# Serving It Right for security and door staff

> What BC door and security staff need: a Security Services Act licence, plus the liquor rules they enforce: two-ID checks, intoxication and the 24-hour rule.

Canonical: https://servingitrighttest.ca/for/security-staff
Last updated: 2026-10-26

Door staff are the first line of a bar’s responsible service plan. Here’s what BC’s official rules say about the job, and what they don’t.

## Licence first

The LCRB’s liquor primary terms say anyone providing door security must be licensed under BC’s **Security Services Act**. That licence is separate from Serving It Right.

## Do door staff need Serving It Right?

Serving It Right is required for licensees, managers and staff who sell or serve liquor. The program’s “who needs it” list doesn’t name door or security staff separately, so if you never sell or serve, check with your employer: many ask for it, and the course covers exactly what door staff do.

## The rules you enforce at the door

- **Minors:** unless the licence allows minors, keep under-19s out. Any doubt? Two pieces of ID, checked in a well-lit, quiet spot. See [checking ID in BC](https://servingitrighttest.ca/checking-id-bc).
- **Intoxicated people** must not be allowed in.
- **The 24-hour rule:** anyone asked to leave or barred can’t come back for at least 24 hours; returning is an offence and they may be arrested.
- **Capacity:** control every entry point and count people in and out; never exceed the licence or occupant load.
- **Weapons:** don’t let a person with a weapon in or let them stay; call the police if you know or suspect one.
- **Disorderly conduct:** if it has happened, is happening or may happen, notify the police immediately.
- **Log it:** refusals at the door and removals go in the incident log.

## Fights and removals

Ask clearly, give the person a few minutes and call police if they won’t go. If force is unavoidable, use only the minimum necessary; injury can expose you and the bar to legal action. If groups may keep fighting outside, stagger removals and use different exits. In *Hartley v. RCM Management* (BC Supreme Court, 2010), a nightclub was found liable because security didn’t step in during a two-minute shoving match before a patron was hurt, though courts have also said staff aren’t obliged to risk injury breaking up a fight that’s out of control.

## Questions people ask

### Do bouncers in BC need a licence?

Yes. The LCRB says anyone providing door security must be licensed under the Security Services Act.

### Can door staff let someone back in after they were kicked out?

Not for at least 24 hours. Returning within 24 hours is an offence.

## Sources

- [Liquor Primary Licence Terms and Conditions handbook, May 2026 (LCRB, PDF)](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/employment-business-and-economic-development/business-management/liquor-regulation-licensing/guides-and-manuals/liquorprimary-handbook.pdf) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Who needs Serving It Right? (responsibleservicebc.gov.bc.ca)](https://www.responsibleservicebc.gov.bc.ca/who-needs-serving-it-right) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Liquor Control and Licensing Act, SBC 2015, c. 19 (BC Laws)](https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/15019) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Serving It Right program manual, July 2026 (Province of British Columbia, PDF)](https://www.responsibleservicebc.gov.bc.ca/files/4309-BC_SIR_FINAL-JULY-29-2026-pdf) (checked 2026-10-26)

Not affiliated with the Government of British Columbia, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch or the Serving It Right program.

## Related

- [Checking ID in BC](https://servingitrighttest.ca/checking-id-bc)
- [Serving It Right for managers and licensees](https://servingitrighttest.ca/for/managers-and-licensees)
- [Serving It Right practice test](https://servingitrighttest.ca/serving-it-right-practice-test)
- [Checking ID and minors: practice quiz](https://servingitrighttest.ca/practice/checking-id)