Nebraska 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 leading cause of foodborne illness, many states and counties require food workers to earn a food handler card.

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

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

Do you need a food handler card in Nebraska?

Nebraska does not require a food handler card to work with food, but Lincoln-Lancaster County does.

However, even if you don’t live in Lincoln-Lancaster County, many food establishments such as restaurants, bars, and markets across Nebraska have a strong food safety culture and still require a food handler card before or within a certain period of employment.

Additionally, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities rely on food handler training for their dietary staff to ensure they have the know-how to handle food safely.

This is especially important since nursing homes and other healthcare facilities serve populations highly susceptible to foodborne illnesses, such as older adults and people with a weakened immune system.

For example, Nebraska requires that the dietitian at nursing homes provide regular inservice presentation to dietary staff on various topics, including food safety (1).

Even if you’re not required to earn a food handler card at your job, doing so can make it easier to land your next foodservice gig or earn a higher starting wage.

How to get a Nebraska food handler card?

You can easily earn a Nebraska food handler card in under two hours.

To get started, simply enroll with a valid online training provider — such as FoodSafePal — complete the course content, and pass the test.

The course content covers important food safety topics, including:

• food hazards
• good personal hygiene
• handwashing and glove use
• time-temperature controls (TCS) for food safety
• reportable illnesses
• cross-contamination and cross-contact prevention
• cleaning and sanitizing

The test asks questions about these topics in multiple-choice format, so pay close attention as you progress through the course.

Generally, you need at least a 70% to pass the test and earn your food handler card.

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

If you work in Lincoln-Lancaster County, you must earn your food handler card through the health department. No other training, including FoodSafePal, is valid.

You can earn your Lincoln-Lancaster food handler card online here, or take the class in-person. You can locate the schedule for in-person training here.

Whether online or in-person, the cost to enroll with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is $20.

How long does a Nebraska food handler card last?

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

However, a Lincoln-Lancaster County food handler card is good for two years.

When your food handler card is near its expiration, you must renew it by reenrolling and completing another food handler course.

If you work in Lincoln-Lancaster County, make sure to reenroll with the health department since it doesn’t recognize other food handler training programs.

Whether earned through an online training provider or the Lincoln-Lancaster Health Department, always print a copy of your food handler card for your own records, and provide your manager with a copy.

Once you earn your food handler card, it belongs to you and not the food establishment at which you work.

This means you can change jobs within the state or county without having to earn a new food handler card.

If you lose your food handler card, you should be able to log into your account with your chosen training provider or the Lincoln-Lancaster Health Department to reprint or redownload.

The bottom line

Nebraska does not require a food handler card to work with food, but you must earn one if you work in Lincoln-Lancaster County.

To earn your Nebraska food handler card, enroll with an online training provider, complete the course content, and pass the assessment.

If you work in Lincoln-Lancaster County, you must earn your food handler card through the health department, which you can do online or in-person.

A Nebraska food handler card is generally good for three years, while a Lincoln-Lancaster County food handler card expires in two years.