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Who must attain WSQ FSC Level 1 certification?
All Food Handlers, whether working in retail or non-retail food establishments licensed by SFA, must attain WSQ FSC Level 1. Training and certification are provided by approved training providers.
Retail food establishments include hawker stalls, food stalls at canteens, and restaurants. Non-retail food establishments include food manufacturers and food processing plants.
A Food Handler is defined as any person who handles and prepares food and beverages within food establishments licensed by SFA. To learn more about Food Handlers, see Requirements for Food Handlers.
SFA, together with SSG, has harmonised the training curriculum and assessment for both retail and non-retail food businesses, in aligning them with the refreshed SSG Skills Framework (SFw) for Food Services.
Is it a one-time certification?
Food Handlers who have attained WSQ FSC Level 1 certification are permitted to engage in food handling activities for up to 5 years.
They are required to attend retraining to continue handling and preparing food within 5 years and subsequently every 10 years as shown in the table below.
Retraining ensures Food Handlers continue to practise good hygiene.
| Retraining | Compliance |
|---|---|
| 1st retraining | Within 5 years from the date of initially passing the WSQ FSC Level 1 |
| 2nd and subsequent retrainings | Within 10 years from the date of passing the previous retraining |
If a Food Handler obtained his FSC L1 certification on 1 August 2025, he must attend and pass his 1st retraining within 5 years by 31 July 2030. Thereafter, his 2nd and subsequent retrainings must be completed within 10 years from the date of passing the previous retraining.
What if the validity of my Food Handler’s WSQ FSC Level 1 certification has passed?
Food handlers are not allowed to handle or prepare food if they missed the timeline for retraining.
To continue engaging in food handling activities, they must attend and pass any of the available training options. After they have done so, the next retraining must be completed within 10 years from the date of passing.
What are the training options available?
| Training Option | Duration |
|---|---|
| WSQ FSC Level 1 (FSC L1) | 6 hours of training + 1.5-hour assessment |
| WSQ FSC L1 (Refresher) | 3 hours of training + 1.5-hour assessment |
| WSQ FSC L1 (Assessment Only Pathway) for participants to undergo the assessment without attending training | 1.5-hour assessment |
| WSQ FSC Level 2 (FSC L2) | 6 hours of training + 1.5-hour assessment |
Upon successful completion of the assessment for any of the training options, participants will be awarded a Statement of Attainment (SOA) by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).
Who provides the training and certification?
Training and certification are provided by training providers approved by SSG. To enroll, contact a training provider listed on SSG-approved training providers for FSC Level 1.
Food Handlers must be trained and certified only at SSG-approved training providers.
How much does training and certification cost?
To find out the cost of training and certification, contact the SSG-approved training providers listed above.
Are previously attained food safety certifications recognised?
- Certifications under the F&B WSQ system
The following food safety certifications are recognised:- WSQ FSC Level 1 (previously known as the WSQ Follow Food & Beverage Safety and Hygiene Policies and Procedures / Basic Food Hygiene Course)
- WSQ FSC Level 1 (previously known as the WSQ Follow Food & Beverage Safety and Hygiene Policies and Procedures / Basic Food Hygiene Course)
- Institute of Technical Education (ITE) refresher certifications
SFA continues to recognise the Refresher Food Hygiene Course certificate awarded by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), issued between October 2010 and June 2014.
Food Handlers holding the ITE Refresher Food Hygiene Course certificate are required to attend subsequent retraining 10 years from the date that the ITE certificate was awarded.
For more information
You can contact us via the SFA Online Feedback Form.
Last Updated 28 Oct 2025
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