Who Needs a Texas Food Handler Certification?
This course is designed to educate food handlers on required food safety topics outlined in the Texas Food Establishment Rules. In Texas, any employee who works with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food contact surfaces is considered a food handler.
This program is accredited by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Every employee in Texas who serves, handles or stores food must complete an accredited food handler course and earn their certification within 30 days of beginning employment.
Some employees are exempt from food handler training, including:
- Certified Food Managers
- Employees who only serve pre-packaged food
- Employees of temporary food establishments under Texas DSHS jurisdiction
Your Texas food handler certification will be valid for two years from the date it is issued. Once your certification has expired, you must retake the course to renew your certification.
Course Details
Our Texas Food Handler course provides you with the flexibility to work at a time and pace convenient for you. You can complete the 100% online course on your computer, phone or tablet.
Course topics include:
- Foodborne illness, biohazards and spoilage of food
- Food contaminants
- Time and temperature controls
- Employee health and hygiene
- Handling and storing food safely
- Cleanliness and sanitization
This course does not include quizzes or a final exam. You can download your food handler certification and food handler card immediately following course completion. We automatically report your certification to the state of Texas, and it will be valid statewide.
To help you with your learning journey, we also offer the Texas Food Handler Guide for purchase. This comprehensive guide is a 13-page resource that outlines good hygiene practices, foodborne illness, ways to prevent cross-contamination and more.
We provide U.S.-based customer support via live chat and email. Phone support is also available for questions and registration assistance.
Course Overview
The Texas Food Handler course teaches safe techniques for food preparation and handling, which play a key role in preventing outbreaks of foodborne illness. This training provides the food industry with more qualified employees, which in turn can reduce the spread of illness.
Our online Texas Food Handler course contains five learning modules:
- Module 1: Foodborne Illness
- Module 2: Good Hygienic Practices
- Module 3: Preventing Contamination by Employees
- Module 4: Cross Contamination
- Module 5: Time and Temperature
The course takes a minimum two hours to complete. Each section is timed, and you may not move on to the next section until you meet the time requirement of the current module.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs food handler training?
As of Sept. 1, 2016, anyone who works with food (packaged or unpackaged), food equipment or utensils, or food contact surfaces is considered a food handler and must complete an accredited food safety course within 30 days of beginning work.
Examples of jobs that require a valid food handler certification include:
- Restaurant workers
- Kitchen employees
- Cooks
- Prep cooks
- Chefs
- Hosts and hostesses
- Bussers
- Deli workers
- Mobile food stand employees
- And more
What is the deadline to complete Texas food handler training?
New employees have 30 days from their date of hire to complete Texas Food Handler training and earn their certification.
Is this course state approved?
Yes. Our online Food Handler Certification course is approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The food handler certificate and card you receive at the end of the course will be valid immediately.
Is this course ANAB accredited?
No, this Texas DSHS-approved course is not accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, food employees must complete an accredited food handler program that is approved by Texas DSHS or ANAB.
Does this course have a final exam?
No, there is no quiz, test or final exam in this course. Once you have read all the material in the course and satisfied the two-hour time requirement, you will immediately have access to your certificate of completion and food handler card.
How long is my food handler certification valid?
Your food handler certification and card will be valid for two years, starting on the date you complete the training program. You will need to retake the course every two years to renew your certification.
What if I lose my food handler card?
You can log into the course anytime to reprint your certificate or card. If you do not remember your login information, you can reset your password on the login screen or contact customer service.
Additional Links and Resources
Find additional information and resources about food safety training in Texas.
