Kentucky 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 food safety.
Because unsafe food handling is a common cause of foodborne illness, many states and counties require that food workers earn a food handler card to work at a food establishment.
However, you may wonder whether Kentucky or any of its counties require a food handler card.
This article explains everything you need to know about a Kentucky food handler card, including whether you need one, how to earn one, and more.
Do you need a food handler card in Kentucky?
Kentucky has no law requiring a food handler card to work at a food establishment, such as a restaurant, bar, market, or food truck, but .
However, with the ability to pass laws to govern themselves as they see fit, many Kentucky counties do require a food handler card.
Kentucky counties requiring a food handler card include:
- Bell County
- Bullitt County
- Franklin County
- Jessamine County
- Knott County
- Lawrence County
- Lee County
- Leslie County
- Letcher County
- Lewis County
- Lexington-Fayette County
- Madison County
- Marshall County
- Montgomery County
- Owsley County
- Perry County
- Whitley County
- Wolfe County
- Woodford County
Even if you don’t work in one of these counties, many Kentucky food establishment still require their workers to earn a food handler card before or shortly after employment.
Summary
Kentucky does not require food workers to earn a food handler card, but many counties as well as food establishments do.
How to get a Kentucky food handler card?
If you don’t live in county that requires a food handler card, but your employer requires it, or you want to earn one because of the value it provides, doing so is simple and takes less than two hours.
To get started, enroll with a valid online training provider, such as FoodSafePal.
The cost to enroll varies by training provider, but generally costs between $10 and $17.
Then, complete the course content and pass the test.
The course covers essential food safety topics, including:
- how food becomes unsafe
- good personal hygiene
- handwashing and glove use
- time and temperature controls for food safety
- cleaning and sanitizing procedures
- food allergens and cross-contact prevention
The final test asks questions about these topics, so pay close attention as you progress through the course, taking notes as necessary.
The test usually consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, and you need at least a 70% to pass and earn your food handler card.
Once you earn your Kentucky food handler card, it belongs to you and not your employer.
This means you can change jobs without having to earn a new food handler card, unless you work in a county that requires one issued by the health department.
Kentucky counties requiring food handler training
If you work in a county that requires a food handler card, the process to earn it is slightly different.
Kentucky counties that require a food handler card, include:
- Bell County
- Bullitt County
- Franklin County
- Jessamine County
- Knott County
- Lawrence County
- Lee County
- Leslie County
- Letcher County
- Lewis County
- Lexington-Fayette County
- Madison County
- Marshall County
- Montgomery County
- Owsley County
- Perry County
- Whitley County
- Wolfe County
- Woodford County
Most of these counties have their own food handler training, and don’t accept training from other providers, including FoodSafePal.
The cost to enroll varies by county, and you may have to pay a health department fee on top of the training.
Some counties requiring food workers to earn a food handler card before starting a new job, while others require it shortly after, usually within 30 to 60 days.
Also varying by county is the number of test questions, passing score, and the time it takes to complete the course.
If you earn a food handler card approved by the county in which you live and then move to a different county, you will have to earn another food handler card through that health department.
Summary
To earn your Kentucky food handler card, enroll with a valid online training provider — such as FoodSafePal — complete the course, and pass the test. If you live in a county that requires a food handler card, you usually have to complete the training directly with the health department.
How long does a Kentucky food handler card?
A Kentucky food handler card is generally good for three years from the date you earn it.
However, food handler cards issued by Kentucky counties requiring them may expire sooner.
For example, Bell County requires food handler training annually, and a Franklin County food handler card is valid for two years.
Once you earn your food handler card, it’s best to keep a copy on you or saved to your phone while working.
You should also provide your manager with a copy to keep on file, especially if you work in a county that requires food handler training.
If you don’t work in a county requiring food handler training, and you lose your food handler card, you can reprint or download another copy from the program’s website.
Otherwise, you must reach out the health department that issued your food handler card for another copy for which there might be a fee.
Summary
A Kentucky food handler card is generally good for three years. However, food handler cards issued by counties requiring them may expire sooner.
The bottom line
Kentucky has no law requiring food handler training, but many of its counties do.
But even if you don’t work in a county that requires a food handler card, your employeer may still require it.
If you don’t work in a county requiring food handler training, you can earn a food handler card with a valid online training provider, such as FoodSafePal.
Otherwise, you usually must earn your food handler card through the health department of the county in which you work.
A Kentucky food handler card generally expires in three years from the date you earn it, while a county-specific food handler card may expire sooner.
