New York Food Handler Card Online

Food handler training is required in a few New York counties, including

• Westchester County
• Tioga County
• Livingston County
• Monroe County
• Chautauqua County

In many cases, those counties only accept certain training courses as valid. Check with your local county health office to find out where you can earn a valid food handler card.

In other parts of New York, food handler training is recommended. Some employers will require or prefer food handler certificate because it demonstrates a commitment to food safety practices and reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses, protecting both customers and the reputation of the establishment. 

A few counties in the state of New York require food handler training to work in food service. Outside of those jurisdictions, some employers may require it.

But even when it's not required, food handler training helps you learn how to prevent foodborne illnesses for the health of your customers. It can also protect the life of that business—many a restaurant has gone under after a food-poisoning incident.

And New York has its share of such incidents. In both 2016 and 2017, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 64 foodborne disease outbreaks in New York. That's up from the 51 outbreaks reported in 2015.

If you practice what you learn in food handler training, you can help ensure the number of outbreaks starts going back down.

In jurisdictions that require a food handler certificate, expirations are set locally. As a result, the answer varies. You'll need to ask your employer or local health authority to be sure what's required.

Generally speaking, food handler certificate usually needs to be renewed for 2-3 years. That kind of frequency is necessary to maintain your food safety knowledge.

In New York, you can use your food handler license at a number of businesses. Some examples include:

• Restaurants
• Eateries
• Coffee shops
• Food trucks
• Catering services
• Grocery stores
• Convenience stores

And within each establishment there are numerous jobs because the food and beverage industry in New York is growing.

According to the New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA), in 2019 there were 865,800 restaurant and food service jobs, which translates to 9% of total employment. More importantly, that number is projected to grow 5.6% by the year 2029.

If you’re looking to get a job in the food and beverage industry in New York, here are some good options, along with how much money you can expect to make based on wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

If you get your food handler card before you apply for any of these jobs, you’ll be way ahead of the competition!

New York State Department of Health: The DOH is responsible for protecting public health by regulating food service establishments. That includes foodborne outbreak investigations, regulation development, and providing assistance and guidance to local health authorities. You can find valuable food safety resources on their website.