Can You Get a Food Handlers Card for Free?

Food safety is serious business.

For this reason, many states and local health departments require that anyone working with food at a food establishment like a restaurant or place that serves food like a school or healthcare receive food safety training and earn a food handlers card.

However, you might wonder whether this food safety training comes at a cost.

This article explains whether you can get a food handlers card for free and discusses the benefits of investing in valid food handler training.

Free food handler card options

Earning a food handlers card usually involves taking a food safety course and passing a test over the content.

These courses cover essential food safety principles, including proper personal hygiene, how to avoid cross-contamination and cross-contact, and how to keep time-temperature control for safety food safe, among other topics.

Most food handler training courses cost money to enroll but there are some free options.

For example, the Indian Health Service (IHS) offers a free online food handler training course. It’s designed for food workers who need the training to handle and prepare foods on tribal lands.

Another free options is offered by the Hawaii Department of Health. However, the food handler training course is only offered in person for residents of the state.

Beyond these two examples, most food handler training courses require a small fee to enroll and earn a food handlers card.

Comparing free vs. paid food handler training

While there are some free food handler training course options available, they have significant limitations.

IHS’s food handler training, for example, is designed to meet the food safety training requirements of retail food establishments on tribal lands.

While some non-tribal places may accept the training, it usually isn’t recognized in states, local health departments, or employers that require a food handlers card.

The limitation with Hawaii and other areas that might offer free food handler training courses is that you must live near where they offer the training since it’s usually in person only.

Therefore, the main limitations with free food handler training options is that they either are unlikely to be accepted by health departments or employers or you must live near where the training is offered to attend in person.

Conversely, paid food handler training is most likely to be accepted by your health department — as long as it is ANSI-National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accredited — and you can complete it online from anywhere and any device.

The cost to enroll in these food handler training courses is low, usually around $10 to $15.

The benefits of investing in valid food handler training

Enrolling in a paid food handler course to earn your food handlers card is the best way to ensure the card is valid and accepted where you work, while also providing the convenience of being able to complete it online.

However, it’s best to ensure that the paid food handler training holds ANAB accreditation. Courses that hold this accreditation like FoodSafePal Food Handler training are accepted by nearly every state and health department where training is required.

And even if where you live doesn’t require food handler training, your employer may, and they too usually only accepted ANAB-accredited food handler cards.

The cost to enroll in an ANAB-accredited food handler training course usually ranges between $10 and $15.

While this may seem like an unnecessary burden to some, the cost can usually be covered with just one hours’ work at your gig. And, if you consider that the training is good for three years in most places, the long-term cost decreases even further.

You can think of food handler training as a necessary skill or license that you must have to work at a food establishment. The same is true for those who require the training to operate a cottage or homemade food business.

Plus, by choosing an ANAB-accredited food handler course like FoodSafePal’s, you’re guaranteed that both the course — and the people making up the organization offering it — are credible and competent and that their results can be relied upon.

How to enroll in FoodSafePal’s food handler training

Whether you need a food handlers card for a new gig or to operate a homemade food business, FoodSafePal’s Food Handler training course is a great option.

It is ANAB-accredited and you can learn and test in under two hours — completely online.

Because it’s ANAB-accredited, your health department or employer will accept it everywhere we offer it.

After you complete the course, you must pass the test to earn your food handlers card. If you don’t pass the first time, you can review the course and retake it — for free.

After you pass, you can immediately download or print your food handlers card and certificate.

Except in Texas where it’s good for two years, your food handlers card and certificate will be good for three years.

If where you live or work requires food handler training, you must renew it before it expires by retaking the course and passing the test.

FoodSafePal’s Food Handler training costs $15 to enroll, but if you use code “FIVE” at checkout, you can earn your food handlers card for just $10.

The bottom line

Food safety training is a crucial requirement for anyone working in food service.

While some free options exist, such as those offered by IHS or the Hawaii Department of Health, these are often limited by geographic location or are not widely accepted.

In contrast, paid food handler courses like FoodSafePal’s provide universally recognized, ANAB-accredited training online, ensuring validity and broader acceptance.

With a modest fee and the convenience of online accessibility, investing in a credible food handler course not only complies with regulations but also enhances professional credibility in the food industry.

(Don’t forget to use code “FIVE” at checkout to earn your food handlers card for just $10).