Food Handler Certification Program

Mandatory Food Handler Certification

The Ontario Food Premises Regulation 493/17 requires all food service premises to have a certified food handler onsite at all times.

A food service premises is any food premises where meals or meal portions are prepared for immediate consumption or sold or served in a form that will permit immediate consumption on the premises or elsewhere.

Here are few examples that would fall under this category:

  • Banquet halls
  • Child care centres
  • Convenience stores that sell potentially hazardous food items
  • Delis
  • Food take-out
  • Recreational camps
  • Restaurants
  • Supermarkets
  • Special event vendors

NOTE: YorkSafe Proof of Inspection Signs acknowledge whether or not a food establishment has at least one certified food handler on-site at the time of inspection.

Food Handler Certificates

A Food Handler Certificate demonstrates that a person has the fundamental knowledge and skills required to handle food safely in a food business.

To receive a certificate, you must complete a Food Handler Certification Training Course and pass an exam with a mark of 70% or higher. Food Handler Certificates are recognized across Ontario and are valid for five years. Expired certificates must be renewed.

Food Handler Certification Training Course and Exam Providers

Please note that York Region Public Health no longer offers Food Handler Certification training courses or exams. Please see below for a list of provincially- recognized providers that offer in-person or self-directed training courses and exams.

For a complete list, visit the Ministry of Health

Provincially-Recognized Providers Offering:

In-person Food Handler Certification Training Courses and Exams
Self-directed Online Food Handler Certification Training Courses and Exams
In-person or Online Food Handler Certification Training Exams-Only Option
In-person or Online Food Handler Certification Training Courses and Exams Other languages Option
  • SafeCheck®
    • Online course and exam available in French, Hindi, Punjabi, Arabic, and Spanish.
    • Online English course with exams in Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, Tamil, Urdu, Cantonese, Farsi, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese.
  • Canadian Food Safety Training 
    • Exam available in English, Spanish, Farsi, French, Korean, Chinese, Greek and Polish

Please note:

Some community organizations and employment programs may still qualify for Food Handler Certification training courses and exam sessions hosted by York Region Public Health. To find out if you qualify, please call Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 TTY 1-866-252-9933 or email [email protected]

Food Handler Certification Training Manuals

Manuals can be downloaded free of charge using the links below:

Hard copies of the training manuals can be purchased by emailing Health Connection at @email; or calling 1-800-361-5653 or TTY 1-866-525-9933 (for the deaf or hard of hearing), Monday to Friday (except holidays) between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Course manuals are available in English, Chinese, Tamil and French.

For more information about the Food Handler Certification Program, please contact us by phone through Health Connection: 1-800-361-5653 or TTY 1-866-525-9933 (for the deaf or hard of hearing) or by email: @email

Related Resources

External Resources