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Do I need a food handlers card in Illinois?

Yes, if you work with unpackaged food, food equipment, utensils or food-contact surfaces. Some people are exempt, like unpaid volunteers. Generally, you should train within 30 days of hire. A certificate from an ANSI course is good for three years. Pick your course by where you work, before you pay.

By State Cert GuideChecked against the sources listed below.Published · Updated Report a mistake

The rule, fact by fact

Cost
No set fee. At least one course has to cost $15.00 or lessThe state says several ANSI-approved courses are online at that price.
Verified. Illinois Department of Public Health · Food Handler FAQ (opens state website) · checked Nov 12, 2026
Valid for
ANSI food handler training certificates are good for three yearsOther kinds of training taken by restaurant workers are good for three years too.
Same source and date as above
Deadline after hire
Generally, employees should receive training within 30 days of hireThe same sentence says employees may be required to renew every three years.
Verified. dph.illinois.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 12, 2026
What counts as a restaurant
A business where at least 51% of sales is ready-to-eat foodThat's food to eat right away or on site. The rule names concessions and other food service places as examples. Leave liquor out of total sales when you figure the 51%.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check that the rule covers your job. Illinois says food handler training is required for food employees and handlers, based on the type of place they work in. A food handler is someone working with unpackaged food, food equipment, utensils or food-contact surfaces. If you fill in as a food handler when needed, you need the training too. You are not required to have it if you hold a valid Certified Food Protection Manager certification or you are an unpaid volunteer. Temporary food establishment employees are exempt as well. Generally, you should train within 30 days of hire.

  2. Step 2. Choose the course by where you work. An ANSI accredited program counts for both kinds of workplace. In a restaurant, ANSI is the rule. The only exceptions are training from a local health department that the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has approved to train restaurant staff, or from a business with an IDPH approved internal training program. The state's training page says IDPH currently approves internal training programs only for non-restaurants. In a non-restaurant, such as a nursing home, school, hospital or retail food store, a course that IDPH has registered and approved counts too. Start with the state's food handler training page. It links to the ANSI list of accredited programs.

  3. Step 3. Take the course. If you pick an ANSI approved course, the state's FAQ says you can take the course and its test online, at any hour, with no instructor watching. When you pass, you can print the certificate right away.

  4. Step 4. Keep proof of your training. Not every course gives a certificate, but proof has to be at your workplace when an inspector asks. Proof can be a written or electronic list with your name, the training you received and the date. Ask your employer to keep a copy, since the state says places that serve food should keep training records for inspections.

Before you pay

Find out whether your workplace counts as a restaurant or a non-restaurant. The state's test for a restaurant: ready-to-eat food to eat right away or on site is at least 51% of all sales, not counting liquor. This decides which courses you can use.

Ask what the course costs. The state says at least one option has to cost $15.00 or less, and multiple ANSI approved programs online are at that price.

Ask your employer before you pay. The state says an employer is not responsible for paying for the training, so don't assume it will cover the cost.

If the course gives no certificate, ask how you will get proof of training. The proof has to be at your workplace for an inspector.

If you work in a non-restaurant, don't count on taking the training to another employer. The state says it is not transferable between employers.

Questions

Is the food handlers card free in Illinois?

The pages we read don't name a free course. The state says at least one option has to cost $15.00 or less, and that the state does not issue food handler certifications. An employer is not responsible for paying for the training. Ask the provider what you'll pay before you start.

How long is an Illinois food handlers card good for?

An ANSI food handler training certificate is good for three years. Other kinds of training taken by restaurant workers are good for three years too. In nursing homes, licensed day care homes and facilities, hospitals, schools and long-term care facilities, training is every three years. In any other non-restaurant, such as a retail food store, you don't have to train again unless you go to work for another employer.

How soon after I'm hired do I need the training?

Generally, you should receive it within 30 days of hire. That is what the state's page says.

Does the state give me the card?

No. The state says it does not issue food handler certifications. You take a course from a provider that meets the rules for your kind of workplace.

Is my certificate good everywhere in Illinois?

A restaurant certificate is valid throughout the state, unless you got the training at a business through an IDPH approved internal training program. Training for non-restaurants is not transferable between employers.

What to do next

Start with the state's food handler training page, which links to the ANSI list of accredited programs. Know first whether your workplace counts as a restaurant or a non-restaurant. Not sure your job is covered? Read the state's questions and answers first.

dph.illinois.gov

Sources we read