Alabama Food Handler Card: A Comprehensive Guide

A food handler card — also known as a food handler certificate or license — proves that you have taken and passed a course on important food safety principles.

Owing to the importance of safe food handling practices for the prevention and spread of foodborne illnesses, many states and counties require foodservice workers to earn a food handler card.

However, you may wonder whether Alabama or any of its counties require you to earn a food handler card.

This article explains everything you need to know about an Alabama food handler card, including whether you need one, how to earn one, and more.

Do you need a food handler card in Alabama?

While Alabama doesn’t require foodservice workers to earn a food handler card, two of its counties do.

Both Mobile and Jefferson counties require all food workers to complete and pass a food handler training course to earn a food handler card.

However, even if you don’t work in Mobile or Jefferson county, your employer may still require you to earn a food handler card.

Many foodservice establishments like restaurants, schools, delis, and bars require food handler training for their employees since unsafe food handling practices are a leading cause of foodborne illnesses.

Healthcare facilities like hospitals or nursing homes may also require food handler training since they serve a population highly susceptible to developing foodborne illnesses and experiencing severe symptoms as a result.

If you are searching for a job in foodservice, earning your food handler card — even if it’s not required where you live or work — can make it easier to land a job or even negotiate a higher starting salary.

Some places require a food handler card before you start your job, while others require it within certain number of days of employment.

How do you get an Alabama food handler card?

Earning an Alabama food handler card is simple process that you can usually complete in two hours or less.

To get started, enroll with an online training provider such as FoodSafePal.

After enrollment, complete the course lessons, which cover essential food safety topics, including:

• time and temperature controls for food safety
• good personal hygiene
• food contamination prevention
• cleaning and sanitizing procedures

Pay attention as you progress through the course, taking notes as needed, so you can pass the final assessment to earn your food handler card.

The number of questions and the minimum passing score varies by the organization offering the training.

You must pass the assessment to earn your food handler card, but if you don’t pass the first time, most organizations allow one free retake.

If you live in Mobile or Jefferson counties, you must take a food handler training course offered by the health department, which you can do in-person or online (1, 2).

The cost to enroll in the approved online course is $23 for Mobile county, and $20 for Jefferson county.

How long does an Alabama food handler card last?

An Alabama food handler card usually expires three years from the date of issuance.

However, a Jefferson county food handler card is valid for two years, while a Mobile county food handler card is valid for just one year.

When your food handler card is close to its expiration date, you must renew it by retaking a food handler training program.

If you live in Jefferson or Mobile county, make sure you enroll in the course offered by the health department.

In Jefferson and Mobile counties, health inspectors may ask to see proof of your food handler card to make sure it’s valid and active, so always keep it on you and provide your manager with a copy.

Most online food handler training programs issue food handler cards as a PDF, making it easy to print or email a copy to your manager.

If you lose your food handler card, you can redownload it from the website on which you earned it or contact the issuing organization to request another copy.

The bottom line

Alabama doesn’t require a food handler card to work in foodservice, but two of its counties — Jefferson and Mobile — do.

Even if you don’t live in Jefferson or Mobile county, your employer may still require you to earn a food handler card.

To earn a Jefferson or Mobile county food handler card, enroll in course offered by the health department.

Otherwise, you can enroll with any valid online food handler training provider, such as FoodSafePal.

An Alabama food handler card usually expires in three years, but you must renew your card every two years if you live in Jefferson county, and one year if you live in Mobile county.