Independent guide, not a government agency. We earn commissions on some links.
Food manager certification or food handler card: which do you need?
You may need a food handler card, unless your job is exempt. Some places must have a certified manager. In Texas and Illinois, that manager does not also need the card. San Diego County has its own rule, so check your county. Utah and Washington ask for a permit or training, but we haven't checked what they ask of managers.
By State Cert GuideChecked against the sources listed below.
The steps, in order
Check your state
The rules differ from state to state
Do you handle food?
Handler training or a card
Are you in charge?
Texas may require a certified food manager, depending on the food served
Hold a manager certificate?
Texas and Illinois exempt you from handler training
Keep your proof
Five steps in order: check your state, see if you handle food, see if you are in charge, see whether a manager certificate exempts you from handler training in your state, keep your proof. The rules differ from state to state.
What the rule says
Why do the rules differ by state?
Rules differ by state, and some counties and cities add their own. Local, state, tribal and federal regulators use the FDA Food Code as a model to develop or update their own food safety rules. That is why this guide sends you to each state's page.
Who needs food handler training in Texas?
A food employee. Texas defines that as someone who works with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food-contact surfaces. Texas requires all food employees to finish an accredited food handler training course within 30 days of employment. A few jobs are exempt. Our Texas food handler card page has the rest.
www.dshs.texas.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
Which Texas workers are exempt if someone supervises them?
Volunteers, people with an intellectual disability, people in a rehabilitation or correctional facility who work with food as part of their rehabilitation, people who aid in daily living activities, and people who hand out pre-portioned food in places like classrooms and daycare. They are exempt as long as someone with a handler card from an accredited course, or a Certified Food Manager, supervises them.
www.dshs.texas.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
Who needs a certified manager in Texas?
The rule asks that at least one employee who supervises and manages, and who can direct and control food prep and service, be a certified food protection manager who passed a test that is part of an accredited program.
Does every Texas food business need a certified manager?
Texas says food businesses that handle, prepare or serve exposed time/temperature control for safety foods may be required to employ a certified food manager. Our Texas food manager certification page covers the details.
Can a Texas city ask for more?
Yes. A city can pass a rule with stricter terms, requiring a certified food manager on site at all times.
Does a Texas food manager also need handler training?
No. A Certified Food Manager is exempt from the food handler training. The state's exempt list also covers a business that only serves pre-packaged items and a temporary food business in DSHS jurisdiction.
www.dshs.texas.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
How do you get a food manager certificate in Texas?
You pass an exam. Texas says you get it by passing a DSHS or ANSI-CFP approved food manager exam.
Is there a course for the Texas manager exam?
Yes, for people new to the industry. Texas says training programs may offer classroom or online training of 14 hours to people who are new to the food industry.
Can you take the Texas manager exam without the course?
Test sites give the exam to those who know the food industry well enough to take it. Ask the test site what it needs from you.
Do you pay the state for the Texas manager certificate?
No. DSHS does not run the manager training or exams and does not give out certificates. It says not to apply or send money to DSHS to sign up for a training program or exam.
How long does a Texas manager certificate last?
How long does a Texas food handler card last?
It is valid up to the date listed on the card. If the card lists no date, it is valid for two years from the day it was issued.
www.dshs.texas.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
Who needs food handler training in Illinois?
Any food handler, unless the person holds a valid certified manager credential or is an unpaid volunteer. Employees of a temporary food establishment are exempt too. Someone who fills in as a food handler when needed must have the training.
dph.illinois.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
Who needs a certified manager in Illinois?
Illinois says food businesses must be under the watch of a certified food protection manager, in line with the state Food Code and the adopted FDA Food Code.
dph.illinois.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
How do you get certified in Illinois?
Kitchen managers must finish an ANSI accredited manager course and pass an exam.
dph.illinois.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
How long does an Illinois manager certificate last?
Five years after you finish the course and pass the exam.
dph.illinois.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
How long does Illinois food handler training last?
ANSI food handler training certificates are good for three years.
dph.illinois.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
Does Chicago follow the same rule?
Illinois says the city of Chicago keeps its own certificate, so ask the city if you work there. For handler training in the rest of the state, see our Illinois food handler card page.
dph.illinois.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
What does Illinois food handler training cost?
Illinois says at least one food handler training option must cost $15.00 or less, and several online programs are at that price.
dph.illinois.gov · checked Nov 13, 2026 (opens agency website)
Who needs a food handler card in California?
A Fresno County document says the California Retail Food Code requires food handlers to have a California Food Handler Card within 30 days of being hired, and that cards are valid for three years. See our California food handler card page.
Does a California food manager also need a handler card?
The same Fresno County document says employees with a valid Food Manager Certificate do not need a Food Handler Card as well. Check your own county's rule.
Does every California county use the same card?
No. San Diego County Code says all food handlers need either a valid food handler card or a County of San Diego food handler test. The county also says not all California courses are accepted there. San Diego County runs its own program, and other counties may too, so check the rule where you work.
Does the Fresno County food safety class replace the card?
No. The Fresno County document says its Food Safety Class does not satisfy the card law. The class is for people who are exempt from the card law and do not need a Food Manager Certification.
Can an employer train you in-house in California?
Yes, in Fresno County, and then you don't need the card. The course must be approved, the food facility must show evidence of approval, and the card training must be during normal work hours at no cost to you.
What does a California food handler card class cost?
The Fresno County document says most are online classes for about $15 or less.
Does California ask a food business for a certified manager?
San Diego County says a state law requires at least one owner or employee in each food facility to pass a state-approved food safety exam. It says each certificate lasts for 5 years and must be renewed.
What does Utah require of food handlers?
All food handlers must get a permit from a local health department before they handle food that will be served to the public. For the permit itself, see our Utah food handler permit page. Ask your local health department what Utah asks of managers.
How do you get a Utah food handler permit?
You take a course from a provider on the state's approved list, pass the exam and get a certificate from the provider. Utah local health departments only accept training from providers on that list.
What does a Utah food handler permit cost?
Utah has a $15.00 permit fee. Providers and local health departments agree on how it is collected. Ask the provider what the course itself costs.
What does Washington require of food workers?
Washington requires all food workers to have food safety training before handling food served to the public. For the card itself, see our Washington food worker card page. Ask your local health department what Washington asks of managers.
Does a food worker card from another state count in Washington?
No. Washington says you must have a Washington State food worker card to work as a food worker there. The only authorized online training program is foodworkercard.wa.gov. Other websites that appear to offer a similar card online are not valid.
What does a Washington food worker card cost?
Washington says a food worker card costs $10.
Check your state's page
Where people go wrong
- Paying for both can be a waste. Texas and Illinois exempt a certified manager from the handler training, so check before you buy a second course.
- Sending money to the state is a mistake in Texas. DSHS says not to apply or send money to DSHS to sign up for manager training or an exam.
- A handler course is not a manager certificate. In Texas, you get the manager certificate by passing an approved exam.
- A city can ask for more than the state does. A Texas city can require a certified food manager on site at all times, and Illinois says Chicago keeps its own certificate.
- The two end on different dates. In Texas a manager certificate is valid for five years, and a handler card is valid for two years if it lists no date.
Questions
What if I lose my food manager certificate in Texas?
Contact the exam provider. DSHS says candidates who took a DSHS approved or ANSI exam must ask the provider how to get a replacement certificate.
Can I take the Texas food manager exam on the internet?
Yes. DSHS lists internet exam providers that meet its requirement, and certificates issued after those exams are valid in Texas.
What certificate does a Texas food manager receive?
A Certified Food Manager Certificate, issued when you pass the exam. Texas says it must be posted where customers can see it. Its size and issuance process vary by exam provider, so check with yours.
Does my employer have to pay for my Illinois food handler training?
No. Illinois says an employer is not responsible for paying for food handler training, because the training is the property of the certificate holder.
What if my state is not on this page?
Ask your employer or your local health department which one your state asks for.
Your next step
Before you pay for either one, find out which your state asks for. Start with your state's page, linked above, then read your state agency's own page for the current rule.
Sources we read
- www.dshs.texas.gov › frequently asked questions food handler education or training programs · read Nov 13, 2026
- www.dshs.texas.gov › frequently asked questions certified food manager cfm program · read Nov 13, 2026
- www.dshs.texas.gov › licensing certified food manager training programs · read Nov 13, 2026
- dph.illinois.gov › food handler faq · read Nov 13, 2026
- dph.illinois.gov › cfpm fssmc · read Nov 13, 2026
- www.fresnocountyca.gov › california food handler card · read Nov 13, 2026
- www.sandiegocounty.gov › foodhandler · read Nov 13, 2026
- epi.utah.gov › food handler training providers · read Nov 13, 2026
- doh.wa.gov › food worker card · read Nov 13, 2026
- www.fda.gov › fda food code · read Nov 13, 2026
Who publishes this guide
State Cert Guide is an independent guide to what each state requires. If a fact on this page is wrong, tell us and we fix it.