South Dakota Food Handlers Card: What's Actually Required (2026)
Quick answer
- Required?
- No — there is no government mandate in South Dakota
- 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 South Dakota Department of Health
No — South Dakota has no food handler card requirement for food workers. State rule ARSD 44:02:07:03 requires at least one certified food service manager per licensed food service establishment, earned through an 8-hour approved training and certification program.
South Dakota does not require food handler cards. The Department of Health, which licenses food service establishments statewide, has no card or mandatory course for line workers, and no local government in the state fills that gap with its own program. Employer policies are the only training requirements you will meet — a voluntary ANAB-accredited course ($7–$15, about two hours online) satisfies them.
The state's one training rule is ARSD 44:02:07:03: every licensed food service establishment must have at least one staff member who has completed an approved 8-hour food service training and certification program. The 8-hour format is South Dakota's specific spin on the manager credential — ANAB-CFP accredited exams are accepted, the Department of Health publishes the approved provider list, and certifications generally run about 5 years under the providers' terms. That obligation belongs to the establishment, not to the people working the line.
Who needs a food handler card in South Dakota?
No South Dakota food worker needs a handler card — line-staff training is employer discretion, and no county or city in the state adds a card mandate. The requirement is per establishment: under ARSD 44:02:07:03, each licensed food service establishment must have at least one person on staff who has passed an approved 8-hour food service training and certification program. ANAB-CFP accredited exams are accepted.
Why get certified anyway?
Even without a legal mandate in South Dakota, 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 South Dakota establishments also need a certified food manager?
Yes. ARSD 44:02:07:03 requires at least one person on staff at each licensed food service establishment who has passed an 8-hour food service training and certification program. ANAB-CFP accredited exams are accepted, and the Department of Health publishes an approved provider list. Certifications are generally valid around 5 years under the providers' terms, though the rule itself does not specify a period.
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.
South Dakota food handler card FAQ
Do I need a food handlers card in South Dakota?
No. South Dakota requires no food handler card at the state level, and no county or city mandate exists either. If your employer wants training, a voluntary ANAB-accredited course costs about $7–$15 and takes around two hours online.
What does South Dakota require instead of handler cards?
One certified food service manager per licensed establishment, under ARSD 44:02:07:03. The credential comes from an approved 8-hour food service training and certification program — a notably specific format — with ANAB-CFP accredited exams accepted. The SD Department of Health lists approved providers.
How long does the South Dakota manager certification last?
The rule does not set a fixed term; validity follows the certifying program's terms, generally about 5 years for accredited providers. Check your certificate's expiration and the provider's renewal process.
Who inspects restaurants in South Dakota?
The South Dakota Department of Health handles food service licensure and inspections statewide under its food service codes. It issues no worker-level cards — its only training requirement is the per-establishment certified manager.
Official sources
Every requirement on this page traces to one of these official sources.
- Food Service Manager Training — South Dakota Department of Health
- Food Service Licensure and Codes — South Dakota Department of Health