What Website Can You Get a Food Handlers Card From?
You need a food handlers card so you turn to Google.
After hitting search, you’re hit with dozens of options — all making the same promise that you can earn your food handlers card 100% online.
You go with the first or second choice, but how do you whether the link you choose is legit or if your health department will deem the food handler card you earn valid?
This article explains the significance of the website from which you obtain a food handler’s card and provides guidance on how to obtain one that is approved by your health department.
What is a food handlers card?
A food handlers card proves that you have completed a course about important food safety principles and pass a test demonstrating your knowledge of these principles.
Food handler courses educate you on how to identify and prevent food hazards that occur throughout the flow of food — from receiving to serving — so you can prevent foodborne illnesses or food poisoning.
Because unsafe food handling by food workers is a leading cause of foodborne illnesses, many states and counties require a food workers to earn and hold a valid food handlers card throughout the duration of employment at a food establishment or other place that handles and serves food like a healthcare facility or school.
Many employers have a strong commitment to food safety and also require it of their employees — regardless of state or local food handler training laws.
Some places require a food handlers card within 30 days of employment, while others prefer it before starting the job.
Summary
A food handlers card proves that you have the knowledge necessary to prepare and handle food safely to prevent foodborne illnesses. Many places require it before or within a certain period of employment at a food establishment.
Does the food handlers card website matter?
Not all food handlers cards are the same, so it makes a difference in terms of the website from which you choose to earn it.
Many states and counties only accept certain food handler cards, so you can’t just pick one of the dozens options from your search results.
In most cases, your health department will accept food handler courses that have been ANSI-National Accreditation (ANAB) accredited, which means that the course and the organization offering the course have met certain established national standards.
These states require ANAB-accredited food handler cards:
Other states may not have a law requiring a food handlers card, but their counties might.
For example, Arizona, North Dakota, and New York don’t require an ANAB-accredited food handlers card but several of their counties do.
In other areas, ANAB-accreditation may not matter as the state or county may only accept food handler cards that they individually approve or issue.
Utah, for example, only accepts food handler programs they individually approve, while Alaska and Washington only accept food handler cards they specifically issue.
Therefore, where you work will determine which website from which you can earn your food handlers card from.
Some websites — including this one — make it clear whether your health department will accept their training, but many — whether intentionally or no — don’t, so be cautious.
Summary
You can’t earn your food handlers card from any website as some states and counties have different food handler training requirements. However, if the website is offering ANAB-accredited food handler training, there’s a good chance your health department will accept it.
How to earn a valid food handlers card
Earning your food handlers card online is generally a fast and easy process.
But, the before you close your eyes and randomly pick one of the links from your Google search, you need to know the requirements of your health department.
Most places accept websites that offer ANAB-accredited food handler cards, but there is a small percentage that don’t because they have their own requirements.
Websites like this one have already done that work for you and will let you know if their training isn’t accepted in your area.
Other websites that offer ANAB-accredited food handler training will do the same, so you can confidently rely on these websites.
Earn Your Food Handler Card + Certificate Fast & Easily
Guaranteed to be approved by your health department
Some health departments may not require a food handlers card, but your employer still might. In this case, you should talk to your employer.
If you are just applying, you can call the prospective employer and ask if they have a specific requirement or website they prefer.
After you find the right course, you can enroll after paying the fee with PayPal or other payment option and start the course right away.
Pay attention as you progress through the course so you can pass the test at the end to earn your food handlers card.
Most tests consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and you need to a 70% to 75% to pass. If you don’t pass the first time, you can usually retake it for free.
You can learn and test in well under one day — usually just an hour or two.
After you earn your food handlers card, it belongs to you and not your employer or future employer. This means you can use it to work at other food establishments with your area.
Some food handler cards — namely those that are ANAB-accredited — transfer states.
Your food handlers card will generally be good for three years, or two years if you live in Texas.
Summary
Check the regulations of your local health department to determine the websites from which you can earn your food handlers card. Alternatively, websites that offer ANAB-accredited food handler training like this one will let you know whether your health department will accept their training.
The bottom line
A food handlers card allows you to work at a food establishment or place that prepares and serves food like a healthcare facility or school.
Because not all food handler cards are the same, you can’t trust that your health department will accept the food handlers card you earn from any one of the links from your Google search.
Therefore, it’s best to check your health department’s requirements.
Alternatively, most websites that offer ANAB-accredited food handler training do this work for you by telling you whether your health department will accept they training they offer.
Earn Your Food Handler Card + Certificate Fast & Easily
Guaranteed to be approved by your health department
