Do You Need a Food Handlers Card to Work at Chick-fil-A?

Chick-fil-A does not issue a food handler card. Whether you need one depends on the state and county your restaurant is in.

If you work as a kitchen, back-of-house, or other team member who handles food, utensils, equipment, or food-contact surfaces, you may be required to complete food handler training. Front-of-house team members can also be covered depending on their duties.

Some states allow you to complete the requirement after you are hired, while others use their own food worker card or training program.

This article explains where Chick-fil-A employees need food handler training, how to get a card, and when food manager certification may apply instead.

Where Chick-fil-A employees need a food handler card

Food handler requirements are set by state and local governments rather than Chick-fil-A nationally.

The following states have statewide food handler training or card requirements that can apply to Chick-fil-A restaurants:

• Alaska — food workers must obtain Alaska’s state-issued card within 30 days of hire. No other food handler certificate issuer is accepted, including FoodSafePal.
• California — covered food handlers must obtain an ANAB accredited card within 30 days of hire, although some counties like San Diego have separate requirements.
• Florida — restaurant employees must complete approved food safety training within 60 days of employment through a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)-approved program. FoodSafePal’s food handler training is not DBPR-approved.
• Hawaii — at least one employee with ANAB accredited or state approved food handler certification must be present during operating hours.
• Illinois — restaurant food handlers must complete approved training within 30 days of employment.
• New Mexico — food handlers must obtain an ANAB accredited food handler card.
• Oregon — food service workers must obtain an Oregon-approved food handler card within 30 days of starting work.
• South Carolina — a person in charge with food handler certification or qualifying food manager certification must be on duty during operation.
• Texas — food employees must complete ANAB accredited or state approved food handler training within 30 days of employment.
• Utah — food handlers must complete approved training shortly after hire and receive an official permit from the local health department.
• Washington — food workers must obtain Washington’s state food worker card. New employees can work for up to 14 days with employer-provided food safety training while obtaining the card.

A state without a statewide requirement can still have county or city requirements. For example, food handler requirements in West Virginia are handled through local health departments, while certain counties in Nevada and New York have food hander training requirements.

What Chick-fil-A managers typically ask for

Most Chick-fil-A restaurants are independently owned and operated, so hiring and onboarding requirements vary by location.

Current Chick-fil-A job postings show this in practice. A Dallas restaurant requires team members to obtain food handler certification within 14 days of starting, while a Los Angeles restaurant requires food prep team members to obtain a California Food Handler Card within 30 days of hire.

You therefore may not need a food handler card before applying or interviewing. The restaurant may give you time after you are hired to complete the requirement.

Still, getting the card beforehand can still be useful if you know the credential is accepted where you plan to work. You can list it on your application, mention it during your interview, and begin the job with basic food safety training already completed.

How to get your food handler card before your first shift

Start by checking the requirements where your Chick-fil-A is located.

Then, you can enroll in an accepted food handler course, complete the training and test, and download or print your card or certificate.

FoodSafePal’s food handler training can be completed online in about 90 minutes. The standard course starts at $15, and your digital card and certificate are available immediately after you pass.

Some states and counties use their own programs or require specific approved providers. Alaska and Washington issue their own food worker cards, Oregon requires an Oregon-approved provider, and Florida restaurant employees must use training approved by the Florida DBPR.

If you’re a manager or shift lead at Chick-fil-A

If you’re applying for a shift leader, restaurant manager, kitchen director, operations director, or another position with responsibility for food operations, you may also need Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification

Most states require at least one CFPM at most food establishments. The requirement usually applies to someone with supervisory and management responsibility over food preparation and service.

You earn CFPM certification by passing an exam from an ANAB-CFP accredited certification program. Training is recommended and may also be required by certain states.

FoodSafePal’s food manager certification exam is ANAB-CFP accredited and can be taken online from any private, quiet environment with a live human proctor.

Ohio handles food safety certification somewhat differently. Most food establishments need someone with Ohio Person in Charge certification on duty, while higher-risk establishments also require Ohio Manager Certification.

Frequently asked questions

Does Chick-fil-A pay for your food handler card?

It depends on the restaurant and the state. Chick-fil-A does not have one nationwide reimbursement policy because most restaurants are operated by independent franchise operators.

Some states establish their own rules. California, for example, requires employers to cover the necessary cost of required food handler training and compensate employees for the time spent completing it.

Can I use any accredited food handler provider?

No. Always check the requirements where you work.

States such as Texas and Illinois accept qualifying accredited programs, while Florida restaurants require DBPR-approved training. Oregon requires an Oregon-approved provider, and Alaska and Washington use their own food worker card programs.

How often do I need to renew my food handler card?

Renewal depends on where you work. Many food handler cards are valid for two or three years, while some state or local programs use different renewal periods.

Check the expiration date on your card and your state’s requirements before it expires.

The bottom line

You may need a food handler card to work at Chick-fil-A depending on your location and job duties.

Kitchen and back of house team members are the most likely to fall under food handler requirements, although front of house employees may also be covered. Some states let you complete the training after you are hired, and others require their own state or locally approved program.

If you want to get your card before applying or starting work, make sure the training is accepted where your Chick-fil-A is located.

And if you are applying for a management or leadership position, check whether you also need Certified Food Protection Manager certification.

If FoodSafePal is accepted where you work, you can earn your food handler card online in as little as 90 minutes. FoodSafePal also offers an ANAB-CFP accredited food manager certification exam that you can take online from any private, quiet environment.