Call for Licence to Deliver Liquor Training Programs

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is launching an open call for programs. Interested entities can apply for approval of their licence to deliver liquor training program to support the government's objectives of providing increased consumer choice and convenience for Ontarians.

The AGCO is accepting applications until the AGCO Board decides the open call will close. Applications submitted before January 20, 2025, will be prioritized for consideration. Applications submitted on or after January 20, 2025, may not be considered.

Application Process

To apply, please follow these 5 steps: 

Step 1: Review the Application Guide. Before submitting your application, please review the application materials available on the portal. The Application Guide will provide all the information required to apply, including key dates, application requirements, evaluation criteria, as well as the selection and approval process.

Step 2: Develop your training program. Prospective applicants will be asked to complete the Application Package, as well as submit a fully developed licence to deliver training program that is ready for launch.

Step 3: Submit your application. 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 until the AGCO Board determines the open call to be closed. Additional evaluation and approval of applications submitted on or after January 20, 2025, will be at the discretion of the Board. When you're ready to submit your application, you can do so through this online portal. Please ensure that all the required information has been included before submitting.

Step 4: Wait for a response. The AGCO will carefully assess all information provided. For applications submitted by 11:59 PM ET on January 19, 2025, successful and unsuccessful applicants can expect to be notified of the Board’s decision by early March 2025.

Step 5: Announcement of Approved Programs. The AGCO will communicate the selection of Board-approved training programs in mid-March 2025.

Should you experience any issues with the application portal, please email connect@agco.ca.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is launching an open call for programs. Interested entities can apply for approval of their licence to deliver liquor training program to support the government's objectives of providing increased consumer choice and convenience for Ontarians.

The AGCO is accepting applications until the AGCO Board decides the open call will close. Applications submitted before January 20, 2025, will be prioritized for consideration. Applications submitted on or after January 20, 2025, may not be considered.

Application Process

To apply, please follow these 5 steps: 

Step 1: Review the Application Guide. Before submitting your application, please review the application materials available on the portal. The Application Guide will provide all the information required to apply, including key dates, application requirements, evaluation criteria, as well as the selection and approval process.

Step 2: Develop your training program. Prospective applicants will be asked to complete the Application Package, as well as submit a fully developed licence to deliver training program that is ready for launch.

Step 3: Submit your application. 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 until the AGCO Board determines the open call to be closed. Additional evaluation and approval of applications submitted on or after January 20, 2025, will be at the discretion of the Board. When you're ready to submit your application, you can do so through this online portal. Please ensure that all the required information has been included before submitting.

Step 4: Wait for a response. The AGCO will carefully assess all information provided. For applications submitted by 11:59 PM ET on January 19, 2025, successful and unsuccessful applicants can expect to be notified of the Board’s decision by early March 2025.

Step 5: Announcement of Approved Programs. The AGCO will communicate the selection of Board-approved training programs in mid-March 2025.

Should you experience any issues with the application portal, please email connect@agco.ca.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Application Requirements

    Q. What are the application requirements and other relevant criteria for applicants?

    A. This opportunity is open to all organizations interested in offering mandatory licence to deliver liquor training in Ontario. Approval of a program is subject to the Program Requirements and Program Guidelines that outline the expectations and requirements for operating an AGCO Board-approved licence to deliver liquor training program (see Forms A and A1 in the Application Package).

    Q. Should my program include content on serving liquor in a licensed establishment or selling liquor in a retail store?

    A. The AGCO is currently only accepting applications for training programs about the responsible delivery of liquor by Licence to Deliver holders. Applications may be submitted for either new training programs focused on the responsible delivery of liquor or for updates to existing AGCO Board-approved training programs to incorporate responsible liquor delivery content. Please refer to the Program Requirements (in Form A.1 of the Application Package) for details on required training program content.

    Q. Is the AGCO providing funding to providers to prepare their programs?

    A. No funding will be made available to applicants through this process, and approved programs do not receive any funding from the AGCO. Training providers may charge learners a fee to complete their AGCO Board-approved program and will retain all revenue generated from the delivery of their program.

    Applicants are fully responsible for assessing the business viability of this opportunity; the AGCO cannot guarantee or validate revenue generation estimations as a result of Board approval.

    Q. Is previous experience in delivering a training program required?

    A. While not required, experience developing responsible liquor sales and delivery training is considered an asset.


    Application Process

    Q. Are there any additional formatting guidelines? For example, length?

    A. All mandatory requirements are laid out in the Application Guide. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants must complete and submit the Application Package, which consists of two parts: Application Questions (Part 1) and Declaration and Consent Forms (Part 2).


    Application Evaluation

    Q. How will proposals be evaluated?

    A. AGCO staff will prioritize the evaluation of all applications submitted before January 20, 2025, and make a recommendation to the Board.

    The AGCO Board maintains full approval authority of liquor delivery training programs and the Program Guidelines accompanying that approval.


    Next steps for approved applicants

    Q. Does my program need to be re-approved after a certain period of time, and if so, what is that process?

    A. Licence to deliver liquor training programs approved by the AGCO Board will have an approval term of three years and the Provider must meet the Program Guidelines throughout the approval term. The Board approval renewal process will be communicated in advance of the approval term end date.

    The Provider is required to notify the Commission of any significant changes to the program, and content changes of 25% or more will require re-submission of the entire program for Board approval.


    Other

    Q. Will the Smart Serve training program remain a training option for current Licence to Deliver holders?

    A. Yes. Smart Serve is currently the only AGCO Board-approved liquor delivery training program in Ontario and will remain an approved program for the broader liquor sector, including for liquor sales licensees and Licence to Deliver holders. Through this open call process, additional licence to deliver liquor training programs may be approved by the AGCO Board.

    Licence to Deliver holders who currently hold a valid Smart Serve training certificate will be able to deliver liquor until their certificate expires. Once it expires, individuals will need to recertify with Smart Serve or obtain a new certificate from another Board approved liquor delivery training program to continue to deliver liquor.

    Q. I already provide AGCO Board-approved training for the responsible sale of liquor. Can I update my current program to include training for Licence to Deliver holders?

    A. Yes. If you are already an AGCO Board-approved training provider and wish to offer training dedicated to the responsible delivery of liquor by Licence to Deliver holders, you can decide to update your current program or develop a new training program. Note that you must submit an application to the AGCO through this open call for Board approval regardless of whether you develop a new training program or update your current program.

Page last updated: 17 Jan 2025, 09:23 AM