Who Needs a Florida Food Handler Card?
If you are employed in the food service industry in Florida, and your establishment is licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Division of Hotels & Restaurants, you are required to obtain a Florida Food Handler Card. This essential certification demonstrates your commitment to food safety and is mandated for all food service employees under Section 509.049 of the Florida Statutes. You must complete food safety training from a DBPR-approved provider like Premier Food Safety and secure your card within 60 days of your hiring date. This card remains valid for 3 years, ensuring ongoing food safety compliance.
What Exactly is the Florida Food Handler Card?
The Florida Food Handler Card is your official confirmation of completing a state-approved food safety training program. As stipulated by rule 61C-4.023, F.A.C., this card proves you’ve undergone the necessary education to handle food safely in Florida’s food service industry. Obtaining your card through a premier food safety program is a crucial step in your food service career, ensuring you meet all regulatory requirements.
Who Qualifies as a Food Handler in Florida?
In Florida, a food handler is broadly defined as anyone involved in the process of food service to the public within DBPR-regulated establishments. This includes individuals responsible for any stage from storage and preparation to the display and serving of food. Ensuring all food handlers receive premier food safety training is vital for maintaining health standards and preventing foodborne illnesses in Florida.
What’s the Deadline for Getting My Food Handler Card?
New food service employees in Florida must obtain their Food Handler Card within 60 days from their date of hire. Prompt certification through a premier food safety course is essential to remain compliant with Florida regulations and to ensure you’re practicing safe food handling from day one.
How Can I Enroll in Training to Get My Florida Food Handler Card?
Getting your Florida Food Handler Card is straightforward. You can easily purchase and access online training by calling us toll-free at 800-676-3121, or by registering directly through our website registration page. Premier Food Safety makes it convenient to get certified and start your career in the food service industry with confidence.
Is Premier Food Safety a DBPR-Approved Training Provider?
Yes! Premier Food Safety, in partnership with The New Habit (Florida Provider Number: 3913435), is a fully approved provider by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Our program is specifically designed to meet all state requirements, ensuring you receive premier food safety education and a valid Florida Food Handler Card upon completion. You can trust our certification to be recognized and accepted throughout Florida.
Do I Need to Present My Florida Food Handler Card to the DBPR?
No, you do not need to physically take your Florida Food Handler Card to the DBPR. Once you successfully complete your training and pass the exam with Premier Food Safety, we handle the reporting for you. We directly submit your certification results to the Florida DBPR database of certified food service professionals, making the process seamless and hassle-free for you.
Do I Need to Be Employed to Take the Food Handler Training?
Yes, employment in a Florida food service establishment is a prerequisite for the training to be valid. The name of your employing business is a required detail that must be printed on your certificate. This ensures the premier food safety training is directly linked to your workplace and your role in maintaining food safety standards there.
How Long Does the Food Handler Training Take?
The online Florida Food Handler training program offered by Premier Food Safety is designed to be efficient and comprehensive. It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete the training modules, followed by a certification exam. This allows you to quickly gain the necessary knowledge and get certified without extensive time commitments.
Is There an Exam After the Training?
Yes, to ensure you’ve grasped the essential premier food safety principles, there is an exam at the end of the training. The exam consists of 10 questions, and you need to achieve a score of 70% or higher to pass and receive your Florida Food Handler Card.
What If I Don’t Pass the Exam on My First Try?
Don’t worry! At Premier Food Safety, we offer unlimited exam attempts. You can retake the exam as many times as needed until you successfully pass. This ensures you have every opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of premier food safety practices and obtain your certification.
Is a Food Handler Card from Another State Valid in Florida?
No, a food handler card from another state is not valid in Florida if your establishment is licensed by the DBPR. To comply with Florida law, you must obtain a Florida Food Handler Card specifically from a DBPR-approved training provider like Premier Food Safety. Our Florida-specific training ensures you’re educated on the state’s unique food safety regulations.
What Information Will Be Included on My Florida Food Handler Card?
Your Florida Food Handler certificate from Premier Food Safety will contain all the necessary information to verify your certification. This includes:
- Your Full Name
- Your Date of Birth
- The Name of Your Employing Business
- The Name of the Certified Manager overseeing the training
- The Official Provider Number
- The Date of Training Completion
- Your Certificate Expiration Date
This detailed information ensures your premier food safety certification is clearly and officially documented.
When Will I Receive My Food Handler Certificate?
You will gain immediate access to your Food Handler Card and certificate of completion as soon as you successfully finish the training and pass the final exam with a score of 70% or higher. With Premier Food Safety, you can instantly print your certificate, providing immediate proof of your premier food safety certification.
Do I Have to Complete the Training in One Sitting?
No, Premier Food Safety offers flexible learning. You can start and stop the training at your convenience. Feel free to review a few chapters, log out, and resume your training at another time. Our system saves your progress automatically, allowing you to learn at your own pace and convenience while still receiving premier food safety education.
What If I Don’t Have a Computer to Complete the Training?
The Premier Food Safety training is fully mobile-friendly. You can complete the entire course comfortably from your smartphone or tablet, provided you have a stable internet connection and use one of our recommended browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. If you lack consistent access to a computer or personal mobile device, consider these options:
- Utilize computers at your local public library.
- Ask a friend or family member if you can borrow their computer briefly.
- Speak with your supervisor about using a work computer for this required training.
We strive to make premier food safety training accessible to everyone.
What If I Don’t Have a Printer to Print My Certificate?
If you complete your premier food safety training online and pass the exam but lack printer access at home, we offer a solution. For a small additional fee, Premier Food Safety can mail you a printed copy of your Food Handler Certificate. Please contact our customer service for details and to arrange for a mailed certificate.
How Long is the Florida Food Handler Certificate Valid?
Your Florida Food Handler Card, obtained through premier food safety training, is valid for a period of 3 years from the date of issuance. You will need to renew your certification after this period to maintain continuous compliance with Florida’s food safety regulations.
If I Work at Multiple Food Establishments, Do I Need Multiple Cards?
No. A single Florida Food Handler Card obtained through an approved premier food safety program, such as ours, covers you for any food service establishment licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Florida. Your certification fulfills the training criteria regardless of how many establishments you work for.
What Happens If I Change Jobs?
Your Florida Food Handler certificate remains valid for the full 3-year certification period even if you change employers. However, if you wish to update the business name on your certificate to reflect your new employment, Premier Food Safety can assist you. Please call our office to request a business name change for a nominal fee of $2.
Where Can I Find Detailed Information About Florida Food Safety Law?
For comprehensive details about the current legal requirements, please refer to section 509.049 of the Florida Statutes. This section outlines the Florida legal guidelines for food safety for public lodging, public food establishments, and membership campgrounds. Staying informed about these regulations is a part of maintaining premier food safety standards.
What Records Is My Employer Required to Keep Regarding Food Handler Certificates?
Your employer is required to maintain records verifying that all food service employees have completed a food safety course from an accredited provider. Typically, your employer will request a copy of your Food Handler Certificate for their records. Choosing premier food safety training helps ensure your employer is meeting these compliance requirements and fostering a safe food handling environment.
