How to Get Your FOODSAFE Level 1 Certificate in Surrey, BC
Samira Ali·Certified Public Health Inspector·Last updated September 2026 · 6 min read
To work with food in Surrey, you need FOODSAFE Level 1, the food safety certificate British Columbia uses. You can finish the course online in a single sitting, pass the exam, and get certified the same day. It costs $49.95, registration takes 30 seconds, and the certificate is valid for 5 years and accepted by Fraser Health across all of Surrey.
Surrey runs on food jobs. From the food courts at Guildford Town Centre and Central City to the restaurants along Scott Road, Newton, and South Surrey, almost every food service employer asks for FOODSAFE Level 1 before your first shift. The good news: you do not need to sit in a classroom to get it. You can take the FOODSAFE Level 1 course for Surrey fully online. Here is exactly how it works in Surrey.
FOODSAFE Level 1 is the certificate Fraser Health inspectors look for in Surrey kitchens.
The short version
Surrey uses FOODSAFE Level 1. It is BC's name for the food handler certificate. Same training, different name.
It is the law. The operator of every food business must hold FOODSAFE or its equivalent, plus at least one employee on site when the operator is away.
You can do it online. Same day, $49.95, register in 30 seconds.
The exam is 50 questions. You need 70% to pass. It is not open book, so do the course first.
Valid 5 years. Fraser Health accepts it across every Surrey neighbourhood.
What FOODSAFE Level 1 is, and why Surrey uses that name
British Columbia does not call it a "food handler certificate." The province calls it FOODSAFE Level 1. It is the exact same idea as the food handler certificate in Ontario or Alberta: proof that a food worker has been trained in safe food handling. The name is just different.
FOODSAFE is a Province of British Columbia program, run with the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) and the regional health authorities. In Surrey, that authority is Fraser Health, which issues food premises permits and sends Environmental Health Officers to inspect local restaurants, cafes, grocery delis, and food trucks.
Do you legally need FOODSAFE Level 1 to work in Surrey?
Yes, in most food roles. Section 10 of BC's Food Premises Regulation (BC Reg 210/99) requires every operator of a food service establishment to hold a certificate for FOODSAFE or its equivalent. When the operator is away, at least one employee on site must hold it too. Because employers need someone certified whenever the operator is out, most simply ask all food staff to get it.
That covers cooks, servers, kitchen helpers, baristas, deli and counter staff, food truck workers, and many grocery roles across Surrey. If you handle food, prep, or service, you almost certainly need it.
★ Inspector's Note
When an inspector walks into a busy kitchen, one of the first checks is training: who holds a valid FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate, and who covers when the operator is out. Get certified before your first day, save a copy on your phone, and you are never the reason a shift gets flagged.
Samira Ali, on what health officers check first
How to get your FOODSAFE Level 1 in Surrey, step by step
Register online. Sign up for the FOODSAFE Level 1 course. It takes about 30 seconds and you can start right away from any Surrey address.
Complete the course. Work through the lessons on temperature control, cross-contamination, cleaning and sanitizing, and personal hygiene. You can do it in one sitting.
Pass the exam. The exam is 50 multiple-choice questions and you need 70% to pass. It is not open book, so finish the course before you start.
Download your certificate. Once you pass, you are certified the same day and can show your certificate to any Surrey employer or Fraser Health inspector.
Is FOODSAFE Level 1 the same as a food handler certificate?
Yes. FOODSAFE Level 1 is British Columbia's version of the food handler certificate. Other provinces say "food handler certificate"; BC says "FOODSAFE Level 1." It is the same training and the same purpose, just a different provincial name. Surrey employers and Fraser Health both use the FOODSAFE name.
Can I get FOODSAFE Level 1 online in Surrey?
Yes. You do not need a classroom. You can complete the course and exam online from any Surrey address, pass the same day, and download your certificate. Registration takes 30 seconds and the cost is $49.95. Our online course is on the BCCDC list of courses equivalent to FOODSAFE Level 1. Equivalent-course holders are not in the BC FOODSAFE Registry, so keep your own copy of the certificate.
How long is FOODSAFE Level 1 valid in BC?
A FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate is valid for 5 years from the date you pass. After that you retake the course and exam to stay certified.
Who enforces food safety rules in Surrey?
Fraser Health is the regional health authority for Surrey. Its Environmental Health Officers issue food premises permits and inspect local food businesses. During an inspection they confirm that certified, FOODSAFE-trained staff are on shift.
What score do I need to pass the FOODSAFE exam?
The FOODSAFE Level 1 exam is 50 multiple-choice questions and you need 70% to pass. It is not open book, so complete the course first. A short practice test beforehand makes the real exam much easier.
Get FOODSAFE Level 1 certified in Surrey today
Online, same day, valid 5 years across BC and accepted by Fraser Health. The certificate Surrey employers ask for, ready before your first shift.
