How To Earn A Food Handler Certificate Online (2024)

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Whenever food is prepared for the public, it brings the potential for food safety issues like cross-contamination, allergic reactions or foodborne illness. To address these challenges, establishments that serve food often require their staff to earn a food handler certificate.

While not every state requires food handler certificates for food service workers, many health departments recommend them. Some employers, including restaurants, hospitals and schools, require this certification to ensure their employees understand safe food handling practices.

This article outlines the steps to earn a food handler certificate, along with a few popular virtual training providers. Keep reading to learn more about how you can earn a food handler certificate online.

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Key Takeaways

Completing a food handler certificate training program ensures you can safely prepare, store and handle food and take steps to prevent foodborne illness and cross-contamination.
Not every state requires food service workers to have a food handler certificate. Check with your local health department to see if you need one.
Even if your state doesn’t require it, your employer may prefer that you earn a food handler certificate.
If you currently work in the food service industry, your employer may have already selected a preferred training program.

Who Needs a Food Handler Certificate?

You may need a certificate if you plan to work in the food service or hospitality industry preparing or serving food or using food preparation equipment or utensils.

Not every state requires a food handler certificate, also known as a food handler card or food safety certificate. However, many states enforce certification. Check with your county or local health department to understand your state’s requirements.

Earning a food handler certificate benefits workers in restaurants, educational institutions, hotels, hospitals, nursing facilities, grocery stores and any location where food is prepared or served.

How To Get a Food Handler Certificate

Below, we outline the steps to earn a food handler certificate. Keep in mind that since each state sets its own requirements, these steps include general information that typically applies to earning a food handler certificate.

Find a Training Program

Depending on your state’s requirements, you may find food handler certification programs by contacting your health department or, if you already work in food service, through your employer. In some states, you may be given 30 or 60 days to complete certification training after starting a new position.

You can also find information about accredited food handler certificate issuers through the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), which provides accreditation for programs in some states.

You can find an approved program that works for your schedule with online and in-person options. We will discuss a few online training programs later on.

Complete Your Training

Training varies by state, but it typically takes around two hours. Food handler programs usually cover the following topics:

Pass the Examination

After completing your training, you generally need to pass a final exam. These examinations vary, so confirm your program’s test format, duration and content. You’ll likely have multiple attempts to pass.

Maintain Your Certificate

Depending on your state’s requirements, you may need to repeat the training after a period of time to maintain your certificate. Food handler certificates often expire in two or three years.

8 Food Handler Certificates Online

We’ve detailed a few training programs to consider below, but you can find many other excellent programs online. Since each state determines its own food handler certificate requirements, it’s important to note that the cost, content and other specifics may vary depending on where you live.

National Restaurant Association Solutions – ServSafe®

Certificate Title: ServSafe Food Handler
Cost: $15 includes non-state specific online course and assessment bundle
Program Length: Approximately two hours
Certificate Overview: This food handler certification training program, available in English and Spanish, includes a 40-question assessment at the end. The program includes up to three attempts at the assessment and is valid for three years.

StateFoodSafety

Certificate Title: Food Handlers Certificate
Cost: $10 to $40, depending on the state
Program Length: Up to two hours
Certificate Overview: This ANAB-accredited online program is available in multiple languages that vary by location. The exam consists of 30 to 40 multiple-choice questions.

AAA Food Handler

Certificate Title: Food Handler Card
Cost: Starting at $6.95
Program Length: 1.5 hours
Certificate Overview: This ANAB-accredited online food handler training course includes two attempts to pass a 40-question exam. This program is available in English and Spanish.

360 Training Learn2Serve®

Certificate Title: National Food Handler Certificate
Cost: $9.99 for national certificate; others vary
Program Length: Two hours
Certificate Overview: This program has ANAB accreditation and offers specific courses to meet different state requirements, including California and Texas. The exam includes 45 questions, and you must pass with a score of 72%.

Always Food Safe

Certificate Title: Food Handler
Cost: $10
Program Length: Approximately 2 hours
Certificate Overview: This ANAB-accredited program includes a 40-question exam. You have two attempts to score at least 75%. The training is available in English and Spanish.

FoodSafePal

Certificate Title: Food Handler
Cost: $15
Program Length: 75 minutes
Certificate Overview: This online training program includes an examination with 40 multiple-choice questions and a free retake if you need it. The exam takes approximately 30 minutes. This ANAB-accredited training is available in English and Spanish.

A Plus Food Training

Certificate Title: Food Handler Certificate
Cost: $15
Program Length: Two hours
Certificate Overview: This ANAB-accredited online training program covers all aspects of safe food preparation and handling. It includes an exam at the end, and you must score 75% or higher to pass. A Plus Food Training also offers a $50 instructor-led version.

Cogneti

Certificate Title: Food Handler
Cost: $15
Program Length: Approximately two hours
Certificate Overview: You can complete Cogneti’s training on your computer or phone. The ANAB-accredited program offers food handler certificates recognized by several states. You must score 70% or higher on the final exam, and you may take it more than once. This training program is available in multiple languages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Earning a Food Handler Certificate Online

How do I get a food handlers license?

The process and requirements vary by state, but typically, you must enroll in a food handler certificate training program, complete the course and pass an exam. Check with your local health department or employer for an approved training program.

Is ServSafe the same as food handlers?

ServSafe is one certificate training program that offers food handler certificates; it’s available through the National Restaurant Association. The term “food handlers” refers to people who prepare and serve food professionally at businesses, including restaurants, bars, hospitals, hotels and schools.

Can I get my food handlers card online?

Yes, you can earn your food handler card online. Many organizations offer high-quality online training programs. Check with your employer or local health department to learn more about your state’s requirements and locate an approved training program.

How long does it take to get a food handler card?

The time required to earn a food handler’s card varies by program and state. This is primarily because all states determine their own requirements for food handler training programs. However, you can typically expect to spend 40 minutes to two hours completing your training.