Food Handlers Certificate FAQ

For most people they are the same thing. In Canada, a food handler certificate and a food safety certificate both mean the basic training for anyone who works with food. The name changes by province, and a few advanced manager courses also use the words food safety, but for a regular food job the two names point to the same basic certificate.

Yes. FOODSAFE Level 1 is the name British Columbia uses for its food handler certificate. The training covers the same basics and lasts 5 years. You can read more on our FOODSAFE Level 1 page.

You take an approved online course, pass the exam with 70%, and download your certificate the same day. With Probe It the course is self paced, so you can finish in one sitting or spread it out. Start the course here.

You can get it fully online from a government approved provider, with no classroom needed. Probe It is approved by the Ontario Ministry of Health and recognized by public health authorities across Canada, so you complete everything from home and download your certificate as soon as you pass.

You do not need an in person class. An approved online certificate is accepted the same as a classroom one, and you can do it from anywhere in Canada on any device with a camera.

Yes. As soon as you pass the exam you can download and print your certificate. Most people finish and have it the same day.

With Probe It it is $49.95, paid once. That covers the full course and the exam, and you also get a free WHMIS certificate with it.

Yes. The price covers the course and the exam. There are no extra fees to sit the exam or to retake it.

You can find free practice material online, but a free quiz is not the same as an approved certificate. Only a certificate from a government approved provider is accepted by employers and health units.

Most people finish the course in about 6 hours. It is self paced, so you can take longer or break it into a few shorter sittings.

You have 30 days from the day you log in. During those 30 days you can start and stop the course as many times as you want.

Yes. You can use any device with a working camera, including a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop. The camera is needed for the exam.

Yes. The course is self paced. Study when it suits you, stop, and pick up where you left off, all within your 30 days.

You need at least 70% to pass and receive your certificate.

The final exam has 50 multiple choice questions.

No, it is closed book. The exam is also proctored to keep it fair for everyone.

Yes. The exam is proctored by webcam, and you show photo ID before you start. Health authorities require this to confirm who is taking the test. Your ID records are not kept.

You can retake it. Retakes are free and unlimited, so you can try again until you pass. Most people pass on the first try.

The proctor service watches for unusual behaviour to keep the exam secure. Anyone believed to be breaking the exam rules may be required to retake the exam at their own cost.

Yes. Your result is shared only with you, any group that sponsored your training, and your local and provincial health authorities, as required.

Yes, food handler certificates do expire. In Ontario, a food handler certificate is generally valid for 5 years from the date of issue and must be renewed before it expires.

You renew by taking the course and exam again with an approved provider before your current one expires. You can renew with Probe It here.

You can log in and download your certificate again, since a digital copy is always available. Employers can also confirm a certificate with our Verify Certificate tool.

Yes. Ontario Regulation 493/17 requires every food premises to have at least one certified food handler on site during all open hours. More detail is on our Ontario food safety laws page.

Anyone who handles, prepares, or serves food in a licensed food business. That includes staff in restaurants, cafes, catering, day cares, and long term care kitchens.

Yes. A certificate from a government approved online course is accepted the same as a classroom one. Probe It is approved, so your certificate counts.

Probe It is recognized across Canada. Local rules can vary, so it is always smart to confirm your own health unit accepts approved online providers.

Yes. Probe It has been approved by the Ontario Ministry of Health since 2015 and is recognized by public health authorities across Canada. When you pick an online course, choose a provider with government approval like Probe It, since that is what employers and health inspectors look for.

Yes. Your employer can check it with the Verify Certificate tool on our site.

Yes. Your card details are processed securely through Stripe, and our own server does not store your card information.