Arkansas Food Handlers Card: What's Actually Required (2026)
Quick answer
- Required?
- No — there is no government mandate in Arkansas
- Employers
- May still require food safety training as a job condition
- Voluntary
- An ANAB-accredited course typically costs $10–$15 online
Requirements verified July 17, 2026 against Arkansas Department of Health
No — Arkansas does not require food handler cards for food workers. The only state training mandate is at the manager level: since September 7, 2019, every retail food establishment must have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager on staff.
Arkansas does not require food handler cards. No state law, no county rule — if a website tells you an "Arkansas food handler permit" is legally required, it is marketing, not law. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) regulates food establishments statewide, and its Rules Pertaining to Retail Food Establishments put no training mandate on line-level workers like cooks, servers, or dishwashers.
What Arkansas does require is one Certified Food Protection Manager per retail food establishment, a rule ADH adopted from the FDA Food Code effective September 7, 2019. That certification is a proctored, accredited manager exam — a responsibility that falls on your employer, not you. Still, plenty of Arkansas employers ask new hires for a food safety certificate, so a voluntary ANAB-accredited course ($7–$15, about two hours online) can be a cheap way to stand out when applying for restaurant jobs.
Who needs a food handler card in Arkansas?
Nobody is required by Arkansas law to hold a food handler card. Your employer may still ask you to complete a food safety course as a condition of hire, and many Arkansas restaurants do. The one person who must be certified is the establishment's Certified Food Protection Manager — an employee with supervisory authority, not a line worker.
Why get certified anyway?
Even without a legal mandate in Arkansas, many employers require food safety training as a hiring condition, and a completed ANAB-accredited food handler course is a real advantage when applying for restaurant jobs. Online courses typically cost $10–$15 and take under two hours.
Recognized training options
Do Arkansas establishments also need a certified food manager?
Yes. Under the ADH Rules Pertaining to Retail Food Establishments, since September 7, 2019 every retail food establishment must have at least one employee with supervisory and management authority who is a Certified Food Protection Manager through an accredited program (existing establishments had until September 7, 2020). Establishments that sell only prepackaged food or no TCS foods are exempt.
If you're aiming for a supervisor role, see our guide to food manager certification — it's a different credential with a proctored exam and higher pay potential.
Not sure what applies to you? Use the requirements checker or read how to get a food handlers card for the general process.
Arkansas food handler card FAQ
Do I need a food handlers card in Arkansas?
No. Arkansas has no state or county law requiring food workers to hold a food handler card or certificate. The Arkansas Department of Health confirms training for line workers is not mandated. Your employer can still require a course as their own hiring policy.
Does an Arkansas restaurant need a certified food manager?
Yes. Since September 7, 2019, the ADH Rules Pertaining to Retail Food Establishments require at least one Certified Food Protection Manager with supervisory authority per establishment, certified through an accredited exam program on the standard 5-year cycle. Establishments handling only prepackaged or non-TCS food are exempt.
Is a voluntary food handler course worth it in Arkansas?
Often, yes. Many Arkansas employers require food safety training on their own, and showing up with an ANAB-accredited certificate — about $7–$15 and two hours online — can make hiring faster. Just know it is an employer preference, not a legal requirement.
Do any Arkansas counties require food handler cards?
No. Unlike some states where individual counties run card programs, no Arkansas county or city health authority mandates food handler cards. The Arkansas Department of Health sets food safety rules statewide.
Official sources
Every requirement on this page traces to one of these official sources.
- Food Protection FAQ — Arkansas Department of Health