquor Staff Training. Training was phased in according to the following timeline:

Effective January 1, 2010, all new hires working in licensed premises, either full or part-time, with the exception of kitchen staff and bus persons, have 30 days from their employment start date to successfully complete ProServe:

ProServe is valid for five years. All liquor industry workers who successfully complete ProServe training are issued a laminated card that must be presented to an AGLC inspector upon request. ProServe certification applies to the individual named on the certificate, not the venue where the person works. A person with valid ProServe certification may use it at any licensed premises in Alberta.

Online students
If you took the online course, simply log on to your ProServe account, select “My Account” from the menu, then “Personal Information” from the drop-down menu. The bottom of the sheet will list your ProServe exam completion date and can be printed off for your employer. A second copy should be kept on your person while you are at work. AGLC inspectors will accept this print-out as proof of your training.

Seminar or self-directed students
If you took your training in a facilitated seminar or though the self-directed program, please call 1-877-436-6336 (between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 4 p.m.) and tell the Hotline operator you’re calling about the temporary ProServe documentation. When you speak with a SMART Training representative, you will be given online access and assigned a temporary password to enable online access to your account.

Other info:
Please confirm that the mailing address on your SMART Training account is complete (includes unit number and postal code) and accurate. You should receive your official ProServe certificate within two to three weeks after the exam has been received by the AGLC. If you have not received your certificate in this time-frame, or if you have any other questions please call 1-877-436-6336.

What if I have questions?

For information about ProServe Liquor Staff Training or to register for training, please visit proserve.aglc.ca.

ProServe Liquor Staff Training

What is ProServe Liquor Staff Training?