The United States has no federal food handler card requirement. Each state sets its own food safety certification rules — and most leave the decision to individual counties or employers. But 11 states have passed laws requiring all food service workers to hold a valid food handler card as a condition of employment, regardless of where in the state they work.
These statewide programs eliminate the county-by-county confusion that affects states like Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. If you work in California, you need a card — full stop. If you work in Indiana, it depends entirely on your county.
The 11 States With Statewide Food Handler Card Requirements
| State | Grace Period | Validity | Typical Cost | Online OK? | Employer Pays? | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 14 days | 2 years | ~$10 | Yes | No | WAC 246-217 |
| California | 30 days | 3 years | ~$15 | Yes | Yes — SB 476 | AB 1978 / CalCode |
| Illinois | 30 days | 3 years | ~$15 | Yes | No | 410 ILCS 625 |
| Oregon | 30 days | 3 years | ~$10 | Yes | No | OAR 333-150 |
| Hawaii | 30 days | 3 years | ~$10 | Yes | No | HAR §11-50 |
| Alaska | 30 days | 3 years | ~$10 | Yes | No | 18 AAC 31 |
| Utah | 30 days | 2 years | ~$15 | Yes | No | R392-100 |
| New Mexico | 30 days | 2 years | ~$15 | Yes | No | NMED Regulations |
| Louisiana | 60 days | 3 years | ~$15 | Yes | No | LAC 51:XXIII |
| Texas | 60 days | 2 years | ~$15 | Yes | No | 25 TAC §229.178 |
| Florida | 60 days | 3 years | ~$15 | Yes | No | FS §509.049 |
State-by-State Details
Washington — Strictest Grace Period (14 Days)
Washington has the shortest grace period of any state — new food workers must obtain their card within just 14 days of starting work. The card is valid for 2 years and costs approximately $10. Washington's card is state-specific and not transferable to or from other states. Workers relocating from another state cannot use their previous card. Online training through Washington State Department of Health-approved providers is accepted. Contact: (360) 236-4030.
California — The Only State Where Employers Must Pay
California is the only state where employers are legally required to pay for food handler cards. Under SB 476, effective January 1, 2024, employers must cover the cost of the card and compensate employees for any training time during work hours. Workers cannot be required to pay out of pocket. The card costs approximately $15, is valid for 3 years, and workers have 30 days from hire to become certified. Some counties (particularly Los Angeles and San Diego) have additional local requirements. Contact California Department of Public Health: (916) 558-1784.
Texas — High Volume, 60-Day Window
Texas processes more food handler certifications than virtually any other state due to its enormous food service industry. Workers have 60 days from hire — one of the more generous grace periods — to obtain certification. Cards are valid for 2 years, shorter than most statewide programs. Only ANAB-accredited courses are accepted. Contact Texas DSHS: (512) 834-6753.
Florida — DBPR Oversight
Florida's food handler card requirement is administered by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) rather than a health department — an unusual structure. Workers have 60 days to become certified. Cards are valid for 3 years. Not all ANAB-accredited courses are automatically accepted — verify your specific provider is on the current DBPR-approved list before purchasing. Contact: (850) 487-1395.
Illinois — Chicago Has Additional Requirements
Illinois requires food handler cards statewide under the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Workers have 30 days from hire, and cards are valid for 3 years. However, the City of Chicago has its own additional food safety certification requirements through the Chicago Department of Public Health — workers in Chicago may need both the state card and a Chicago-specific certification. Contact Illinois DPH: (217) 782-0500.
Oregon — One of the Strongest State Programs
Oregon's food handler card program is administered by the Oregon Health Authority and is considered one of the most comprehensive in the country. Only OHA-approved providers are accepted — a more rigorous approval process than simply requiring ANAB accreditation. Workers have 30 days from hire, cards are valid for 3 years and cost approximately $10. Contact OHA: (971) 673-1222.
Utah and New Mexico — 2-Year Validity
Both Utah and New Mexico require statewide certification but with shorter 2-year validity periods — unlike most other statewide states that offer 3 years. Workers in these states need to renew more frequently. Both states accept ANAB-accredited online courses. Contact Utah Dept. of Agriculture: (801) 538-6191. New Mexico Environment Dept.: (505) 827-2613.
Alaska — Remote Workforce Challenges
Alaska's statewide requirement is notable for its geographic challenges. Online training is critical since many Alaska food workers are in remote areas without nearby testing centers. Cards are valid for 3 years and workers have 30 days from hire. Contact Alaska Division of Environmental Health: (907) 334-2640.
Hawaii — Island-by-Island Administration
Hawaii requires statewide certification with cards valid for 3 years. Each island county has its own health department but all follow the same statewide rules. Workers have 30 days from hire. Contact Hawaii DOH Food Safety Program: (808) 586-4725.
Louisiana — 60-Day Grace Period
Louisiana's food culture and large hospitality industry mean a substantial food service workforce. Workers have 60 days from hire to become certified — one of the more generous grace periods among statewide-mandate states. Cards are valid for 3 years. Contact Louisiana Department of Health: (225) 342-7499.
The "Near-Statewide" States Worth Knowing
A few states have requirements so widespread they function like statewide mandates:
- New York City: The NYC Food Protection Certificate applies across all five boroughs — covering millions of food workers. The rest of New York State has no uniform requirement.
- Nevada: Clark County (Las Vegas) and Washoe County (Reno) together cover the vast majority of Nevada's food service workforce, though there is technically no statewide mandate.
- Colorado: Denver and several suburban counties have established programs that cover much of Colorado's food service population, without a statewide law.
The 39 States Without a Statewide Mandate
In the remaining 39 states, food handler card requirements — if they exist at all — are set at the county or city level. This includes major food service markets like Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Virginia, Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. In these states, a worker in one county may be legally required to hold a card while someone doing the same job 10 miles away has no such obligation.
For county-specific requirements, use the County Lookup Tool or browse the All States directory.