Certified Food Handler Training

The Food Handler Certification program is an excellent opportunity to learn the safe way to prepare food. Whether you operate a restaurant, take-out, catering, or mobile food premises, or are working directly with high-risk groups such as children and the elderly, this one-day course is designed to meet the needs of your staff and your customers.

In addition to Ottawa Public Health's (OPH's) food handler training program, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) has recognized other programs, including an online program, and has deemed them be equivalent to the training and certification offered by OPH.  OPH will accept certifications issued by these providers, as well as those issued from any other health unit in Ontario.

Click here: MOHLTC approved food handler training and certification courses

OPH Course Features

This certificate-based course is designed to meet the content requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

Gives participants a strong knowledge of:

• The Role of the Health Unit and Understanding Foodborne Illness
• Understanding Bacteria
• Preventing Foodborne Illness
• Personal Hygiene, Sanitation, Pest control
• Emergency Response

Fees

• One Day Course: $55.00 per person (tax included) - Course exam is included. Please check offered dates.
• Exam-only sessions: $16.50 (tax included) - Please check offered dates.
• Re-certification: $16.50 (tax included) - Please check offered dates.
• Re-issuing of a misplaced certificate: $16.00 (tax included)
• Non-Residents Fee: As per City of Ottawa policy, non-residents will be charged an additional 25 % per person
• Withdrawals/Credits: - For withdrawals or a credit on your account visit a City of Ottawa Client Service Centre. Please be advisesd, course fees are non refundable and non transferable to other participants.

Alert: Candidates that would like to challenge the Food Handler Certification Exam must show proof of completion from one of the criteria listed below, within the last year:

• City of Ottawa: Food Handler Course - Re-challenging the exam
• Food Safety Training - via: high school, college, university education
• TrainCan or Serve Safe
• National Food Safety Training Program

Re-certification

Ottawa Public Health offers re-certification to any of the following individuals:

• Those who were previously certified from any Ontario Public Health Unit;
• Those who have received a certification by an approved course by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care;
• Those who have been certified from any Public Health Agency from Canadian provinces and territories

Individuals meeting the above criteria may be eligible to challenge the food handler training exam. Proof of certification is required prior to re-challenging the exam. Individuals who are unable to provide satisfactory proof of certification will not be allowed to challenge the exam.

You have one calendar year from the day of your certification expiry date to re-challenge the exam. For example, if your certification expires on June 14, 2018, you can re-challenge the exam up to June 14, 2019.

If an individual meets the criteria to challenge the food handler training exam, you can attend any of the regularly scheduled Food Handler Certification Exam Only Sessions. Please follow the registration process listed below.

Registration process

1. Register online: You will need to enter the barcode or program code for the date you wish to attend. Have your credit card number and expiry date ready (Visa or MasterCard). You will need your Family PIN number and Client Barcode.
   If you require both Client Barcodes and Family PIN numbers, please call 613-580-2588, Monday to Friday 7 am to 7 pm (with the exception of statutory holidays) and follow the prompts.
2. Touch Tone Telephone: Call 613-580-2588. Please have your credit card number and expiry date ready (Visa or MasterCard). You will need your Family PIN number and Client Barcode. Receipts are available upon request.
3. In person: Visit a city of Ottawa Client Service Centre. Payments accepted by cash, cheque (made payable to the City of Ottawa), debit or credit card (Visa or MasterCard).

As Ottawa Public Health is sensitive to participants' wide range of learning styles, courses can be adapted to ensure accessibility for all prospective students. Please contact us if you have any questions about the course: 613-580-6744 or email us at foodhandlercertifica@ottawa.ca.

Schedule and program codes