Getting your card
Which states require a food handler card?
Food handler cards are a state or county rule, so the answer depends on where you clock in. Of the places whose rule we read on their own pages (as of October 2026), California, Texas, Illinois, New Mexico, Hawaii and Maricopa County in Arizona take a course accredited by ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board), such as NEHA's PFH. Washington, Oregon, Utah and Southern Nevada run their own systems, and Florida works from a state-approved list.
- ExamPFH
- UpdatedOct 14, 2026
On this page 5 sections
The rule, state by state
| State | What's required | Deadline | Good for | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Card for most food handlers statewide, with exemptions (grocery, schools, health facilities and others). Only a provider accredited under ANSI (American National Standards Institute) counts, so PFH qualifies. A few local jurisdictions run their own programs under the same law. | Within 30 days of hire | 3 years | Cal. Health and Safety Code 113948 |
| Texas | Food employees complete an accredited food handler course, with a few exemptions (certified food managers, places that serve only pre-packaged food). A course accredited by Texas DSHS (Department of State Health Services) or by ANSI counts, so PFH qualifies. | Within 30 days of employment | 2 years when no expiry date is printed | Texas DSHS FAQ |
| Illinois | Food handler training, depending on the type of establishment. The program must be ANSI accredited or an in-house program approved by IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health). | Generally within 30 days of hire | May be required every 3 years | Illinois Department of Public Health |
| New Mexico | Food handler card from an accredited training program. Exemptions include certified food protection managers, workers who handle only non-TCS food (TCS: time/temperature control for safety) and employer programs NMED (New Mexico Environment Department) approves. | Not on the state page we read | — | New Mexico Environment Department |
| Arizona (Maricopa County) | No statewide card. Maricopa County lists the ANSI-accredited providers it takes, and NEHA's food handler certificate is on that list. Other Arizona counties: ask the county. | Ask the county | — | Maricopa County provider list |
| Hawaii | At least one employee with food handler certification on duty during operating hours. ANSI-accredited courses meet the rule. | Whenever the place is open | DOH class: 3 years | Hawaii Department of Health |
| Washington | Washington Food Worker Card, $10. The only authorized online training is foodworkercard.wa.gov, and cards from other states are not accepted, so PFH does not count here. | Before you start; up to 14 days in if your employer gives you food safety training | First card 2 years; renewals 3, or 5 with extra training | Washington State Department of Health |
| Oregon | Oregon food handler card from a provider the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) approves, $10. Cards issued in other states are not valid, PFH included. | Within 30 days of hire | 3 years | Oregon Health Authority |
| Utah | Food handler permit from a provider on the state's approved list. Cards from anyone else are not accepted, and NEHA is not on the list dated 03/26/2026. | Not on the list we read; ask your local health department | — | Utah approved provider list |
| Florida | Food service employee training through programs the state division approves (Florida Statutes 509.049). NEHA's own page tells Florida workers to check with the state for Florida-approved training. | Check with the state | — | Florida Statutes 509.049 |
| Nevada (Southern Nevada) | Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) card with its own in-person test: 70% to pass, first card $25. A card from an outside course does not replace it. | Not on the SNHD page we read | 3 years | Southern Nevada Health District |
A row means we read the rule on that state's or county's own page on October 13, 2026. A state missing from the table is a state we have no primary source for yet. That is different from a state with no rule.
Your state isn't in the table
New York comes up a lot. We have no primary-source row for New York State or New York City, so neither is printed here; the health department for the city or county where you work can tell you what applies.
Oklahoma, Alaska, Missouri and the rest get the same answer. Call the local health department, or ask the manager who hired you. They're the one the inspector talks to, and they know which card the inspector wants to see on file.
West Virginia and Georgia show up as state scopes in ANAB's directory (ANSI National Accreditation Board). A directory entry is ANAB speaking, not the state, and we have not read either state's own rule. So no row.
The longer state pages
- California food handlers card: the 30-day rule and its exemptions
- Texas food handlers card: accredited courses and the 2-year default
- Illinois food handler training: when your workplace type matters
- Arizona food handlers card: county by county
- New Mexico food handlers card: who is exempt
- Washington food worker card: the state portal
- Oregon food handlers card: approved providers only
- Utah food handlers permit: the approved list
- Southern Nevada food handler card: the in-person test
Most rows in the table turn on one question: is the course ANAB-accredited? What that listing means, and how to check a provider yourself: ANAB-accredited food handler cards.
Three kinds of rule in the table
- Accredited-course states
- California, Texas, Illinois, New Mexico, Hawaii and Maricopa County take a course from an ANSI- or ANAB-accredited provider. NEHA's PFH is one; ServSafe and StateFoodSafety are others.
- State-run cards
- Washington and Oregon issue or approve their own card, and Southern Nevada gives its own test. An outside certificate doesn't stand in.
- Approved-provider lists
- Utah and Florida keep a list. If the provider isn't on it, the card doesn't count there.
Quick state answers
Does federal law require a food handler card?
No. The FDA Food Code is a model code. It asks that employees be properly trained in food safety, including food allergy awareness (FDA Food Code 2022, 2-103.11(O)). Card laws are written by states and counties.
Does NEHA's PFH count in Florida?
NEHA's own page sends Florida workers to the state for Florida-approved training, and Florida law calls for division-approved programs (F.S. 509.049), both as of October 2026. Check the state's approved list before you buy a course.
How long after I'm hired do I have to get the card?
It depends on the state. Washington: before work, or within 14 days if your employer trains you. California, Oregon and Texas give 30 days; Illinois says generally 30 (each from the state's own page, as of October 2026).
My card is from California. Does it work in Texas?
If your California card came from an ANSI-accredited provider rather than a local program, it matches what Texas asks for: Texas DSHS accepts ANSI-accredited courses (Texas DSHS FAQ, as of October 2026). Check the date on it, and confirm with your new manager at hire.
Sources
- NEHA, Professional Food Handler Certificate (Florida note) checked Oct 13, 2026
- ANAB directory of accredited certificate issuers checked Oct 13, 2026
- FDA Food Code 2022 — 2-103.11(O), employee training checked Oct 13, 2026