Compare
Serving It Right vs FOODSAFE Level 1
| Serving It Right | FOODSAFE Level 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Topic | Liquor law, ID, intoxication, refusing service | Foodborne illness, storing, preparing and serving food, cleaning and sanitizing |
| Required by | BC liquor licence terms | BC’s Food Premises Regulation |
| Who | Licensees, managers and anyone who sells or serves liquor | Food service operators, plus at least one certified employee on site when the operator is away |
| Cost | Course free; exam $40 plus tax | $69 online (classroom prices vary by provider) |
| Pass mark | 80% | 70% |
| Valid for | 5 years | 5 years |
| Languages | English only | Online in English; distance exams in 10 languages |
Do you need both?
If you serve drinks, you need Serving It Right, whatever FOODSAFE says. FOODSAFE is legally required of the food service operator and, when they’re away, of at least one employee on site, but employers often ask every cook and server to have it. FOODSAFE Level 1 suits cooks, servers, bussers, dishwashers and deli staff.
FOODSAFE is also a Province of BC program, run by the BC FOODSAFE Secretariat with the BC Centre for Disease Control and the regional health authorities. There’s a shorter Level 1 Refresher, open only while your Level 1 is still valid.
Questions people ask
+Is FOODSAFE the same as Serving It Right?
No. FOODSAFE is food safety training; Serving It Right is responsible alcohol service. They’re separate courses, exams and certificates.
+How long does FOODSAFE Level 1 last?
5 years from the issue date, the same as Serving It Right.
+Do servers need FOODSAFE?
The regulation requires it of the operator and of at least one employee present when the operator is away. Many employers ask servers to have it anyway.
Sources
- FOODSAFE Level 1 (foodsafe.ca, Province of British Columbia) · checked October 26, 2026
- FOODSAFE help and FAQs (foodsafe.ca) · checked October 26, 2026
- Food Premises Regulation, B.C. Reg. 210/99, s. 10 (BC Laws) · checked October 26, 2026
- Serving It Right FAQs (responsibleservicebc.gov.bc.ca) · checked October 26, 2026
- Liquor Primary Licence Terms and Conditions handbook, May 2026 (LCRB, PDF) · checked October 26, 2026
Updated October 26, 2026. Not affiliated with the Government of British Columbia, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch or the Serving It Right program.
Keep going
- The Serving It Right certificateHow to get your BC Serving It Right certificate: who needs it, the $40 exam, how long it lasts (5 years), printing a lost certificate and renewing.
- Serving It Right for serversWhat BC servers need to know: when Serving It Right is required, minors serving at 16, Bring Your Own Wine, sealing wine, the half-hour rule and cutting people off.
- Serving It Right practice testFree Serving It Right practice test for BC: 35 questions like the real exam, 80% to pass, every answer explained with the BC rule behind it.