Food Handlers Card Renewal: Expiration Rules by State
Updated July 8, 2026
Food handlers cards expire — typically after 2 or 3 years, depending on your state. And in almost every state, “renewal” is refreshingly simple: there’s no renewal form, no fee to the government, no separate exam. You just take an approved course again and get a new card.
Here’s what that looks like where you live.
The validity table at the bottom of this page shows how long cards last in every state with a mandate, pulled from the same verified data as our state guides.
The renewal process, step by step
- Check your expiration date. It’s printed on your card. In Texas, if no date is printed, the card is valid 2 years from issuance by rule.
- Retake an approved course before that date. Same rules as the first time: ANAB-accredited where accepted (Texas, most of California, Arizona counties), or the official state/county program (Washington, Oregon, the three independent California counties).
- Pay the course fee again. Usually $7–$15 for accredited online courses, $10 flat in Washington and Oregon. California employers must pay for it, including at renewal time.
- Give your employer the new certificate. Establishments keep them on file for inspectors.
The exceptions worth knowing
- Washington has a renewal ladder. Your first card lasts 2 years. Renewal cards last 3 years — or 5 years if you complete additional food safety training (like 4 hours of state-approved training or Certified Food Protection Manager training) within the 2 years before renewing. It’s the only state that rewards renewal with a longer card.
- Riverside County, California runs short. Certificates there last only 2 years, versus 3 years everywhere else in California.
- Yuma County, Arizona is yearly — the county-issued card expires after 1 year, though an unexpired ANAB certificate (typically 3 years) is accepted instead. Taking the accredited online course means renewing a third as often.
- La Paz County, Arizona charges $15 every year for its card.
- A manager certificate can cover you. In Texas, California, and Oregon, holding a valid Certified Food Protection Manager certificate (a 5-year credential) substitutes for the food handler card entirely. If you’re renewing for the third time and thinking about moving up, manager certification may be the better buy.
Renewal reminders nobody sends you
No state mails renewal notices for food handler cards. Your options: set a phone reminder for a month before expiration, or check whether your course provider sends email reminders (many do — one good reason to keep the account you created). If your card has already lapsed, don’t overthink it: just retake the course today; there’s no penalty fee or waiting period, and your new card starts fresh.
Validity periods by state (verified)
| State | Card valid for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Varies | County variations apply — see the state guide |
| Alaska | 3 years | County variations apply — see the state guide |
| Arizona | 3 years | County variations apply — see the state guide |
| California | 3 years | County variations apply — see the state guide |
| Florida | 3 years | Uniform statewide |
| Illinois | 3 years | Uniform statewide |
| Kentucky | 3 years | County variations apply — see the state guide |
| Missouri | 3 years | County variations apply — see the state guide |
| Nebraska | 2 years | County variations apply — see the state guide |
| Nevada | 3 years | County variations apply — see the state guide |
| New Jersey | 3 years | County variations apply — see the state guide |
| New Mexico | 3 years | County variations apply — see the state guide |
| Oklahoma | 3 years | County variations apply — see the state guide |
| Oregon | 3 years | County variations apply — see the state guide |
| Texas | 2 years | Uniform statewide |
| Utah | 3 years | Uniform statewide |
| Washington | 2 years | Uniform statewide |
| West Virginia | Varies | County variations apply — see the state guide |
Common questions
Do I have to renew before my card expires?
Ideally yes — an expired card means you're out of compliance the day it lapses, and health inspectors check dates. Washington lets you renew up to 60 days before expiration. Renewing early never costs you time: the new validity period starts from the new completion date.
Is renewal harder than the original course?
No. In nearly every state, renewal is identical to getting the card the first time: same course, same test, same fee. There is no separate 'renewal exam.' The exception is Washington, where documented extra training earns you a longer 5-year renewal card.
What happens if my card expires while I'm employed?
Your establishment is out of compliance and can be cited during an inspection. In practice, most inspectors treat it as a violation to correct — retake the course promptly. Some employers run their own reminders; don't count on it.
Does my renewal transfer if I move states?
No. Cards are state (or county) credentials. If you move from Texas to Oregon, your Texas card means nothing — you'll take Oregon's approved course. Moving between counties within a state is usually fine, except into San Diego, San Bernardino, or Riverside counties in California, which require their own cards.