Hawaii Food Handler Card: A Comprehensive Guide

A food handler card — also known as a food handler certificate, license, or permit — proves that you have completed a course on important food safety principles.

Owing to the importance of safe food handling to prevent foodborne illnesses, many states and local public health departments require food workers to earn a food handler card.

However, you may wonder whether Hawaii or any of its cities or islands require you to earn a food handler card.

This article explains everything you need to know about a Hawaii food card, including whether you need one, how to get one, and more.

Do you need a food handler card in Hawaii?

Hawaii requires that at least one food employee at every establishment earn a food handler card (1).

Examples of food establishments include:

• catering businesses
• food manufacturers
• hotels
• markets
• healthcare facilities
• mobile food trucks
• restaurants

While Hawaii requires just one employee to hold a food handler card, managers often require more employees to earn one in case of turnover or to better protect their customers from foodborne illnesses.

A Hawaii food handler card is valid everywhere across the state.

How do you get a Hawaii food handler card?

You can easily earn your Hawaii food handler card online in two hours or less.

First, you must enroll in a Hawaii-approved food handler training program — such as FoodSafePal’s — that covers essential food safety topics, including:

• food hazards
• personal hygiene and handwashing
• time and temperature controls
• cleaning and sanitizing
• food allergens and cross-contact

Hawaii only accepts food handler training programs accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

Alternatively, the Hawaii Department of Health offers a free 3-hour in-person food handler training class that meets the state’s requirements.

However, many people prefer online training over in-person for the convenience and the ability to stop and resume the course.

After you complete the course contents, you must take a test and earn a passing score to earn your food handler card.

For ANAB-accredited courses, the test usually consists of 40 questions with a passing score of 70% or higher.

The Hawaii Department of Health does not disclose the number of questions or what the minimum passing score is for their test.

How long does a Hawaii food handler card last?

A Hawaii food handler card is valid for three years.

This includes both courses that are ANAB-accredited and offered by the Hawaii Department of Health.

When your card is near the three-year mark, you must retake a Hawaii-approved food handler course to renew it.

Renewing your card every three years helps you stay current and fresh on important food safety practices.

Whether you’re earning a food handler card for the first time or renewing it, make sure to provide your manager with a copy so they can show health inspectors at their request that you’re current in your training.

Most ANAB-accredited food handler training programs issue cards or certificates as a PDF, making it easy to print or email.

If you lose your food handler card or certificate, you can redownload it from the online organization in which you earned it or contact them directly to request another copy.

If you earn your food handler certificate with the Hawaii Department of Health, you should receive instruction on what to do if you misplace it.

The bottom line

Hawaii requires that at least one food worker from each establishment — such as a restaurant, hotel, healthcare facility, or mobile food truck — earn a food handler card.

To earn your Hawaii food handler card, enroll in and complete an ANAB-accredited course — like FoodSafePal’s — on important food safety principles and pass the test.

Alternatively, you can earn your certificate in-person for free through the Hawaii Department of Health.

Hawaii food handler cards are valid everywhere in the state, and expire within three years from the date of issuance.