St. Louis County Food Handlers Card: Missouri County Requirements (2026)

Quick answer

Required?
Yes
Deadline
Compliance is required once you work as a food handler more than 30 days in a 12-month…
Cost
No county card fee — the cost is the Hepatitis A vaccine itself, which varies by provid…
Valid for
The two-dose Hepatitis A series is a one-time requirement, not a renewable card

Requirements verified July 17, 2026 against St. Louis County Code of Ordinances

How St. Louis County differs from the rest of Missouri

St. Louis County's food handler rule is different in kind: Chapter 807 of the county code requires Hepatitis A vaccination — not a training card — for anyone employed as a food handler more than 30 days in a 12-month period. It was the first jurisdiction in Missouri to mandate the vaccine for food workers.

For the statewide picture, see the full Missouri food handlers card guide.

What St. Louis County requires

Under Chapter 807 (the county food code, in force since 2000), no person may work as a food handler for more than 30 days in any 12-month period without complying with the Hepatitis A vaccination requirement. You comply either by being fully vaccinated (including the booster given 6–12 months after the first dose) or by getting the initial shot and giving your employer a health care provider's certification that the booster will follow within a year. Employers must keep these records for your entire employment and show them to the health department on request. Medical and religious exemption processes exist through the county. A separate training-based food handler card is not the verified core of this rule — if your employer mentions one, confirm the details directly with the county health department.

Where to get your card in St. Louis County

St. Louis County Department of Public Health

Cost and validity

No county card fee — the cost is the Hepatitis A vaccine itself, which varies by provider and insurance (often free with coverage or through health clinics). The card is valid for the two-dose hepatitis a series is a one-time requirement, not a renewable card.

St. Louis County FAQ

Do I need a food handler card to work in a St. Louis County restaurant?

The county's verified food-handler-specific requirement is Hepatitis A vaccination under Chapter 807, not a training card. Your employer may still require food safety training on their own, and manager-level rules apply to establishments. Confirm any card requirement with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health.

What exactly does the Hepatitis A rule require?

If you're employed as a food handler more than 30 days in a 12-month period, you must be vaccinated against Hepatitis A — either the full series including the booster (6–12 months after the first dose), or the first dose plus a provider's certification to your employer that the booster is coming within a year. Employers keep the paperwork on file.

Are there exemptions to the vaccination requirement?

Yes. St. Louis County publishes both medical and religious exemption processes through its Department of Public Health. Talk to your employer and the county about the current forms.

Official sources

Every requirement on this page traces to one of these official sources.