Indiana Food Handler Card: A Comprehensive Guide

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

Because unsafe food handling is a primary reason for foodborne illness, many states and 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 Indiana or any of its counties require a food handler card.

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

Do you need a food handler card in Indiana?

Neither Indiana nor any of its counties require a food handler card to work at a food establishment, such as a restaurant, market, bar, or food truck (1).

However, many Indiana food establishments have a strong food safety culture and still require their employees to earn a food handler card.

Additionally, Indiana requires that dietary staff at nursing homes receive at least four hours of training and education annually on topics relevant to their job, such as food safety, and often rely on food handler training to meet this requirement (2).

And even if your employer doesn’t require training, earning your food handler card can help you land your next gig or earn a higher salary.

How to get a Indiana food handler card?

Whether your employer requires it or you want to increase your marketability or pay, earning a Indiana food handler card is simple, and something that you can do in less than two hours.

To get started, enroll with a valid online training provider, such as FoodSafePal.

Then, complete the course content and pass a test to earn your Indiana food handler card.

The course covers important food safety topics, including:

• food hazards
• good personal hygiene
• handwashing and glove use
• time and temperature controls
• cross-contamination and cross-contact prevention
• maintaining a clean environment and pest prevention

The test asks questions about these topics, so pay close attention as you progress through the course and take notes if you need to.

The questions are usually multiple choice, and you will need at least a 70% to pass.

If you don’t pass the first time, you can usually retake the test for free.

Once you earn your Indiana food handler card, it belongs to you and not your employer. This means it follows you if you change jobs.

How long does an Indiana food handler card last?

An Indiana food handler card is generally good for three years from the date you earn it.

However, your employer may require that you renew it more often, for example, annually to meet Indiana’s annual training requirement for dietary staff in nursing homes.

Regularly renewing your food handler card keeps food safety at the top of your mind and informs you of any updates to the Food and Drug Administration Food Code.

It’s best practice to keep your Indiana food handler card on you or saved on your phone while at work.

You should also provide your manager with a copy if they require it.

If you lose your Indiana food handler card, you can download or print another copy — usually for free — from the food handler’s program website.

The bottom line

Neither Indiana nor any of its counties require a food handler card to work at a food establishment, but your employer may still require it.

To earn your Indiana food handler card, enroll with a valid online training provider — such as FoodSafePal — complete the course content, and pass the test.

An Indiana food handler card is generally good for three years from the date you earn it.