Food Handler Card Requirements
Jefferson County (Louisville Metro), KY

City of Louisville and all of Jefferson County. Administered by Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness (LMPHW).

Louisville Metro REQUIRED for All Food Workers 3-Year Card

Jefferson County (Louisville) Quick Facts

Required
Food Handler Card
REQUIRED
Cost
~$10–$20 (verify w/ LMPHW)
Valid For
3 years
Online Accepted?
Verify with LMPHW
Health Authority
Louisville Metro Public Health
LMPHW Phone
(502) 574-6520
🚨
Required for all food handlers in Louisville Metro. Jefferson County merged with Louisville in 2003 to form Louisville Metro Government. Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness (LMPHW) is the single food safety authority for all of Jefferson County. Verify the most current accepted course list and cost directly with LMPHW, as approved providers can change.

Food Handler Card Requirements in Louisville (Jefferson County)

Jefferson County, Kentucky — which merged with the City of Louisville in 2003 to form Louisville Metro Government — requires all food service employees to hold a valid food handler card. Louisville is Kentucky's largest city and most populous county, with thousands of food service establishments ranging from small diners to major hotel restaurants, sporting venue concessions, hospital cafeterias, and school food service programs.

The food handler card requirement in Jefferson County is administered by Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness (LMPHW), the unified public health authority for Louisville Metro Government. This is the only agency whose food handler cards are valid for work in Jefferson County. Cards from other counties or generic online vendors should be verified with LMPHW before relying on them to satisfy the local requirement.

How Louisville's Food Handler System Works

Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness maintains a food safety certification program for individual food workers. The program requires workers to complete an approved food safety training course and pass a test. Upon completion, workers receive a card valid for 3 years.

LMPHW periodically updates its list of approved training providers and accepted online course providers. The approved list and current costs are maintained on the LMPHW website and can also be confirmed by calling the food safety division at (502) 574-6520.

Important: Verify Online Course Acceptance

Unlike counties such as Fayette (which only accepts its own in-person card), Louisville Metro's program has evolved over time and the accepted course list can change. Before purchasing any online food handler course to satisfy the Jefferson County requirement, verify with LMPHW that the specific provider you're considering is currently on the approved list.

How to Get a Food Handler Card in Louisville

  1. Contact LMPHW or check their website for current approved providers Call Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness at (502) 574-6520 or visit louisvilleky.gov/government/public-health-wellness. Ask specifically for the current list of approved food handler training providers and whether online options are currently accepted.
  2. Select an approved training course Choose a course from the LMPHW-approved list. If in-person testing is available, the LMPHW office at 400 E. Gray Street, Louisville, KY 40202 is the primary location for food safety services. Call ahead to confirm walk-in hours.
  3. Complete training and pass the test The training covers basic food safety principles. Most workers pass on the first attempt. The test is designed for all literacy and education levels.
  4. Pay the fee and receive your card The fee is approximately $10–$20 but verify the current cost with LMPHW directly. Your card will be valid for 3 years from issuance.
  5. Provide a copy to your employer Jefferson County employers are required to maintain food handler cards on file for all food-handling staff. Bring your card to work and provide a copy for your employer's records.

Louisville Metro Food Safety Inspection Program

LMPHW conducts routine food safety inspections of all licensed food establishments in Jefferson County. Inspection results — including scores and any cited violations — are publicly available on the Louisville Metro Government website. Inspectors verify that all food-handling employees hold valid, current food handler cards during routine visits.

Establishments found with uncertified employees are typically issued a Priority Foundation violation, which requires documented correction within a specified time period. Repeated violations can affect a restaurant's overall inspection grade and permit standing.

Food Manager Certification in Jefferson County

In addition to individual food handler cards, every food establishment in Jefferson County must comply with the Kentucky state requirement for at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) per establishment. The food manager certification is a separate, higher-level credential requiring a proctored exam (such as ServSafe) and typically costs $130–$180. The food manager requirement is a state rule — not a Louisville-specific rule — and it applies regardless of whether individual worker food handler cards are required in a given county.

Related Pages

Frequently Asked Questions — Jefferson County (Louisville)

Where do I go to get a food handler card in Louisville?▾
Contact Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness at (502) 574-6520 or visit louisvilleky.gov/government/public-health-wellness to find the current testing locations and approved online providers. The LMPHW main office is at 400 E. Gray Street, Louisville, KY 40202. Because the approved provider list can change, always verify current options directly with LMPHW before purchasing a course or making a trip.
How much does a food handler card cost in Louisville?▾
The cost is approximately $10–$20 based on publicly available information, but LMPHW may have updated their fee schedule. Verify the current fee by calling (502) 574-6520 before going in person or enrolling in an online course.
I have a food handler card from another Kentucky county. Does it work in Louisville?▾
Not automatically. Each county in Kentucky that requires a food handler card administers its own program, and cards issued in one county are not automatically accepted in another. A card from Madison County or Fayette County is not guaranteed to satisfy the Jefferson County requirement unless LMPHW specifically accepts it. Contact LMPHW at (502) 574-6520 to ask whether your existing card is valid for Louisville food service employment.
Does the food handler card requirement apply to food delivery drivers in Louisville?▾
The food handler card requirement in Jefferson County applies to employees who directly handle unpackaged food products. Delivery drivers who only handle sealed, packaged food items are generally not required to hold a handler card. However, if a driver also performs food prep or handles open food as part of their duties, the card requirement likely applies. Verify with LMPHW for your specific situation.
How do I look up restaurant inspection scores in Louisville?▾
Louisville Metro Government publishes food establishment inspection scores online through the LMPHW food safety portal at louisvilleky.gov. You can search by restaurant name or address to find the most recent inspection results, including any cited violations and whether they were corrected.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about food handler card requirements in Jefferson County (Louisville Metro), Kentucky. Requirements, approved providers, and fees are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness at (502) 574-6520 or louisvilleky.gov/government/public-health-wellness.