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Food Safety for Food Handlers™ (Online)

What will this course give me?
How long does it take to complete the Food Safety online course?
How is the exam delivered?
What else do I need to know (as a student)?
How do I register for the Food Safety online course?
How do I get into the Food Safety online course?
How do I print my Food Safety Certificate after I finish the online course?
What kind of computer do I need to take Food Safety online?
My computer won't run the online Food Safety course, what should I do?
Can I take the Food Safety online course on a Vancouver Island University campus?
I've lost my Food Safety certificate, can I get another copy?
Who do I contact for more information?

What will this course give me?

This course is recognized by the British Columbia Food Handler's Training Courses Equivalency Committee as meeting the training requirements of Section 10 of the B.C. Food Premises regulation. It is equivalent to Foodsafe® Level 1, and meets the food handling training requirement as outlined in the BC Health Act: Food Premises Regulation, Part 3, Division 2 - Training, Foodsafe Training 10:

(1) Every operator of food premises must hold a certificate, issued by a health official, for the successful completion of the food handler training program known as FOODSAFE or its equivalent.

(2) Every operator of a food service establishment must ensure that, while the operator is absent from the food service establishment, at least one employee present in the establishment holds the certificate referred to in subsection (1).

How long does it take to complete the Food Safety online course?

The average time to complete the course is about 6 hours. The course must be completed within 30 days of beginning it and the final exam must be proctored (overseen) by an approved proctor. The 30 days will begin when you are issued your username and password.

How is the exam delivered?

The exam consists of 50 questions (80% pass) and may be repeated if at first you are not successful. The final exam is not available online. You may need to travel to the location of your proctor to complete the final exam and receive the official certificate. Proctors will be available at Vancouver Island University campuses in Nanaimo, Cowichan and Powell River through Student Services at an additional cost of $20(to be paid directly to Student Services via cash or cheque (credit card is not accepted). Please book testing appointments at least 2 weeks ahead of time. For other locations, check existing proctors in the province of B.C. or download this Proctor Application Form to arrange for your own proctor in your own community. Arrangements for a proctor at other locations may involve additional costs for which you will be responsible.

What else do I need to know (as a student)?

Student must have:

  • English skills grade 8 or higher

  • Independent study skills

  • Ability to travel to a proctor (or arrange for a proctor) as required

  • Basic computer skills

How do I get into the Food Safety online course?

Please provide your email address when you register so that we can set you up in the online classroom - instructions regarding course access, along with your Personal Login ID & Password - will be emailed to you.

How do I print my Food Safety Certificate after I finish the online course?

Log into the online course as usual (http://www.kccsoft.com/online/custom/viu.asp)

    1. Click Once on FOOD SAFETY FOR FOOD HANDLERS to highlight
    2. At the bottom of the screen - click on View History
    3. Again - click Once on FOOD SAFETY FOR FOOD HANDLERS to highlight
    4. Near the bottom of the screen - click on the Print Certificate button

What kind of computer do I need to take Food Safety online?

Hardware Requirements:

  • Pentium or faster PC computer with at least 32 mb RAM (course does not work on a Mac)

  • Audio capability recommended (speakers)

  • High speed internet (ADSL or cable modem)

  • 'Admin' rights on computer required on first run (i.e., you must have rights to install software on the computer you are using)

Software Requirements:

  • Internet Explorer web browser V5.0 or higher (Netscape, AOL, Firefox, Mozilla are not supported)

  • MS Windows 98 or higher

  • Authorware Web Player V7 (automatically installed when you first go onto course - select Yes or OK when prompted to install)

My computer won't run the online Food Safety course, what should I do?

If you are running Windows® Vista®, follow the steps outlined in this interactive troubleshooting tutorial. Note that your elearning login page will look slightly different that the elearning login page shown in the Installing the Authorware Web Player ActiveX Control section, but otherwise everything else should look the same.

If you are not running Windows Vista, or if you complete all the steps in the above tutorial and you still have problems, check out the troubleshooting steps on: http://www.kccsoft.com/technical.asp. This site includes solutions to common issues as well as contact information for more technical support (techsupport@kccsoft.com - 1-800-893-9333 or 604-465-5224)

Can I take the Food Safety online course on a Vancouver Island University campus?

  • VIU Nanaimo Campus Library (all computer stations available to students)
  • Building 180, Lab 248 (all stations)
  • Building 356, atrium

*If you are in Powell River, you can call the Powell River Campus at 604-485-2878 and book an appointment to do the WHMIS online course at the Powell River Campus

I've lost my Food Safety certificate, can I get another copy?

Yes - if you remember your login information for accessing your online Food Safety course, simply follow the Food Safety Online course access instructions.

If not, contact us and we will email your login and password to you.

Who do I contact for more information?

Email:alison.turley@viu.ca or julie.clarke@viu.ca
Toll-free: 1-877-888-8890 or 604-485-2878 (Powell River, BC)