# Serving It Right vs FOODSAFE Level 1

> Serving It Right and FOODSAFE Level 1 are different BC certificates: one for serving alcohol, one for food safety. Who needs each, cost, exam and how long they last.

Canonical: https://servingitrighttest.ca/vs/serving-it-right-vs-foodsafe
Last updated: 2026-10-26

Restaurant jobs in BC often ask for both, so they get mixed up. Serving It Right is about serving alcohol responsibly; FOODSAFE is about handling food safely. Neither replaces the other.

*From responsibleservicebc.gov.bc.ca, foodsafe.ca and BC Laws, checked October 26, 2026.*
|  | 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)](https://www.foodsafe.ca/courses/level-1.html) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [FOODSAFE help and FAQs (foodsafe.ca)](https://www.foodsafe.ca/faq.html) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Food Premises Regulation, B.C. Reg. 210/99, s. 10 (BC Laws)](https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/210_99) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Serving It Right FAQs (responsibleservicebc.gov.bc.ca)](https://www.responsibleservicebc.gov.bc.ca/support/serving-it-right-faqs) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Liquor Primary Licence Terms and Conditions handbook, May 2026 (LCRB, PDF)](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/employment-business-and-economic-development/business-management/liquor-regulation-licensing/guides-and-manuals/liquorprimary-handbook.pdf) (checked 2026-10-26)

Not affiliated with the Government of British Columbia, the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch or the Serving It Right program.

## Related

- [The Serving It Right certificate](https://servingitrighttest.ca/serving-it-right-certificate)
- [Serving It Right for servers](https://servingitrighttest.ca/for/servers)
- [Serving It Right practice test](https://servingitrighttest.ca/serving-it-right-practice-test)