Who needs a Texas Food Handler License?
Under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 438, every food employee at a permitted food establishment must hold a valid Food Handler Certificate within 60 days of hire. That includes:
- Line cooks, prep cooks, dishwashers, expeditors
- Servers, bartenders, baristas, bussers
- Hosts who handle table-side items (bread, water, condiments)
- Catering and food-truck staff
Managers usually also need a separate Certified Food Manager credential (a 7- to 8-hour course) — that's a different license and is required at least one per establishment in Houston.
How much does it cost?
Texas caps the price of a DSHS-accredited Food Handler course at $15. In practice, most online providers charge $7 to $10. The certificate itself is free once you pass — providers email and let you download a PDF.
How to get your license: 5 steps
- Pick a DSHS-accredited provider. Only courses on the official Texas Department of State Health Services accredited list count. See our list below.
- Take the ~2-hour online course. Topics include personal hygiene, cross-contamination, time and temperature control, allergens, and cleaning & sanitizing.
- Pass the final exam. Usually 25–40 multiple-choice questions, 70% to pass. Most providers let you retake it for free.
- Download your certificate. You'll get a PDF immediately. Print a copy for your employer's records and keep the original with you.
- Set a renewal reminder. The license expires 2 years from the issue date — let it lapse and you can't legally work food service in Texas until you re-take the course.
State-approved providers
These are the most-used DSHS-accredited online providers. Always confirm a provider is currently accredited on the DSHS accredited list before paying.
- Learn2Serve by 360training — ~$7, instant certificate, English & Spanish.
- StateFoodSafety — ~$7, mobile-friendly, free retakes.
- eFoodHandlers — ~$7, no exam time limit.
- ServSafe (National Restaurant Association) — ~$15, brand recognized nationally.
- Always Food Safe — ~$10, ANAB-accredited.
Course content — what you'll learn
- Personal hygiene, handwashing, and reporting illness
- Preventing cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat foods
- Time and temperature control for safety (TCS) foods — the 41°F to 135°F danger zone
- Allergens — the "Big 9" and how to communicate them to guests
- Cleaning vs. sanitizing, and proper chemical concentrations
- Pest control basics
Houston-specific notes
Harris County Public Health and the City of Houston Bureau of Consumer Health Services both inspect Houston restaurants. Inspectors will ask to see a current Food Handler Certificate for every employee on shift — keep printed copies in a binder by the office, plus the PDFs in a shared folder. Missing or expired certificates are the most common avoidable violation we see.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Texas Food Handler License the same as ServSafe?
ServSafe Food Handler is one DSHS-accredited option, but not the only one. Any course on the DSHS accredited list satisfies the law.
Is the course offered in Spanish?
Yes — every accredited provider must offer English and Spanish.
What if my certificate is from another state?
Out-of-state food handler cards are not automatically valid in Texas. You must take a Texas DSHS-accredited course.
What happens if it expires?
You stop being legally allowed to handle food until you re-take the course. Renewal is the same ~2-hour course at the same ~$7–$15 price.