8 states require food workers to get a food handler card or training by state law: California, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington. Deadlines run from 14 to 60 days after hire. Elsewhere, counties and cities may set their own rule.
States with a statewide law
| State | Deadline | Valid for | Law and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 30 days after hire | 3 years | Health and Safety Code §113948. Exempts some employers (grocery stores, certified farmers' markets, health facilities, school cafeterias and others). Counties with a local program that started before 2009, such as San Diego County, issue their own cards. Source |
| Florida | 60 days after hire | 3 years | Florida Statutes §509.049. Applies to employees of public food service establishments licensed by DBPR; training must come from a DBPR-approved program. Source |
| Illinois | 30 days after hire | 3 years | 410 ILCS 625/3.06. Food handlers need ANSI-accredited training; certified food protection managers are covered by their own certificate. Source |
| New Mexico | 30 days after hire | 3 years | 7.6.2 NMAC. Card from an ANSI-accredited program; an employer's own approved program can stand in for it. Source |
| Oregon | 30 days after hire | 3 years | ORS 624.570. Cards from any Oregon county are valid statewide; a food manager certificate is accepted instead. Out-of-state cards are not. Source |
| Texas | 60 days after hire | 2 years | Health and Safety Code §438.046; Texas Food Establishment Rules. Certified food managers and establishments serving only prepackaged food are exempt. Cards from accredited programs are valid statewide. Source |
| Utah | 30 days after hire | 3 years | Utah Admin. Code R392-103. Training certificate within 14 days, then the permit from the local health department within 30. Certified food safety managers are exempt; permits are valid statewide. Source |
| Washington | 14 days after hire | 2 (first card), then 3 or 5 years | RCW 69.06; WAC 246-217. Workers may start before the card if the employer gives safe food handling training first. Cards are valid statewide. Source |
Every state at a glance
| State | Statewide food handler card law |
|---|---|
| Alabama | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Alaska | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Arizona | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Arkansas | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| California | Yes, within 30 days |
| Colorado | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Connecticut | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Delaware | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| District of Columbia | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Florida | Yes, within 60 days |
| Georgia | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Hawaii | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Idaho | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Illinois | Yes, within 30 days |
| Indiana | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Iowa | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Kansas | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Kentucky | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Louisiana | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Maine | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Maryland | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Massachusetts | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Michigan | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Minnesota | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Mississippi | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Missouri | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Montana | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Nebraska | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Nevada | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| New Hampshire | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| New Jersey | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| New Mexico | Yes, within 30 days |
| New York | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| North Carolina | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| North Dakota | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Ohio | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Oklahoma | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Oregon | Yes, within 30 days |
| Pennsylvania | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Rhode Island | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| South Carolina | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| South Dakota | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Tennessee | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Texas | Yes, within 60 days |
| Utah | Yes, within 30 days |
| Vermont | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Virginia | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Washington | Yes, within 14 days |
| West Virginia | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Wisconsin | No statewide law; check your county or city |
| Wyoming | No statewide law; check your county or city |
Getting ready for the test
Food handler tests cover the same core: personal hygiene, cross-contamination, time and temperature control, and cleaning. Practice with the free food handler practice test, keep the food temperature chart handy, and if you run a kitchen, the manager-level ServSafe Manager practice test covers the certification most states require for the person in charge.
Free to use
Use this data on your site
Common questions
California, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington have a statewide law. In the other states, a county or city may require one, and nearly every state requires at least one certified food protection manager in a food establishment.
It depends on the state: 14 days in Washington, 30 days in California, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah, and 60 days in Florida and Texas.
Usually not. Cards are generally valid only in the state that requires them, and Oregon, for example, does not accept out-of-state cards. Texas and some others accept cards from any accredited program, which some national providers issue.
No. A food handler card is a short course and test for workers who handle food. A Certified Food Protection Manager credential (such as ServSafe Manager) is a longer, proctored exam for the person in charge. Several states accept a manager certificate in place of a handler card.
Possibly. Counties and cities such as Maricopa County in Arizona and the Southern Nevada Health District require their own cards. Ask the local health department or your employer.
Practice the food handler test free
Method: we read each state’s statute, administrative rule or health department page, linked in the table, on October 29, 2026. Rules change and local health departments add their own, so confirm with yours. QuizCram is not affiliated with any state agency.