New Mexico 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 basic food safety principles.

Owing to the importance of food safety for preventing foodborne illnesses, many states, cities, and counties require that you earn a food handler card to work at a food establishment.

However, you may wonder whether New Mexico or any of its cities or counties require you to earn a food handler card.

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

Do you need a food handler card in New Mexico?

New Mexico defines a food handler or worker as a person who handles food, utensils, and food contact surfaces.

New Mexico requires that you earn a food handler card if you work at a foodservice establishment within 30 days of employment.

This includes:

• restaurants
• delis
• food trucks
• coffee shops
• bars
• healthcare facilities

Conversely, New Mexico doesn’t require a food handler card if (1):

• you possess a valid Certified Food Protection Manager certification
• you handle non-time-temperature control for safety (TCS) food, such as shelf-stable foods and unprepared or uncut fruits and vegetables
• you occasionally work or volunteer as a food handler (restaurant hosts, teachers assisting with family-style dining, and nurses or therapists assisting patients with eating)
• you work as a food handler at temporary events

However, if you fall into one of these exemptions, you must still receive food safety training from your manager or designated individual.

This training can include a food handler training course or be developed by the company or organization at which you work or volunteer.

In either case, a New Mexico food handler card is valid everywhere in the state.

How do you get a New Mexico food handler card?

You can easily earn your New Mexico food handler card online in two hours or less.

First, you must enroll in a New Mexico-approved food handler training program that covers important food safety topics, including:

• food hazards
• good personal hygiene and handwashing
• time and temperature controls for food safety
• cleaning and sanitizing
• cross-contamination and cross-contact

Food handler training programs that are accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) — such as FoodSafePal’s — are valid in New Mexico.

After you complete the course contents, you must pass a test to earn your food handler card.

The assessment usually consists of 40 questions with a passing score of 70% or higher.

Once you earn your New Mexico food handler card, it belongs to you and not the restaurant or foodservice establishment at which you work.

This means you can change jobs or work two jobs concurrently without having to earn another food handler card.

How long does a New Mexico food handler card last?

A New Mexico food handler card is valid for three years from the date of issuance.

When your card is near its expiration, you must retake a New Mexico-approved food handler course to renew it.

Renewing your card every three years ensures that you stay current and fresh on important food safety practices.

Whether you’re earning a food handler card for the first time or renewing it, make sure to keep it on you while working and provide your manager with a copy to show health inspectors that you’re current in your training.

Most food handler training programs issue food handler cards or certificates as a PDF, easily allowing you to print or email a copy to your manager.

You can also save the PDF certificate or card on your phone.

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

The bottom line

New Mexico requires that you earn a food handler card within 30 days of employment in foodservice.

To earn your New Mexico food handler card, enroll in and complete a state-approved course on important food safety principles like FoodSafePal’s and pass the test.

New Mexico food handler cards are valid everywhere in the state and expire within three years from the date of issuance.