Frequently Asked Questions

1) Every operator of a food service establishment must hold a certificate, issued by a health official, for the successful completion of the food handler training program known as FOODSAFE or its equivalent.

2) Every operator of a food service establishment must ensure that, while the operator is absent from the food service establishment, at least one employee present in the establishment holds the certificate referred to in subsection (1).

This means that it is not required by the BC regulation that you have a FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate in order to work as a server. However, some employers require that all their employees have a Level 1 certificate. Also, it is an advantage to have your certificate when applying for jobs.

The FOODSAFE course is about preventing the transmission of foodborne illness and also about worker safety on the job. People who prepare, serve and clean up food should take the course for the safety of the customers and also for their own safety.

To find courses in your area, search the directory found on the Courses page.

As of July 29, 2013, all FOODSAFE Level 1 certificates issued in British Columbia have a five-year expiry date. FOODSAFE Level 1 certificates issued prior to July 29, 2013, are valid until July 29, 2018. To help FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate holders keep their food safety knowledge up to date, a short FOODSAFE Level 1 * Refresher course is offered online by Open School BC. The approximately three-hour refresher course covers all the essentials of the FOODSAFE Level 1 training program. A grade of 80% must be achieved in the exam to be recertified.

*Update from Foodsafe.ca website:

After January 15, 2019, all individuals with expired certificates will be required to take the Regular FOODSAFE Level 1 course, available online, in person or by distance/correspondence. (Online Refresher course is only available to individuals prior to expiry of their certification)

FOODSAFE certificates are issued by the Health Authorities and you will need to contact the Health Authority in the region where you took the course to get a replacement certificate.

Crown Publications, Queen’s Printer (QP) publishes and distributes the FOODSAFE curriculum products. You may purchase extra Student Workbooks for you or your business at the Queen’s Printer website.

Yes, the FOODSAFE Level 1 Student Workbook is also available in French, Chinese, Korean and Punjabi. Let your FOODSAFE instructor know in advance if you would like to have your workbook in a language other than English.

Yes. Let your FOODSAFE instructor know in advance if you would like to have your exam in a language other than English.

FAQs are based on the BC Foodsafe website.