Are All Food Handlers Cards the Same?

You need to earn a food handlers card, so you turn to Google.

But after searching, you realize there are many companies to choose from, which begs the question — are all food handler cards the same?

This article discusses whether all food handlers cards are the same, and how to make sure you earn the right food handler card for your job.

What is a food handlers card?

You earn a food handlers card — also known as a certificate — upon completing a course on basic food safety principles and passing a test.

Unsafe food handling by food workers is a leading cause of foodborne illnesses or food poisoning.

To prevent foodborne illnesses, many states and counties require people to take a food handler course and earn a food handlers card to work at a food establishment.

Even in places where there are no state or local laws, many employers have a strong commitment to food safety and still require food handler training of their staff.

Food handler course cover essential food safety topics like:

how food hazards occur and spread
good personal hygiene
time and temperature controls
cross-contamination prevention
food allergies and cross-contact prevention
cleaning and sanitizing procedures

Unless you live in California, your employeer isn’t required to pay for your food handlers card since you can use it to work at other food establishments, but many still cover the costs.

Summary

A food handlers card or certificate proves that you have completed a course on important food safety topics and passed a test that covers these topics.

Why not all food handler cards are the same

There are dozens of companies from which you can earn a food handlers card or certificate, but because they are not all the same, you can’t earn one from anywhere.

Food handler card can be grouped into three general categories:

ANAB-accredited. Because the training to earn these food handler cards has undergone a rigorous third-party review to examine both the course and organization offering it against established national standards, most places accept them.
Issued or approved by the state or county. Some states and counties only accept food handler cards that they offer or approve and don’t recognize any other food handler cards. Some of these areas require you to pay a conversion fee or health department fee to be issued a state or county-specific food handler card.
State issued. Of the states that require a food handlers card to work at a food establishment, a select few — Washington and Alaska — only accept food handler cards they issue.

There are also companies that claim to offer food handler training, but the training isn’t accredited and therefore won’t be accepted in most — if any — places.

Here’s a quick overview of which category you might fall into based on where you work:

Required Food Handler Card Type	Where you work
ANAB-Accredited	• Arizona • Hawaii • Illinois • New Mexico • South Carolina • Texas • West Virginia
Issued or approved by the state or county	• Jefferson and Mobile Counties (Alabama) • Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties (California) • Leavenworth (Kansas) • Lenawee County (Michigan) • Sanders County (Montana) • Lincoln-Lancaster County (Nebraska) • Clark County (Nevada) • Orleans and Livingston Counties, and New York City (New York) • Bottineau, Burkey, McHenry, McLean, Renville, Sheridan, Ward, Grant, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, and Sioux counties (North Dakota) • Norman, Moore, Tulsa (Oklahoma) • Oregon • Utah
State issued	• Alaska • Washington

Food Handler Card Types

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Summary

All food handler cards are not the same. Food handler cards may be ANAB-accredited, issued or approved by certain states or counties, or issued by some states. Where you work will depend on the type of food handler card you need.

How to earn a food handlers cards

You can easily earn your food handlers card in just a few steps.

First, enroll in a food handler course that your state, local health department, or employer accepts.

Most places accept food handler courses accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), but some places only accept food handler cards issued by the health department or state directly.

The second step is to complete all the course lessons.

Take notes as you need to so you can pass the test at the end — the third and final step.

FoodSafePal’s food handlers test consists of 40 questions, and you need to answer at least 28 (70%) correctly to pass.

If you don’t pass the first time, you can review the content and retake the test for free.

If you need practice before the real deal, try taking a free food handlers practice test.

After you earn your food handlers card, make sure to print a copy for yourself and your manager.

Your manager might allow you to email your card if you don’t have access to a printer.

Remember that your food handler card belongs to you and not your employeer, so it follows you if you change jobs or allows you to work at two food establishments concurrently.

However, to keep it active, you must regularly renew it — usually every two to three years.

Summary

To earn your food handlers card, enroll in an approved food handler training course, complete the course lessons, and pass the test. Make sure your manager gets a copy of your food handlers card to keep on record.