FOODSAFE and Serving It Right in BC

If you want to work in a restaurant, café, bar, or food store in BC, you will hear about two certificates again and again:

• FOODSAFE Level 1, for handling food safely
• Serving It Right, for serving or selling alcohol

You can do both online, and each one costs less than $100. This guide explains what they are, who needs them, and how to get them. We checked these facts on October 11, 2026. Prices and rules can change, so confirm on the official websites before you pay.

At a glance

FOODSAFE Level 1

What it is

FOODSAFE is a food safety training program from the Province of British Columbia. Level 1 covers foodborne illness, receiving and storing food, preparing and serving food, cleaning and sanitizing, and worker safety.

Who needs it

Under BC's Food Premises Regulation, the operator of a food service business must hold a FOODSAFE certificate or an equivalent. When the operator is away, at least one employee on site must have one (FOODSAFE: Take a course).

The regulation does not require every server to have FOODSAFE. But some employers ask all their staff to get it. Level 1 is meant for front-line workers like cooks, servers, bussers, dishwashers, and deli workers. Having it on your resume can help you get hired.

How to take it online

Open School BC runs the online course:

• Cost: $69. The FOODSAFE FAQ lists this price before taxes.
• Time: about 7 hours of material
• Access: 20 days from when you start
• Exam: 50 multiple-choice questions
• Language: the online exam is in English only

If you would like to write the exam in another language, there are other options. The distance (paper-based) course offers exams in Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, Japanese, Korean, Punjabi, Spanish, and Tagalog. Classroom and video-conference courses are also offered by local providers, who set their own prices. See the FOODSAFE Level 1 page for current options and prices.

How long it lasts

A Level 1 certificate is valid for 5 years after it is issued. The date is on your certificate (FOODSAFE FAQ).

To renew, you can take the online Level 1 Refresher course, which costs $55 before taxes. The refresher is only for people whose Level 1 certificate has not expired yet. So plan to renew before your expiration date.

Lost your certificate? The FAQ says you can ask any Regional Health Authority in BC for a replacement.

Serving It Right

What it is

Serving It Right is BC's required self-study course on serving alcohol responsibly. The course covers how alcohol affects people, signs of intoxication, alcohol and the law, and responsible service.

Who needs it

Generally, the people who sell or serve alcohol in licensed places need it (Who needs Serving It Right?):

• Restaurants: licensees, managers, servers, and anyone who may be left in charge
• Bars, pubs, and nightclubs: licensees, managers, servers, and bartenders
• Private liquor stores: licensees, managers, and sales staff
• Grocery stores that sell wine on the shelves: the person who makes the sale, who must also be at least 19

Already have a responsible service certificate from another province? According to the Serving It Right FAQs, servers with a valid certificate from another Canadian province may not need Serving It Right. Licensees, managers, and liquor store staff still need it. Your employer may also ask you to get it anyway.

Cost and exam

From the Serving It Right FAQs and the exam page:

• The course is free.
• The exam costs $40, plus tax, and includes 3 attempts. If you don't pass in 3 tries, you can buy 3 more attempts for $40.
• The exam has 35 multiple-choice questions. You need 80% (28 correct answers) to pass.
• The course and exam are in English only.
• There is no minimum age to get the certificate.
• You get your result right away. Certificates are no longer mailed. You print or download yours from your account and can email it to your employer.

Having the certificate does not override other liquor rules. For example, staff who sell wine in grocery stores must be at least 19.

How long it lasts

Your Serving It Right certificate is valid for 5 years from the date you completed the final exam.

Who pays for the course?

Often, you pay for it yourself. Some employers cover the cost, so it is worth asking.

BC's Employment Standards policy says that training to get or keep a permit, licence, or certificate that lets you work for many different employers is not considered "work" (BC Employment Standards definitions). Certificates like these usually fall into that group, so an employer does not have to pay you for the time you spend on them.

Training your employer gives you to learn your specific job is different. That training is work, and you must be paid for it. If you are not sure which applies to you, contact the Employment Standards Branch. Our guide to your rights at work in BC has the contact details.

Tips for passing

• For FOODSAFE, take notes on safe temperatures, timing, hand washing, and cleaning steps.
• For Serving It Right, focus on checking ID, signs of intoxication, and your legal duties as a server.
• Use a computer and a quiet place for each exam.
• Save a PDF of each certificate, keep a photo on your phone, and put the expiration dates in your calendar.
• Add both certificates to your resume, with the date you got them.

Next steps

• Food service and barista jobs in Metro Vancouver
• Kitchen and dishwasher jobs in Metro Vancouver
• Learn about the work: Food service and barista jobs
• Know your rights at work in BC