Do You Need a Food Handlers Card to Work at McDonald’s?

With more than 36,000 locations in more than 100 countries, McDonald’s is one of world’s largest fast-food chains.

Because its workers prepare and handle a variety of food items, you might wonder whether you need to get a food handlers card to work there.

This article explains whether you need a food handlers card to work at McDonald’s, and if so, how to get one.

What is a food handlers card?

You earn a food handlers card — also known as a certificate or permit — after you take a basic course on food safety and pass a test.

Food handler courses teach you how to identify and prevent food hazards, which can lead to foodborne illness or food poisoning.

To keep people safe from foodborne illnesses, many states and counties require a food handlers card to work at a food establishment like McDonald’s.

Even if there exists no state or local law requiring food handler training, many food establishments still require it of their workers.

Does McDonald’s require a food handlers card?

Food handler training is designed for crew or team members who work at food establishments.

This includes cooks, dishwashers, and, sometimes, cashiers.

McDonald’s is a food establishment because the operation stores, prepares, packages, serves, or otherwise provides food for human consumption.

Therefore, the state or county in which the McDonald’s operates may require its workers to earn a food handlers cards.

For example, many of the states with the highest number of McDonald’s like California, Texas, Illinois, and North Carolina all require food handler cards.

In other states where McDonald’s operates, there may be no state law requiring food handler training, but there may be local health departments that do.

For example, Arizona, New York, Kansas, Missouri, and North Dakota, among many others, don’t have state laws that require a food handler card, but several of their counties do.

And, if there are no state or local laws, the McDonald’s at which you work can — and often do — require it to work there.

Therefore, it’s useful to complete a food handler training course regardless of state or local laws if you plan to work at McDonald’s or a different restaurant.

How to earn your food handlers card for McDonald’s

It’s a quick and easy process to earn your food handlers card.

Depending on where you live, you might be able to take a food handlers course in-person, but most courses are offered online for convenience and ease.

To get started, enroll with a valid online food handler training provider.

Most places only recognize and accept food handler training courses that are ANAB-accredited, like FoodSafePal’s.

After enrolling, you can begin the course right away.

Complete the lessons, and take notes if you need to so you can pass the test at the end.

FoodSafePal’s Food Handler training consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, and you need to answer at least 28 (70%) correctly to pass.

If you don’t pass the first time, you can review the course again and retest for free.

After you pass the test and earn your food handlers card, it belongs to you and not McDonald’s, even if they covered the cost.

Therefore, you can use it work at a different food establishment or to work two jobs concurrently.

Most food handlers cards expire three years from the date you earn it, but some places expire sooner.

The bottom line

Having a food handlers card or certificate proves that you have taken and passed a course on basic food safety principles.

Depending on the location, you may need to earn a food handlers card to work at McDonald’s since it’s a food establishment.

To earn your food handlers card to work at McDonald’s, enroll in an approved course, complete the training, and pass the test.