Food handler certification

Peel Public Health offers a food handler certification course and home study exam for people who prepare food in food premises and for those interested in working in food premises.

Under O. Reg. 493/17: FOOD PREMISES, every operator of a food service premises in Ontario must ensure there is at least one person on the premises who has completed the food handler training while it is open.

In this course, you will learn about safe food handling practices and prepare for the food handler certification exam.

Learning how to handle food safely will help you to protect yourself and others from becoming sick from food or drink. Food handler certification is valid for 5 years from the date you become certified.

On this page

• Eligibility
• What you need
• Fees
• How to register
• Who to contact
• More information

Eligibility

The food handler certification course and home study exam are for people who work in food premises such as:

• restaurants
• catering services
• banquet halls
• food stores
• home-based food businesses (preparing moderate or high-risk foods)
• child care centres
• long term care homes

If you would like to work in one of these settings, you can also take the course or exam.

You don’t have to live or work in Peel Region to register for our course and the exam. There is no minimum age either.

What you need

To register, you will need an email account.

For the home study exam, we recommend using the study guide to prepare. When registering to become a certified food handler, let us know if you require the study guide or exam to be in a language other than English. Course instruction is given only in English.

In addition to English, the study guide and exam is available in 11 other languages:

• Arabic
• Chinese
• French
• Polish
• Portuguese
• Punjabi
• Russian
• Spanish
• Tagalog
• Tamil
• Urdu

Bring your government-issued ID, such as a driver’s licence, with you to the course and exam.

Fees

There are 3 ways to become a certified food handler.

Full-day classroom course

This course will provide food safety information required to pass the provincial food handler certification exam. Class is taught in person in Mississauga with instructors reviewing the information in the study guide answering any questions you have about handling food safely. Topics include cleaning and sanitizing, proper food handling and temperatures, pest control, food safety management, foodborne illness, receiving, storage and contamination of food. The certification exam will take place at the end of the class.

Cost: Food handler classroom course (includes study guide) with exam: $65.12

Home study

This course will provide food safety information required to pass the provincial food handler certification exam. Study for the exam on your own and write the exam in person by registering for one of the available exam dates to complete the certification process. Topics include cleaning and sanitizing, proper food handling and temperatures, pest control, food safety management, foodborne illness, receiving, storage and contamination of food.

Cost: Food handler certification home study (study guide and exam): $41.43

Exam only

Write the exam in person by registering for one of the available exam dates to complete the certification process. Topics include cleaning and sanitizing, proper food handling and temperatures, pest control, food safety management, foodborne illness, receiving, storage and contamination of food.

Cost: Food handler certification exam only: $23.67

How to register

Register for the full day classroom course, home study, or exam only. There is a minimum of 10 students and a maximum of 25 students per session.

We cannot give refunds for the study guide after it has been purchased.

Register

Who to contact

If you have any questions or need more information, email Peel Public Health or call 905-799-7700, toll-free 1-888-919-7800, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.