The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is launching an open call for training program submissions for Licence to Deliver (liquor delivery service) licensees.
Smart Serve is currently the only approved training program for Licence to Deliver holders in Ontario and will remain an approved training program for the broader liquor sector. To provide Ontarians with more choice and specialized training options, the AGCO Board is seeking to approve additional programs dedicated to the responsible delivery of liquor by licensed liquor delivery services.
Through this open call process, interested entities can apply for approval of their Licence to Deliver liquor training programs in Ontario for a three-year term. Note that the AGCO is only accepting applications for training programs dedicated to the responsible delivery of liquor by Licence to Deliver holders.
Key dates for the call for applications include:
- November 25, 2024: Open call for applications launches
- January 20, 2025: AGCO evaluates applications submitted before January 20th
- Mid-March, 2025: AGCO notifies successful applicants, with program start dates to be determined
Note: Applications submitted before January 20, 2025, will be prioritized in the AGCO’s initial round of evaluation and approval of training programs. The AGCO will continue to accept applications, with additional evaluation and approval of applications at the discretion of the Board.
As the regulator of the liquor sector in Ontario, the AGCO plays a critical role in ensuring that the sale, service and delivery of liquor is carried out with honesty, integrity and in the public interest. As a reminder, every person involved in the sale, sampling, delivery or taking orders for the sale of liquor, as well as some security staff, are required to hold a valid certificate demonstrating successful completion of a liquor training course approved by the AGCO.
Prospective Licence to Deliver liquor training programs seeking AGCO Board approval may be offered in an online, in-person or hybrid format, and must provide learners with the knowledge they will need to deliver liquor safely, responsibly and in compliance with Ontario law and the Registrar’s Interim Standards and Requirements for Liquor.
More information about program requirements, qualifications criteria, and a step-by-step guide on how to submit an application can be found on the AGCO’s engagement portal, Connect AGCO. You may also access the information and application materials in the French version of the engagement portal.