Oregon Food Handler Card: A Comprehensive Guide

A food handler card — also known as a food handler certificate or license — is proof that you have successfully completed a course on important food safety principles.

Owing to the importance of safe food handling practices for preventing the development and spread of foodborne illnesses, many states and counties require food workers to earn a food handler card.

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

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

Do you need a food handler card in Oregon?

Oregon requires a food handler card to work in a restaurant, bed and breakfast, food truck, commissary, or warehouse or vending operation within 30 days of hire (1).

Child care professionals must also take a state-approved food handler card to earn a food handler card.

However, you don’t need to earn a food handler card if you have a valid and current food manager training certification.

While not required by nursing homes, Oregon requires that dietary managers train their staff on safe food handling practices.

As such, many dietary managers turn to food handler training programs to meet this requirement (2).

The Oregon Health Authority, an Oregon county, or an approved third-party training provider can issue a food handler card.

An Oregon food handler card is valid everywhere across the state.

Food handler cards issued in other states are not valid in Oregon.

Summary

You must earn an Oregon food handler card to work at a restaurant, bed and breakfast, food truck, commissary, or warehouse or vending operation within 30 days of hire. While not required, dietary managers of nursing homes often rely on food handler training for their staff.

How do you get an Oregon food handler card?

To earn your Oregon food handler card, you must enroll with the Oregon Health Authority, a local public health authority, or an approved training provider.

The training covers important food safety topics, including:

After you complete the training, you must pass the final assessment with at least a 75% to earn your food handler card.

Some food handler training courses are longer than others, but from start to finish, you can expect to earn your Oregon food handler card in under two hours.

The cost to enroll varies, but you won’t pay more than $10 according to Oregon law.

Summary

Earn your Oregon food handler card by enrolling with the Oregon Health Authority, a local public health authority, or an approved training provider.

How long does an Oregon food handler card last?

An Oregon food handler card expires three years from the date you earn it.

When your Oregon food handler card is near its expiration, you must renew it by reenrolling in a food handler training program.

Renewing your food handler card every three years keeps you current and fresh on important food safety practices to protect people from foodborne illnesses.

Make sure to provide your manager with a copy of your food handler card so they can show health inspectors that you’re training is both valid and current.

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

Some organizations charge a fee to replace your food handler card, but this fee cannot exceed $5 according to Oregon law.

Summary

Oregon food handler cards expire three years from the date of issuance. Renewing your card every three years keeps you current and fresh on safe food handling practices.

The bottom line

Oregon requires a food handler card within 30 days of hire to work at a restaurant, bed and breakfast, mobile food truck, commissary, or warehouse or vending operation.

You can earn your Oregon food handler card by successfully completing a food handler course through the Oregon Health Authority, a local public health authority, or an approved training provider.

An Oregon food handler card expires three years from the date of issuance.