Food Handler Certification

Man preparing food in a kitchen wearing a mask

All food premises, including special event vendors, are required to have at least one food handler onsite during every hour of operation. It is recommended that anyone working in the food industry obtain Food Handler Certification.

Together with community partners, Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) offers in-person, online, and/or self-study (exam only) Food Handler Certification courses to residents of Elgin County, Oxford County, and the City of St. Thomas.

Register for a Food Handler Certification course

In-Person Courses

Please note that all in-person food handler certification courses and exams are currently suspended due to COVID-19.

St. Thomas Site

Food Handler Certification courses are offered at our St. Thomas site located at 1230 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON. This course is facilitated by one of our certified Public Health Inspectors.

Cost: $55 + HST
Registration and payment required in advance

Woodstock Site

This course is run regularly in partnership with Fanshawe College and is facilitated by a certified Public Health Inspector. The course is held over two evenings (5pm to 9pm) and is offered in both Woodstock and Tillsonburg. Participants complete the certification exam at the end of the course.

Cost: $50.50
Register through Fanshawe College

Re-certification

Food Handler Certifications expire after 5 years; therefore, individuals who continue to work in the food industry will need to get re-certified to maintain their certification. The in-person re-certification course is held during one evening (5pm to 9pm) at the Woodstock/Oxford Regional Campus.

Cost: $28.31
Register through Fanshawe College

Online Courses

Safe Check Food Safety Certification Course

Cost: $24.98 (tax & exam fee included)
24/7 access
multiple languages available for course and exam
online exams can be completed from any device equipped with a webcam and microphone (including tablets and mobile phones)

In Good Hands

Cost: $34.95 + HST (exam fee included)
Learn about safe food handling at your own pace in an online environment through 15 modules of course content.
Certification exam is offered online
View frequently asked questions to ensure your computer meets the requirements for the online course.

Self-Study and Certification (Exam Only)

Please note that all in-person food handler certification courses and exams are currently suspended due to COVID-19.

Download and study the free Provincial Food Handler Training Manual which is provided free by the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care (MOHLTC).
Upon completing the training manual, register for the Food Handler Exam through SWPH
Cost: $10

Other programs recognized by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

London Training Centre provides in-class training & certification recognized in Ontario.
- Note: London Training Centre offers EXAM ONLY sessions for $15, however you must call ahead to pay for a time slot.
Other Training Programs Recognized by the MOHLTC

What will I learn during the Food Handler Certification course?

During the Food Handler Certification course, students will learn:

The role of the Public Health Inspector and Public Health legislation
About bacteria that can cause illness
How to prevent foodborne illness
Personal hygiene, premises sanitation, and pest control practices within food premises
Food allergens and food recalls

Accommodation

If you require accommodation for your in-person course or exam, or if you would like to write the exam in French or Chinese (all in-person courses are taught in English), please contact us at 1-800-922-0096.

Please note that SWPH reserves the right to cancel exams and in-person courses. SWPH does not provide Smart Serve certification. For additional information on Smart Serve certification please visit www.smartserve.ca.