Working in a kitchen, café, food truck, or grocery deli? In Ontario, most food businesses must have at least one certified food handler on site during every hour of operation.
Toronto follows the same rule, but there’s one big twist: Toronto Public Health’s own courses and exams are “on hold indefinitely”, so residents now use other Ontario-approved providers.
This guide explains:
- What a food handler certificate is
- How Toronto’s situation differs from the rest of Ontario
- Step-by-step: course vs exam-only paths
- Realistic costs and timelines
- How long the certificate lasts and how it ties into kitchen jobs
It’s a fast, practical credential that helps you get hired for entry-level food service roles—kitchen helper, food counter attendant, deli clerk, prep cook—in a job market with a moderate but steady outlook across Ontario.
What is a food handler certificate?
A food handler certificate proves you completed provincially recognised training and passed an exam on:
- Safe receiving, storage, cooking, cooling, and reheating
- Cleaning and sanitising equipment and surfaces
- Personal hygiene and illness policies
- Basic food-borne illness and cross-contamination prevention
Most health units and recognised programs:
- Use a standardised provincial curriculum
- Require a minimum 70% to pass the exam
- Issue a certificate that is valid for five (5) years and recognised across Ontario
Job reality: why this certificate actually matters
You’ll see “Food Handler certificate required or an asset” on many postings for:
- Fast-food and quick-service restaurants
- Cafés and bakeries
- Grocery store delis and hot tables
- Long-term care and hospital kitchens
Job Bank classifies food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (NOC 65201) with a moderate employment outlook in Ontario for 2024–2026, with many opportunities driven by turnover and steady demand in food services.
The certificate alone won’t guarantee a job or high pay, but it:
- Meets a legal requirement for food premises
- Makes you an easier hire for employers (they need certified people on every shift)
- Signals that you understand safety and hygiene, which matters a lot in shared kitchens
Toronto vs rest of Ontario: key differences (2025)
| Topic | Toronto | Rest of Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Who recognises the certificate? | Recognised by Toronto Public Health and health units across Ontario | Recognised across Ontario (health units, inspectors, many employers) |
| Where to take course/exam? | Toronto Public Health program is closed/on hold indefinitely; residents use Ontario-approved providers or other health units | Many health units, colleges, and recognised private providers offer courses and exams, sometimes exam-only options |
| Is certification required on shift? | Yes – at least one certified food handler on site during every hour of operation | Same requirement under O. Reg. 493/17 and local by-laws |
| Validity | 5 years | 5 years (renew by retaking exam/course) |
Toronto detail: The city’s page states its Food Handler Certification Program is closed and on hold indefinitely, but Toronto Public Health accepts certificates from any Ontario health unit or Ministry-recognised provider.
Step-by-step: how to get a food handler certificate
Step 1 – Decide: course + exam vs exam-only
You usually have two options:
- Take a full course + exam
- Good if you’re new to kitchens or want a structured class.
- Offered by many health units, colleges, and private providers.
- Challenge the exam only (where offered)
- You self-study the manual, then sit a proctored exam.
- Common at health units like Niagara, North Bay Parry Sound, and Southwestern.
If you’ve worked in kitchens already, exam-only can be cheaper and faster. If you’re brand new, a one-day course is usually worth the extra money.
Step 2 – Pick a recognised provider
You want a program that is recognised by your health unit and by the Ontario Ministry of Health. Check:
- Your local health unit’s site (they often list their own courses and approved external programs)
- The provincial list of accredited food handler training and certification programs, often linked from health unit pages (e.g., Haldimand-Norfolk, Simcoe Muskoka)
Typical provider types:
- Health units (Niagara, York, Simcoe Muskoka, etc.) – often low cost, trusted by inspectors.
- Colleges – e.g., Fleming College continuing education.
- Online providers on the Ministry’s equivalency list – In Good Hands, FoodSafetyTraining.ca, ProbIt, etc. (names vary by health unit).
If a provider isn’t listed on any official site, be cautious.
Step 3 – Study the official manual and practice
Most health units offer a free study manual PDF (often called “Food Safety: A Guide for Ontario’s Food Handlers”).
Smart approach:
- Skim the manual once start-to-finish
- Create a small cheat sheet with:
- Safe temperatures (cold ≤4°C, hot ≥60°C, freezer ≤−18°C)
- Critical cooling/reheating steps
- Handwashing steps and when to wash
- Do practice questions from your provider or health unit if they’re available
Most courses and exams are designed for Grade 8–10 level reading, but they are quite detailed.
Step 4 – Write the proctored exam
Whether online or in person, you’ll need:
- A government-issued photo ID
- To follow exam rules (no notes, no phone use, etc.)
Common pattern:
- Length: about 60–75 multiple-choice questions
- Passing mark: at least 70%
- Time: about 60–90 minutes
- Languages: many health units offer exams in multiple languages (e.g., English, Simplified Chinese, Arabic, French, Korean, etc.).
When you pass, you’ll receive a wallet card and/or electronic certificate.
Step 5 – Save and share your certificate
Do three things right away:
- Take photos/scans of your card and store them in cloud storage
- Keep a printed copy in a binder at your workplace
- Add it to your resume and LinkedIn under “Certifications” (e.g., “Food Handler Certification – Ontario-recognised (expires 2030)”)
This makes it easy for employers and inspectors to see that your site is compliant.
Time and cost: realistic 2025 ranges
How long it takes
- Full 1-day course: typically 4–8 hours + exam at the end
- Online self-paced + exam: total around 4–10 hours depending on your pace
- Exam-only: you can self-study in a few evenings and write a 1-hour exam when scheduled
Most people who study seriously can complete everything within one weekend or spread it over a couple of weeks while working another job.
What it costs (examples from health units)
Health unit examples (2024–25):
- Niagara Region – exam-only option around $25.50; some course/exam options at similar prices or free in certain schedules.
- North Bay Parry Sound – exam challenge fee $20.
- Southwestern Public Health – exam cost around $15–$20 in some locations.
Private online providers commonly charge $30–$60 for course + exam bundles, depending on language support and features.
So a realistic range for most students/workers is $20–$70, with some workplaces reimbursing or covering the fee.
Mini-case: A student working part-time at a bubble tea shop might self-study the free health unit manual during the week, pay $25 for an exam-only session on Saturday, and be certified by the time they start their next month of shifts.
How long does a food handler certificate last?
Across Ontario—including Toronto—the standard food handler certificate is valid for five (5) years.
After five years:
- It expires
- You must renew, usually by taking the exam again (some providers let you do a shorter refresher course + exam)
Health units advise keeping track of expiry dates and renewing in advance to avoid falling out of compliance.
“Food safety training” vs “food handler certificate”
In everyday conversation, people use them almost interchangeably:
- Food safety training = the course or learning component
- Food handler certificate = the credential proving you passed the recognised exam
Health units and inspectors treat the certificate as proof you have the skills and knowledge to handle food safely and meet the Food Premises Regulation.
Where to get a food handler certificate: options by situation
If you work or live outside Toronto
- Start with your local health unit (Niagara, Simcoe Muskoka, Halton, York, Waterloo, etc.). Many still run regular courses and/or exam-only sessions.
- If health unit courses are full or paused, use a Ministry-recognised online provider listed on their page.
If you live in Toronto
- Toronto Public Health’s own program is paused (“on hold indefinitely”).
- You can:
- Take an online course from a Ministry-recognised provider
- Travel to a nearby health unit (e.g., York, Peel, Durham) for in-person exams if convenient
If you’re an employer opening a new food premises
- Your local health unit’s “opening a food premises” checklist will mention registering the business and ensuring certified staff on every shift.
Ontario requirement: what the law actually says
The requirement comes from O. Reg. 493/17 – Food Premises, under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Health unit manuals summarise it as:
At least one trained (certified) food handler or supervisor must be on site during all hours of operation at most food premises.
This applies to:
- Restaurants and cafés
- Food trucks and carts
- Banquet halls and caterers
- Child-care and institutional kitchens
- Special-event food vendors (with some exemptions, but many still must have a certified handler)
Local by-laws (e.g., London/Middlesex) can add extra rules, like requiring certificates to be available on site for inspectors to see.
Quick checklist
- ☐ Confirm you need certification (almost all commercial food premises do).
- ☐ Choose course + exam or exam-only based on your experience.
- ☐ Pick a recognised provider (health unit, college, or Ministry-approved online program).
- ☐ Study the official manual and do practice questions.
- ☐ Bring government ID, write the proctored exam, aim for 70%+.
- ☐ Save your wallet card/e-certificate in multiple places.
- ☐ Note the expiry date and plan to renew every 5 years.
Key takeaways
- Ontario law expects at least one certified food handler on site at all times when food is prepared or served, including in Toronto.
- In 2025, Toronto’s own program is paused, but certificates from other Ontario-recognised providers are accepted.
- The certificate is valid for 5 years across Ontario and is a common requirement in kitchen, café, deli, and institutional food service jobs.
- Realistic total cost is usually $20–$70, and many people can get certified in a single day or weekend.
- Always confirm your provider appears on a health unit or provincial approved list, and keep your certificate easy to show inspectors and employers.
