What Is a Food Handler Certificate? Requirements, Cost & How to Get Trained
In this article
- What Is a Food Handler Certificate?
- Who Needs a Food Handler Certificate?
- How to Get a Food Handler Certificate
- How Much Does a Food Handler Certificate Cost?
- How Long Does a Food Handler Certificate Last?
- How to Renew a Food Handler Certificate
- Food Handler vs. Food Manager Certificate
- Food Handler Card State Requirements
- Get Your Food Handler Training From Learn2Serve by 360training
If you work in food service, you may be wondering: do I need a food handler card? The short answer is that it depends on your state, county, and employer, but many food service roles do require one.
This post covers what jobs typically require food handler training, food handler requirements by state, and what topics the training commonly includes so you know exactly what to expect.
Who Needs a Food Handler Certificate?
Whether a food handler card is required depends on your jurisdiction. Some states require all food service employees to hold a card, while others only mandate training for managers or supervisors. Individual employers may also require it regardless of local law. That said, many roles commonly require, or benefit from, a food handler certificate, including:
- Cooks and prep cooks
- Chefs and sous chefs
- Dishwashers
- Bakers and pastry staff
- Food runners and expediters
- Servers and waitstaff
- Bartenders
- Buffet attendants
- Catering staff
- Food truck operators
- Deli counter workers
- Hosts and hostesses
- Kitchen assistants
- Cashiers handling unpackaged food
- Butchers and fishmongers
- Other roles handling unpackaged food
Food Handler Card Requirements by State
Note : Food handler training requirements vary by state, county, city, and employer and may change over time. This table below provides a general overview of requirements and should not be considered legal or regulatory advice. Always verify current requirements with your local health department or applicable regulatory authority before enrolling in training.
| State | Requirement Summary |
| Alabama | Jefferson/Mobile County: All food service employees need a license. Elsewhere: Only one manager needs food manager training. |
| Alaska | Food worker card within 30 days of being hired. In Anchorage: card within three weeks. |
| Arizona | Regulations vary by county. |
| Arkansas | Only one supervisor must pass an accredited food manager training program. |
| California | California Food Handler Card (CFH) within 30 days of being hired for most counties. San Bernardino, San Diego, and Riverside counties have separate county-specific requirements. |
| Colorado | No state requirement for a food handler permit. One manager must pass an ANSI-accredited food protection program. |
| Connecticut | One manager/supervisor must become a Qualified Food Operator (QFO). |
| Delaware | One supervisor must become a food protection manager. |
| District of Columbia | No district-wide requirement for individual food handler cards; training is voluntary unless required by an employer. At least one supervisory employee per establishment must be a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). |
| Florida | Supervisors must become trained food managers. Other employees need a food handler license. |
| Georgia | A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) must always be on-site. |
| Hawaii | At least one person per shift must have completed food safety training. |
| Idaho | One CFPM on-site is recommended. Other employees are recommended to pass the Idaho Food Safety Exam. |
| Illinois | Employees who contact food need a permit. |
| Indiana | At least one employee must become a CFPM. |
| Iowa | The person in charge must pass a food safety test. |
| Kansas | No state laws. Check local requirements. |
| Kentucky | Check with the local health department. |
| Louisiana | One worker must become a certified food safety manager. |
| Maine | One owner/supervisor must earn a food manager's certificate every five years. |
| Maryland | Standards vary by location. Check with the local health department. |
| Massachusetts | One trained food safety manager required, plus one backup person trained in food safety. |
| Michigan | At least one food safety manager per restaurant. |
| Minnesota | One employee certified as a food safety manager. Renew every three years. |
| Mississippi | One full-time employee must pass a food safety manager exam. |
| Missouri | No state requirements. Check local laws. |
| Montana | One CFPM required. |
| Nebraska | Check with your county's health department. |
| Nevada | One CFPM must be on-site during business hours. Check local regulations. |
| New Hampshire | Check the requirements for self-inspecting counties. |
| New Jersey | CFPM required. Other team members might need food handler licenses, based on county. |
| New Mexico | Most employees who handle food must obtain a food handler card within 30 days of hire. Exceptions apply, including Certified Food Protection Managers (CFPMs), certain employees who do not handle Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods, newly hired employees during their first 30 days, temporary or occasional workers, volunteers, and some charitable organization staff. One supervisor must be a CFPM. |
| New York | Requirements vary by location. |
| North Carolina | At least one person in charge must become a CFPM. |
| North Dakota | Some areas require food handler licenses. Check with local health departments. |
| Ohio | Two levels of employee training required. Contact the local health department for specifics. |
| Oklahoma | Requirements vary by city. |
| Oregon | Employees must get a food handler license within 30 days. |
| Pennsylvania | At least one employee per shift must be 'person-in-charge' and pass an accredited exam. |
| Rhode Island | One supervisor must pass an 8-hour program. If over ten employees, two certified food safety managers needed. |
| South Carolina | The Person in Charge (PIC) must either hold a food handler certificate or be a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). |
| South Dakota | At least one manager must be a certified food service manager. |
| Tennessee | One certified food protection manager required, with some exceptions. |
| Texas | All food service employees need a food handler card. One supervisor must be trained as a food safety manager. |
| Utah | Food service workers must complete an approved food handler training program within 14 days of hire and obtain a food handler permit within 30 days. |
| Vermont | One supervisor must pass an accredited exam or demonstrate knowledge during inspection. |
| Virginia | All establishments need a manager trained in an accredited program. Other employees may need licenses depending on location. |
| Washington | All food-handling employees need a food handler card valid for two years. |
| West Virginia | Check local health department guidelines. |
| Wisconsin | One certified food safety manager required. |
| Wyoming | One certified food protection manager required. Check with local health department for specifics. |
Renewal Requirements
Most food handler cards expire after one to three years and must be renewed by completing an approved training course and passing an exam.
For a full walkthrough of the renewal process, see our detailed guide: How to Renew Your Food Handler Card .
Why Food Handler Training Matters
The CDC estimates that one in six Americans gets sick from contaminated food or beverages each year. Food handler training is one of the most effective ways to reduce that risk. For businesses, having trained staff isn't just about compliance. It's about protecting customers, managing liability, and maintaining a trustworthy reputation. Training helps to:
- Protect customers from foodborne illness
- Reduce the risk of contamination and outbreaks
- Support compliance and inspection readiness
- Reduce business liability and reputational damage
What Topics Are Covered in Food Handler Training?
Food handler training programs typically cover the core knowledge needed to handle food safely on the job, including:
- Foodborne illness prevention
- Time and temperature control
- Personal hygiene
- Cross-contamination prevention
- Cleaning and sanitizing
What Happens if You Don't Have a Food Handler Card?
Operating without a required food handler card can have real consequences for both employees and employers:
- Fines and failed inspections for establishments found non-compliant
- Possible temporary or permanent closure in cases of severe non-compliance
- Limited employment opportunities, as many employers require a valid card to hire
- Reputational damage if a foodborne illness outbreak is linked to the establishment
Get Your Food Handler Training from Learn2Serve by 360training
Getting certified is easier than ever with online training you can complete on your own schedule. Learn2Serve by 360training offers state-approved food handler and food safety manager courses designed to meet local requirements across the country.
Ready to get started? If you'd rather use one course that's accepted across most jurisdictions instead of hunting down a state-specific option, our national food handler training online is ANAB-accredited and built to meet local requirements nationwide. If you're a supervisor or manager, check out our Food Safety Manager Training. You can also explore our food handler coverage map to find courses approved for your specific state or county.
