Ohio 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 food safety course.
Owing to the importance of safe food handling practices for the prevention of foodborne illnesses, many states and counties require food workers to earn a food handler card to work at a food establishment.
However, you may wonder whether Ohio or any of its counties require a food handler card.
This article explains everything you need to know about an Ohio food handler card, including whether you need one, how to earn one, and more.
Do you need a food handler card in Ohio?
Ohio does not require a food handler card to work at a food establishment, but the state requires similar training for the person in charge (1).
The person in charge is the one who is responsible for a foodservice operation at the time of a health inspection.
Ohio requires that at least one person in charge per shift earn person in charge certification (formally “level one” training) in food protection training.
This training is required for risk level l, ll, lll, and IV foodservice operations and retail food establishments.
Nursing homes and other healthcare facilities fall into this requirement.
While not required, food establishments may still choose to require food handler training for regular food employees.
Summary
Ohio does not require food handler training, but the state requires something similar called person in charge certification. At least one person in charge per shift must obtain this certification.
How to get person in charge certification
To become person in charge certified in food protection, you must enroll through a provider approved by the Ohio Department of Health.
FoodSafePal is not currently approved, but you can find a list of approved providers here.
Per state requirement, the course must cover the following topics:
- approved food sources
- personal hygiene and handwashing
- cross-contamination
- cleaning and sanitizing procedures
- proper cooking, cooling, reheating, thawing, and holding of food
- facility management
The time it takes to complete the course varies by provider, but you can expect it to take around two hours.
The course may include a final exam, but there is not a required passing score to earn your certification.
Once earned, the certification does not expire.
Summary
To become person in charge certified in food protection, you must complete a course offered by a provider approved by the Ohio Department of Health.
The bottom line
Ohio does not require food handler training, but the state requires at least one person in charge per shift be certified in food protection.
This training is required for risk level l, ll, lll, and IV foodservice operations and retail food establishments.
The course covers various important food safety topics, but you don’t need to pass an exam to earn the certification, and it doesn’t expire.
