Texas Food Handler Certification
Online – Fast & Mobile-Friendly – Certify in 1 Hour
$15.95
Complete your Food Handler training online and earn your certificate from your phone, tablet, or computer. Simple, self-paced training for food employees who need a fast and affordable way to get certified.
✅ Approved for Use in Texas
✅ 100% Online · ~45 Minutes
English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Russian, and Arabic.
Trusted Food Handler Training
This online Texas Food Handler course is designed for food employees who need practical food safety training they can complete quickly and conveniently online.
Who Should Take This Course?
What You’ll Learn
How the Texas Food Handler Course Works
Register Online
Sign up in just a few minutes and get immediate course access.
Complete the Training
Work through the course at your own pace on any device.
Finish & Certified
Download/print your certificate after you complete the course.
Why Take Your Texas Food Handler Course With Us?
Fast and Simple
Designed for busy food workers who need a straightforward training experience.
Mobile-Friendly
Take the course on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.
Affordable Training
3-year certification for only $15.95.
Texas Food Handler Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions Texas food employees and managers ask most often about food handler training.
Who needs a Texas Food Handler card?
Any food employee in Texas who handles unpackaged food, food equipment, utensils, or food-contact surfaces must hold a food handler card. This includes cooks, prep staff, servers, dishwashers, bartenders, baristas, deli and bakery workers, and food truck employees. Certified Food Managers are exempt because they hold a higher-level credential.
How soon after being hired do I need to complete the course?
Food handler training must be completed within 30 days of hire under the Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER §228.31). We recommend finishing on your first shift or during onboarding so your employer has your certificate on file right away.
How long is my Texas Food Handler card valid?
A Texas Food Handler card is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance under 25 TAC §229.178. There is no attestation or paper-renewal process — when your card expires you must complete a new DSHS-accredited course.
Is your course accepted everywhere in Texas?
Yes. Our course is delivered under an ASTM E2659-compliant, accredited program and is accepted statewide in Texas. Under Texas Health & Safety Code §438.046, local jurisdictions may not require a separate local food handler card or charge an additional fee for employees who already hold an accredited credential.
How long does the online course take?
Most students finish in about 45 minutes to 1 hour. The course is fully self-paced — you can pause anytime and pick up right where you left off from any device.
What device do I need? Can I take it on my phone?
Yes. The course is 100% mobile-friendly and works on any smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop with an internet connection. No downloads or special software required.
When do I get my certificate?
Immediately. As soon as you pass the final exam, you can download and print your official Texas Food Handler certificate. A copy is also emailed to you for your records.
Is the course offered in Spanish or other languages?
Yes. The course is available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Russian, and Arabic.
I already have a food handler card from another state. Do I need to retake the course in Texas?
Not necessarily. Under Texas Health & Safety Code §438.046, Texas recognizes food handler cards issued by accredited programs from other states as long as they meet the same national standard. Check with your employer and local health authority to confirm your existing card is accepted.
Does my employer need to keep a copy of my certificate?
Yes. Under TFER §228.31(e), restaurants and food establishments must keep a certificate of completion on file for every food employee and make it available to the health inspector on request. Give your employer a copy as soon as you finish the course.
Is a Food Handler card the same as a Food Manager certificate?
No. A Food Handler card is required for individual food employees. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certificate is a separate, higher-level credential. Texas requires at least one CFPM on staff at every food establishment that handles unpackaged, time/temperature-sensitive foods.