Kunnskapsprøven in English: what you need to know
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A plain-English guide to kunnskapsprøven (the alcohol act test) for shops, bars and restaurants. Facts checked 2026-10-21 against Oslo kommune and Helsedirektoratet. Prøvetolk is independent practice material, not an official source.
Can you take kunnskapsprøven in English?
No. The test is only in Norwegian, and you cannot bring an interpreter. You may bring a dictionary. If you have dyslexia, Oslo kommune lets you take it orally with a doctor's note. So the realistic way to prepare is to practise the Norwegian wording until it feels familiar, with English help while you learn.
Who needs it
A place that sells or serves alcohol must have a styrer (manager) and a stedfortreder (deputy). Both must have passed the right kunnskapsprøve and be at least 20 years old. There are three versions:
- Salgsbevilling (shop): selling beer and cider in a grocery store.
- Skjenkebevilling (serving): serving alcohol in a restaurant, bar or pub.
- Skjenkekontrollør: for inspectors. Prøvetolk does not cover this one.
Not sure which one? See shop test vs bar test: the rules that differ. Opening a restaurant? The daglig leder also needs etablererprøven.
Not the same as etablererprøven, which is about the serving act and business rules and is needed by the daglig leder of a café or restaurant. Many restaurant managers need both.
The format
- 30 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes.
- Pass mark: 24 correct (80%).
- When you pass you get a prøvebevis (certificate) by email. It does not expire.
How to book
You book through your kommune. In Oslo it costs 400 NOK, you book online with ID-porten and pay with Vipps, and the fee is not refunded if you cancel or fail. Other kommuner set their own price and routine, so check your kommune's website.
What is on the syllabus
The alcohol act (alkoholloven) and the alcohol regulations (alkoholforskriften): age limits, sales and serving hours, intoxicated customers, the advertising ban, internal control and the penalty point (prikk) system. The chapters differ a little between the shop and the serving test.
Words you will see on the test
- bevilling: licence · salg: sale (shop) · skjenking: serving
- styrer / stedfortreder: manager / deputy
- åpenbart påvirket: obviously intoxicated
- aldersgrense: age limit · legitimasjon: ID
- salgstid / skjenketid: sales hours / serving hours
- prikk: penalty point · internkontroll: internal control
- alkoholholdig drikk gruppe 1, 2, 3: drinks by strength (beer/cider up to 4.7%, wine and drinks under 22%, spirits 22–60%)
Example questions, with answers
These are real questions from Prøvetolk's free test, in Norwegian like the exam, with English help and the paragraph each answer comes from.
Shop · Alkoholloven § 1-5
Hva er aldersgrensen for å kjøpe øl med 4,7 volumprosent alkohol i en butikk?
What is the age limit for buying beer with 4.7% alcohol in a shop?
- 16 år (16)
- 18 år (18) ✓
- 20 år (20)
Answer: B. Drinks with up to 22% alcohol may not be sold or served to anyone under 18. Shops can only sell drinks up to 4.7%, so the limit in a shop is always 18.
Bar/restaurant · Alkoholloven § 1-5
En gjest på 19 år bestiller en drink med vodka (40 %). Hva gjør du?
A 19-year-old guest orders a drink with vodka (40%). What do you do?
- Skjenker drinken (Serve the drink)
- Nekter å skjenke drinken (Refuse to serve the drink) ✓
- Skjenker hvis gjesten har med en voksen (Serve it if the guest is with an adult)
Answer: B. Drinks with 22% alcohol or more may not be served to anyone under 20. A 19-year-old can be served beer or wine, but not spirits.
Bar/restaurant · Alkoholforskriften § 4-1
En gjest som er åpenbart påvirket av rusmidler, kommer til døren. Hva skal skjenkestedet gjøre?
A guest who is obviously intoxicated arrives at the door. What must the venue do?
- Slippe gjesten inn, men bare servere alkoholfritt (Let the guest in, but serve only alcohol-free drinks)
- Avvise gjesten (Refuse the guest entry) ✓
- Slippe gjesten inn hvis gjesten har bestilt bord (Let the guest in if they have a table booking)
Answer: B. People who are obviously intoxicated must not be let into the venue; they must be turned away. If they cannot look after themselves, the venue must make sure they get help (bistandsplikt).
Shop + bar/restaurant · Alkoholforskriften § 10-3
Hvor mange prikker gis for salg eller skjenking til en person under 18 år?
How many points are given for selling or serving alcohol to someone under 18?
- 2 prikker (2 points)
- 4 prikker (4 points)
- 8 prikker (8 points) ✓
Answer: C. Selling or serving to someone under 18 is one of the most serious breaches and gives 8 points.
Shop · Alkoholloven § 3-7
Er det lov å selge øl i butikk på en søndag?
Is it legal to sell beer in a shop on a Sunday?
- Ja, mellom kl. 12.00 og 15.00 (Yes, between 12:00 and 15:00)
- Nei (No) ✓
- Ja, hvis kommunen tillater det (Yes, if the kommune allows it)
Answer: B. Selling beer (group 1) is banned on Sundays and public holidays. The kommune cannot change this.
Shop · Alkoholforskriften § 3-1
En kunde i butikken er åpenbart påvirket og vil kjøpe øl. Hva gjør du?
A customer in the shop is obviously intoxicated and wants to buy beer. What do you do?
- Selger ølet (Sell the beer)
- Nekter salg (Refuse the sale) ✓
- Selger bare lettøl (Sell only light beer)
Answer: B. It is forbidden to sell alcohol to anyone who is obviously under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Practise the rest
Prøvetolk has a free test for both the shop and the bar/restaurant exam, no sign-up needed. Full access to the whole question bank and timed exam mode costs 299 NOK for 60 days, with a 14-day refund.
Explanations are written with help from AI and reviewed against alkoholloven, alkoholforskriften and Helsedirektoratet's guidance.
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