Can You Get a Food Handlers Card in One Day?
Sometimes you need a food handlers card and you need it fast.
If this is you, you might wonder whether you can knock out the training and have your card in hand by the end of the day.
This article breaks down whether you can get a food handlers card in one day, and the best way to earn one as fast as possible.
How long does it take to get a food handlers card?
A food handlers card proves that you have completed a course on important food safety principles and passed a test demonstrating your knowledge of these principles.
Food handler courses cover topics like:
- good personal hygiene
- handwashing and bare-hand contact
- time and temperature controls
- cleaning and sanitizing procedures
- cross-contamination prevention
- cross-contact prevention and food allergens
After you complete the course lessons, you must pass a test — usually consisting of 40 multiple-choice questions — to earn your food handlers card.
With most online food handler courses, you can learn and test in well under one day with most taking less than two hours to complete. You can then immediately print or download your food handlers card.
However, some places require that you bring your food handler card or certificate as proof of training to your local health department who will then issue you a county- or state-specific food handlers card.
This process could take longer than one day, depending on where you live.
Utah, for example, requires food handlers to take a state-approved course. Then, the course provider must notify Utah of the completion within seven days. Upon receiving this notification, Utah mails out a food handlers permit within 30 days.
Fortunately, Utah allows you to work with the food handlers card or certificate for up to 30 days, by which time you should have your permit.
Other places like Leavenworth, Kansas, work similar in that you must bring proof of completion of an approved food handler card and pay a fee to be issued one by your county or state, which you can still likely do in one day, assuming it’s not the weekend or a holiday when the health departments are closed.
Whether you can earn a food handlers card in one day also depends on if opt to earn your food handlers card in-person — if available in your area — rather than online.
In-person classes — even if the length is similar to online courses — require scheduling ahead of time or are only taught specific days each month.
.Some in-person courses also require a minimum number of enrollments to be held, and if that minimum number isn’t reached, the course can be cancelled.
So, in-person classes are not a good bet if you need to earn your food handler card in one day.
Summary
You can easily complete an online food handler course and earn your food handlers card in under one day — you usually just need less than two hours. But, earning your food handlers card in under one day might not be possible depending on where you live. This may also be true if you prefer in-person learning, since these classes are only available certain days.
How to earn a food handler card as quickly as possible
Earning your food handlers card online is the fastest and most convenient way.
To get started, enroll in a course that your state, county, or employer approves.
Most places only accept ANSI-National Accreditation Board (ANAB)-accredited food handler courses, while other courses require state or county approval to be deemed valid.
Earn Your Food Handler Card + Certificate Fast & Easily
Guaranteed to be approved by your health department
For example, many North Dakota and New York counties only accept courses that the health department individually approves. The same is true for some states like Utah.
Other states — namely Washington and Alaska — only accept food handler cards they issue.
After enrolling, complete the course content, and then pass a test, which usually consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. You will need a 70% or 75% to pass.
If you don’t pass the first time, most courses allow you to retest for free.
Upon passing, you should be immediately issued a food handlers card or certificate that you can print, download, or email to your manager.
The food handler card you earn belongs to you, not your employer. This means you can use it to work at other food establishments or other places that might require it like healthcare facilities without having to earn another.
If you earn a food handlers card and move to a different state, whether it transfers to the one you move to depends on the what that state or county accepts.
Those that are ANAB-accredited will transfer to other states that require or accept accredited food handler cards.
Summary
The fastest and most convenient way to earn your food handlers card is online. Make sure your state, county, or employer accepts the food handler course in which you enroll. While most places accept ANAB-accredited courses, others only accept training they offer.
The bottom line
Earning your food handlers card is something you can easily do in well under one day, and the best way to guarantee this is by earning it online rather than in-person.
However, the process might take longer if you have to go through your health department after earning your food handlers card.
In either case, make sure that your state or local health department or employer accepts the course through which you enroll as not all food hander courses are created equal.
Earn Your Food Handler Card + Certificate Fast & Easily
Guaranteed to be approved by your health department
