Florida Food Handlers Certificate

Florida Food Handler Details

Does the state of florida require a food handlers certificate?

Title XXXIII, Chapter 509.049 of Florida Statutes requires that all employees responsible for food storage, preparation, display, or service must complete a state-approved food service employee training program. Employees must receive training within 60 days of hire. 

Give your employer a copy of your certificate once you've printed it so they can keep it on hand.

Where can i find more information about food handlers certification in Florida?

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Have more questions about food handler training? Check out Florida Health's Food Safety and Sanitation page. Additional questions about food handler training may be emailed to the Food Safety Program at HSE.zzzzFeedback@flhealth.gov.

how can i use the florida food handlers certificate?

You can distribute physical and electronic copies of your Responsible Training Food Handlers Certificate to current and prospective employers, government agencies, or anyone else to demonstrate that you have met the requirements laid out in the ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) ANSI/ASTM E2659-18 standard practice for certificate programs. According to this program, when referring to yourself as a certificate holder, you may say that you are a "Responsible Training Food Handler Certificate Recipient" or a "Holder of a Responsible Training Food Handler Certificate." You may not say that you are "certified,"certificated," licensed," "registered," or "accredited."

what jobs can i get in florida with a food handlers certification?

You can work in a variety of establishments with your food handlers certificate. And there are multiple positions within each establishment. These may include, food servers, cooks, chefs, food runners, bussers, and dish washers.

According to the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, in 2022 there were 1,032,400 restaurant and food service jobs in Florida, which translates to 11% of total employment. And that number is projected to grow 17.7% by the year 2030.

Learn more about the Food Handlers Course from the Frequently Asked Questions.