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Food Handler Certification Program
Important changes coming to the Food Handler Certification Program effective January 1, 2020
York Region Public Health will be discontinuing our online and in-person YorkSafe Food Handler Certification training effective January 1, 2020. Regular scheduled exam sessions will still be available. Courses are available through surrounding health units and other providers, which offer many flexible options including online exam sessions.
The Ministry of Health has a list of approved equivalent courses which can be found here:
http://health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/enviro/
Food Handler Certification previously obtained through York Region Public Health is still valid until the expiry date found on your certificate or card.
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 Certification Program
Self-study exam sessions are available. You may purchase the materials or download for free to study on your own. Register for the exam sessions using the link below. An exam mark of 70 per cent is required to pass and become certified. Your certification is valid for five years and recognized across Ontario.
Some community organizations and employment programs as well as some individuals may still qualify for programming / workshops. To find out if you qualify please call Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 TTY 1-866-252-9933.
For more information please email Health.Inspectors@york.ca.
Cost
| Food Handler Certification | Cost (HST Included) |
| Exam session | $20 |
| Manual (available at one of the Region’s offices below)
Please note the manual can be downloaded free of charge. |
$10 |
Note:
- Payment can be made by cash or cheque only at the Region’s offices listed below. Cheques must be made payable to The Regional Municipality of York
- Payment by debit can only be made at the Richmond Hill office
- Payment by credit card can only be made during online registration
- Prices are subject to change without notice
- Low cost and no cost options may apply. Please contact Health Connection for more information
- Some organizations and individuals may still qualify for programming / workshops. To find out if you qualify please call Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653 TTY 1-866-252-9933
Registration and Schedule
- Registration and purchase of manuals can be done at York Region Community and Health Services offices, and Access York, Monday to Friday (except holidays) between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Telephone registration and support with online registration is available by calling Access York Toll Free: 1-877-464-9675 or TTY: 1-866-512-6228 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)
- Course material is available in English, Chinese, Tamil and French
- Exams are available in English, French, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Tamil, Farsi and Arabic
- Bring a pencil, eraser and government-issued photo identification for the exam
There is a three to four week turnaround time for exams to be marked and mailed out.
We reserve the right to cancel a course if there are not enough registrants.
Schedule:
Course Material
Food Handler Certification manual - English |
Food Handler Certification manual - Chinese |
Food Handler Certification manual -Tamil |
Food Safety - A Guide for Ontario's Foodhandlers - French |
Registration Locations
York Region Administrative Centre
Access York Counter
17250 Yonge Street, 1st Floor, Room 12000
Newmarket, Ontario
L3Y 4W5
Tel: 1-877-464-9675
Keswick office
Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
24262 Woodbine Avenue
Keswick, Ontario
L4P 3E9
Tel: 1-877-464-9675
Markham office
Shoppes of Unionville Plaza
Health Protection Division
4261 Highway #7 East, Suites B6-9
Unionville, Ontario
L3R 9W6
Tel: 1-877-464-9675
Richmond Hill office
South Service Centre - Health Protection Division
50 High Tech Road, Second Floor
Richmond Hill, Ontario
L4B 4N7
Tel: 1-877-464-9675
Vaughan office
9060 Jane Street
Vaughan, Ontario
L4K 2M9
Tel: 1-877-464-9675
Exam Locations
East Gwillimbury
Waste Management Centre
100 Garfield Wright Boulevard
East Gwillimbury, Ontario
L0G 1V0
Keswick office
24262 Woodbine Avenue
Keswick, Ontario
L4P 3E9
Markham office
Shoppes of Unionville Plaza
Health Protection Division
4261 Highway #7 East, Suites B6-9
Unionville, Ontario
L3R 9W6
Richmond Hill office
South Service Centre
50 High Tech Road, Second Floor
Richmond Hill, Ontario
L4B 4N7
Vaughan office
9060 Jane Street
Vaughan, Ontario
L4K 2M9
Map
Related Resources
External Resources
- Global Food Safety Resource Centre - information on food safety standards and practices
- Ministry of Health and Long Term Care – full list of equivalent courses
- MOHLTC food handler certification manual - French
