When is Level 3 food hygiene worth it?
Level 3 is often sold as "the one for managers". But plenty of managers don't need it, and some people who aren't called managers do. Here's how to tell.
The law asks for training that fits each person's job, not a particular certificate or level. As a guide: Level 3 is commonly recommended for people who are responsible for other people's food safety, such as supervisors, head chefs, kitchen managers, and owners who look after the food safety plan. If someone manages rotas and customers but doesn't oversee food, it probably isn't necessary.
What Level 3 adds
Level 2 teaches someone to keep their own work safe. Level 3 teaches them to keep the whole team's work safe. On top of the Level 2 basics, it covers how to supervise and train other staff, food law in more detail, and something called HACCP.
HACCP sounds complicated, but the idea is simple. It's a way of looking at every step your food goes through, from delivery to the customer's plate, spotting where something could go wrong, and putting a check in place at each of those points. The free Safer Food, Better Business pack is built on the same idea.
It's a bigger course. Virtual College's Level 3, for example, takes eight to nine hours, with a 60-question test.
Who is Level 3 suitable for?
Swipe sideways to see the whole table.
| Role | Is Level 3 suitable? |
|---|---|
| Head chef who runs the kitchen and trains staff | ✓Recommended |
| Owner or manager who looks after the food safety plan | ✓Recommended |
| Supervisor who oversees a shift of food handlers | ✓Worth considering |
| Chef in a small café who follows the owner's plan | ✗Level 2 is usually fine |
| Front-of-house or bar manager who doesn't oversee food | ✗Level 2 or Level 1 is usually fine |
| Pub owner who leaves the kitchen to a head chef | ?The head chef needs it more |
Isn't Level 3 a legal must for managers?
No. The law says people should be trained to fit their job, and that whoever looks after your food safety plan needs adequate training in how it works. It doesn't name Level 3. Some providers say every food business should have at least one person with Level 3. That's sensible advice, especially for bigger kitchens, but it's advice, not law.
How much does a Level 3 course cost?
Online Level 3 courses cost about £107 to £168 including VAT and take 8 to 10 hours. A regulated qualification, the Highfield Level 3 Award in Food Safety for Catering (RQF), usually means three days with a tutor and costs more. Only choose it if a contract, tender or employer specifically asks for one.
We've put four Level 3 courses side by side, with prices, tests and resits: Level 3 food hygiene courses compared.
How long does Level 3 last?
Like other food hygiene certificates, it doesn't legally expire. Most providers recommend a refresher every three years, so add it to your training records.
Not sure it's needed?
If the person mainly prepares food rather than supervising others, our guide to who Level 2 is for may be all you need. And our page on whether a certificate is legally required explains what the law asks.