Unsafe food handling is one of the most common reasons that foodborne illnesses occur and spread. To prevent foodborne illnesses and keep customers safe, many states, health departments, and employers require food workers to earn a food handler card. Doing so proves that you have successful completed a training program that covers essential food safety topics. However, food handler cards generally expire after three years — with some expiring sooner, depending on where and for whom you work. When your food handler card is near its expiration, you must renew it to keep it active and stay current on best food safety practices, but you might have questions about the process. This article provides detailed steps on how to renew your food handler card — fast and easily.
Here are these steps in detail:
The first step to renew is to find out when your food handler card or certificate expires.
All food handler cards — at least those that are issued by accredited organizations — will include an expiration date or a “valid through” date.
In most instances, your food handlers card will expire three years from the date you earn it.
However, in some places, like Texas, your food handler card expires two years from the date of issuance.
The second step is to determine whether the expiration date listed on your food handler card or certificate is the same as your health department’s or employer’s requirements.
In most cases, it should be, but some health departments and employers may require that you renew your food handler card or certificate sooner than the expiration date listed.
You can choose to renew with the organization from which you first earned your food handler card or certificate, or choose to renew with a different organization.
If you choose to renew with a different organization, make sure they meet your health department’s or employer’s requirements.
For example, some states and employers only accept food handler cards from ANSI-ANAB-accredited providers, while some health departments only accept food handler cards that they issue.
Earn Your Food Handler Card + Certificate Fast & Easily
Guaranteed to be approved by your health department
After enrolling, complete the course the course, and pass the test.
The final step is to provide your manager, and in some areas, your health department, with a copy of your food handler card or certificate to keep on file.
Depending on from whom you earn your food handler card, they may already provide your health department with proof of completion.
FoodSafePal, for example, notifies many health departments each month of who has completed the training so the learner doesn’t have to.
In other instances, you may have to bring your food handler card or certificate to your health department so they can convert it to a county-specific food handler card.
For example, after earning an approved food handler card, Leavenworth, Kansas, requires the learner to bring a copy of the food handler card to the City Hall to be issued a city-specific food handler card.
If you lose your food handler card, you can download or print another copy — usually for free — from the organization in which you earned it.
If your health department issued your food handler card, you will need to contact them.
Summary
Follow these four steps to renew your food handler card.
Renewing your food handler card keeps you current and fresh on important food safety principles so you can prevent foodborne illnesses and keep your customers safe.
To renew your food handler card, determine when it expires and validate the expiration date with your health department or employer.
Then, take and pass an approved food handler training course, and share a copy of your earned card or certificate with your manager or, if necessary, your health department.
Earn Your Food Handler Card + Certificate Fast & Easily
Guaranteed to be approved by your health department
Gavin Van De Walle holds a master's degree in human nutrition and food science. He is also a registered dietitian nutritionist who aims to make food safety intuitive and accessible for everyone.
