Food Handler Card vs. Certificate: What’s the Difference?

If you work at a food establishment like a restaurant or a place that produces and serves food like a school or healthcare facility, you may have to take a food handler course.

A food handler course teaches you about important food safety principles so you know how to prevent foodborne illnesses or food poisoning.

At the end of the course, you must pass a test to earn a food handler card or certificate.

However, you might wonder whether a food handler card is the same as a certificate, and whether your employeer requires one over the other.

This article explains the difference between a food handler card and certificate, and how you can earn them by completing a food handler course.

Is there a difference between a food handlers card and certificate?

Except in certain areas, there are generally no differences between a food handlers card and certificate.

Both prove that you have completed the course and passed a test that assesses your knowledge over the food safety topics covered.

A food handlers certificate is simply a larger version of a food handlers card.

The certificate is large enough to hang on a wall, while a food handlers card is small enough to fit in a wallet or purse.

Certain places require that you have your food handler card with you while working, whereas other places just require your manager to keep a copy of the certificate on file.

Most food handler training courses — including FoodSafePal’s — issue both a food handlers card and certificate.

However, after taking an approved food handler course, some places like Leavenworth, Kansas, require that you bring your earned certificate or card to your health department or city hall to receive a county- or city-issued food handler card.

How to earn your food handlers card and certificate

Earning your food handler card and certificate is a quick and easy process that you can do online from anywhere.

Follow these steps:

1. Enroll in an approved course. Check with your state or local law to make sure you enroll in an approved course since not all food handler cards are the same. Most places only accept ANAB-accredited food handler training courses, like FoodSafePal’s.
2. Complete the course. You can usually complete a food handlers course in around 75 minutes.
3. Pass the test. Use what you learned from the course to pass the test. FoodSafePal’s test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 28 (70%) to pass.
4. Print your certificate and card. Print a copy for you and your employeer. Remember that some places require that you show proof of your training to be issued a county- or city-specific food handler card.

Most places require that you earn your food handlers card or certificate within 30 days of employment.

However, if you’re in the job market, you can put yourself above other candidates by completing it before you apply or have an interview.

Unless you live in California, your employeer isn’t required to pay for your food handler card or certificate since it belongs to you and you can use it to work at other jobs within the same county or state.

States that require ANAB-accredited food handler training transfer to other states with the same requirements.

States that require ANAB-accredited food handler training include:

• California
• Illinois
• West Virgina
• New Mexico
• Hawaii
• Texas
• South Carolina

However, other states and even many counties have different food handler training requirements that may not transfer to other locations.

Does a food handlers card or certificate expire?

Your food handlers card and certificate will generally be good for three years from the date you earn it.

However, it may only be good for two years in other places like Texas.

Before your food handlers card or certificate expires, you must renew it to keep it active.

Follow the same steps to renew your food handlers card or certificate as you did to earn it.

You can renew with the food handler training provider through which you first earned your food handlers card or certificate or choose a different ANAB-accredited or otherwise approved course.

The bottom line

Beyond size, there are no differences between a food handlers card and certificate — both prove that you have completed a food handler course.

To earn your food handlers card or certificate, enroll with a valid training provider like FoodSafePal, complete the course, and pass the test.

Save a copy of the card and certificate for yourself, and print or email a copy to your manager to keep on file.

Most food handler cards and certificates expire three years from the date you earn it, but you might need to renew sooner.