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Become an instructor

British Columbia’s health authorities are responsible for certifying and monitoring FOODSAFE and MarketSafe instructors in each region of the province. In addition to reviewing your application form, your health authority may interview you as part of the application process.

Here are the qualifications to instruct each course.

To teach FOODSAFE Level 1, you must meet all of these requirements:

  • Completion of FOODSAFE Level 1 and Level 2 with a final mark of at least 90% in each
  • 200 hours of teaching and/or facilitating experience (if you have extensive training in and knowledge of food safety, the health authority may waive this requirement)
  • A thorough understanding of the content of the FOODSAFE Level 1 course and a demonstrated ability to respond appropriately to questions that might arise from the content
  • Completion of at least one post-secondary level course in food safety, food science, or microbiology (this includes Introduction to Food Microbiology)
  • Hands-on experience in applying food safety principles in the food service industry

FOODSAFE Application form (PDF)


To teach FOODSAFE Level 2 you must meet all of these requirements:

  • Completion of FOODSAFE Level 1 and Level 2 with a final mark of at least 90% in each
  • 500 hours of teaching and/or facilitating experience in an adult learning environment (if you have extensive training in and knowledge of food safety, the health authority may waive this requirement)
  • A thorough understanding of the content of the FOODSAFE Level 1 and Level 2 courses, and a demonstrated ability to respond appropriately to questions that might arise from the content, as shown in an interview conducted by the regional health authority
  • Completion of at least one post-secondary level course in food safety, food science, or microbiology (this includes Introduction to Food Microbiology)
  • Hands-on experience in applying food safety principles in the food service industry

FOODSAFE Application form (PDF)


To teach MarketSafe, you must meet all of these requirements:

  • Teaching/facilitating experience
  • A thorough grounding in current practice in food safety, food science, or microbiology
  • Experience in selling food at temporary markets as a vendor, market manager, market volunteer, or health inspector
  • Completion of the MarketSafe for Potential Instructors course [link to OSBC MarketSafe potential instructor course page] with an exam mark of at least 90%
  • A thorough understanding of the MarketSafe course content.

Marketsafe Application form (PDF)


Level 1 certification

All certified instructors for FOODSAFE Level 1 and Level 2 must keep their FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate valid and recertify every five years with a mark of at least 90%.


Outside BC?

If you live outside of British Columbia and are interested in becoming a certified FOODSAFE instructor, contact HLTH.FOODSAFE@gov.bc.ca for more information.

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Health authorities