Illinois Food Handler Card: A Comprehensive Guide

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

Owing to the importance of food safety for preventing foodborne illnesses, many states and counties require food workers to earn a food handler card before or within a certain period of employment at a food establishment.

However, you may wonder whether Illinois or any of its counties require a food handler card.

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

Do you need a food handler card in Illinois?

Illinois defines a food handler — or food employee — as someone who works with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food-contact surfaces.

Illinois requires that you earn a food handler card if you work at a foodservice establishment within 30 days of employment (1).

Examples of a foodservice establishment include:

• restaurants
• concessions
• retail food stores
• convenience stores
• mobile food stands or trucks
• schools
• licensed daycare homes and facilities
• healthcare facilities, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals

Only dietary staff at healthcare facilities are required to earn a food handler card.

However, because healthcare facilities serve populations highly susceptible to foodborne illnesses, Illinois strongly encouraged food handler training for nursing and therapy staff too.

The same is true for teachers in daycares and other childcare centers.

You are not required to earn a food handler card in Illinois if you are an unpaid volunteer or hold a valid certified food protection manager certification.

Illinois counties can have their own food handler training program, but it must still meet the state’s requirements.

Therefore, an Illinois food handler card is valid everywhere in the state.

How do you get an Illinois food handler card?

You can easily earn your Illinois food handler card online in two hours.

First, you must enroll in an Illinois-approved food handler training program like FoodSafePal’s that covers basic food safety principles, including:

• time and temperature controls for food safety
• good personal hygiene
• safe food handling practices
• cleaning and sanitizing
• preventing cross-contamination

Illinois has different approval requirements depending on whether you work in a restaurant or in a non-restaurant setting, such as a nursing home.

If you work in a restaurant, Illinois requires that the food handler training program be approved by the health department of public health.

FoodSafePal’s food handler training program has been approved by the Illinois health department of public health and is valid everywhere in the state, including Chicago.

Conversely, if you work in a non-restaurant setting, Illinois accepts food handler training programs that are approved in other states, as long as you can show proof.

The cost to enroll in an Illinois-approved food handler training program varies depending on the organization, but under Illinois law, it cannot exceed $15.

The cost to earn your food handler card with FoodSafePal is $10.

After completing the course content, you must take a test and earn a passing score, for which there is no minimum passing score required by Illinois.

The FoodSafePal food handler test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, and you need at least a 70% to pass.

Once you earn your Illinois food handler card, it belongs to you and not your employer.

This means you can change jobs or work two jobs concurrently without having to earn another food handler card.

However, if you work at a non-restaurant, such as a school or healthcare facility, you must retake a food handler training course if you switch jobs.

How long does an Illinois food handler card last?

An Illinois food handler card is valid for three years from the date you earn it.

When your card is near its expiration, you must retake an Illinois-approved food handler course like FoodSafePal’s to renew it.

Renewing your food handler card every three years ensures that 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 that your training is current and valid.

Most food handler training programs issue food handler cards or certificates as a PDF, allowing you to print or email a copy to your manager.

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

The bottom line

Illinois requires a food handler card within 30 days of employment at a restaurant or non-restaurant setting.

To earn your Illinois-approved food handler card, enroll in a state-approved course like FoodSafePal’s, complete the course on important food safety principles, and pass the test.

Illinois food handler cards are valid everywhere in the state, including Chicago, and expire in three years from the date you earn it.