Lancaster County (Lincoln) Food Handlers Card: Nebraska County Requirements (2026)

Quick answer

Required?
Yes
Deadline
Required to work as a food handler — complete the course when you start
Cost
Free — the training and handler permit have no charge
Valid for
2 years

Requirements verified July 17, 2026 against Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department

How Lancaster County (Lincoln) differs from the rest of Nebraska

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department requires food handler permits and issues them at no cost through its own online training built with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln — the only course it accepts.

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

What Lancaster County (Lincoln) requires

Food workers under LLCHD jurisdiction need a food handler permit, earned by completing the county-sponsored training at foodhandlers.unl.edu. Permits are tiered to your duties — Serve/Clean, Prep/Cook, and Restricted/Shift Manager levels. Once you finish, you can print your permit any time until it expires. Establishments also need a Food Protection Manager permit holder (3-year, $30, based on an ANSI/CFP exam) — a separate credential from the free handler permit.

Where to get your card in Lancaster County (Lincoln)

UNL Food Handler Training (official, free)

Cost and validity

Free — the training and handler permit have no charge (the Food Protection Manager permit is $30). The card is valid for 2 years.

Lancaster County (Lincoln) FAQ

How much does the Lincoln food handler permit cost?

Nothing. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department issues food handler permits at no cost through the training at foodhandlers.unl.edu, and you can reprint your permit free any time before it expires. Only the manager-level Food Protection Manager permit carries a fee ($30).

Can I use a national online food handler certificate in Lincoln?

No. Only the county-sponsored UNL course is accepted for the Lincoln-Lancaster food handler permit. Since the official course is free, there's no reason to pay a third-party provider anyway.

What are the permit levels in Lincoln?

The training is tiered to your job: Serve/Clean, Prep/Cook, and Restricted/Shift Manager. Take the level that matches your duties — your employer can tell you which one you need.

Official sources

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