Food Safety Training and Certification

The Food Safety Training course is for all food handlers. It focuses on the requirements of the Ontario Food Premises Regulation 562. There are two steps to getting certified:

1. Taking the course
2. Taking the exam

Details about writing the exam are below this year’s schedule.

Food Safety Training Course

Public health inspectors teach the course over one full day.  At the end of the day, there is a certification exam. Alternatively, you can complete one of the following online courses, then call us to schedule a time to write the certification exam

• In Good Hands
• TrainCAN - Basics.FST Course
• Food Prep

To register:

• Register online or call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2673
• The cost is $45, including HST, course materials and the certification exam.
• Courses are offered based on demand.
• Please be aware of our 24-hour cancellation policy: you must let us know at least 24 hours before the course begins to receive a full refund. 

Course schedule 

Course topics

Topics covered include:

Part 1:  Public Health and the Health Unit

• What the Law Says
• Role of the Public Health Inspector and food handlers

Part 2: Food-borne Illness

Part 3: Food Handling and Cooking

Part 4: Food Premises Sanitation

Part 5: Emergency Situations

Certification exam

To become a certified food handler, you must get at least 75% on the certification exam. Certification is valid for five years from the date the test is completed. The test costs $12, HST included, to write.

Exam schedule

Register by phone to write the certification exam at your local WDG Public Health Office.  If you prefer to write the exam at our Guelph office, please register for one of the following scheduled times:

If you prefer to write the exam at our Fergus or Orangeville office, please call to schedule an exam time with a public health inspector.