Kansas Food Handler Card: A Comprehensive Guide

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

Owing to the importance of safe food handling practices for preventing the development and spread of foodborne illnesses, many states and counties require that food workers earn a food handler card.

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

This article explains everything you need to know about a Kansas food handler card, including whether it’s required, how to get one, and more.

Do you need a food handler card in Kansas?

You are only required to earn a food handler card if you live in Leavenworth, Kansas (1).

Otherwise, Kansas does not require food workers to earn a food handler card.

However, the Kansas food code requires that food employees know how to handle and serve safely.

For this reason, many food establishments like restaurants, bars, markets, and mobile food trucks require food handler training programs for their employees.

Dietary staff of nursing homes and other healthcare facilities like hospitals must also know how to handle food safely, especially since they serve populations highly susceptible to foodborne illnesses, like older adults and people with compromised immune systems (2).

Summary

Kansas doesn’t require a food handler card, but you must earn one if you work in Leavenworth. Still, many Kansas food establishments require food handler training to educate their employees on safe food handling practices.

How do you get a Kansas food handler card?

You can earn your Kansas food handler card online in under two hours.

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

Approved by the City of Leavenworth

Easily earn your food handler card in under 2 hours

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If you live in Leavenworth, make sure the program in which you enroll is approved by the city.

FoodSafePal’s food handler program is approved by the City of Leavenworth.

After enrolling, complete the course lessons, which cover essential food safety topics, including:

Next, you will need to take and pass a test that covers these topics to earn your food handler card.

Most food handler training programs — including FoodSafePal’s — consist of 40 questions, and you usually need a 70% or higher to pass.

If you don’t pass the test the first time, most programs allow one free retake.

Summary

You can earn your Kansas food handler card with any valid online training provider. If you work in Leavenworth, make sure the food handler training in which you enroll is city-approved, like FoodSafePal’s.

How long does a Kansas food handler card last?

A Kansas food handler card — including a Leavenworth food handler card — usually expires three years from the date you earn it.

When your food handler card is near its expiration, you must renew it by reenrolling in a food handler training program.

Renewing your food handler card every three years keeps you current and fresh on important food safety practices to keep people safe from foodborne illnesses.

If your employer requires you to earn a food handler card, make sure to provide your manager with a copy.

In nursing homes and other healthcare facilities, health inspectors or surveyors commonly request to verify that you have received food safety training, which you can do by providing proof of your food handler card.

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

Summary

Kansas — and Leavenworth — food handler cards generally expire three years from the date of issuance. Renewing your food handler card every three years keeps you current and fresh on safe food handling practices.

The bottom line

Kansas does not require a food handler card unless you live in Leavenworth.

Still, because you must know how to handle food safely, many food establishments as well as nursing homes and other healthcare facilities require food handler training.