Texas food handler card: rules and the official online provider list

Checked Nov 15, 2026 against Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) pages.

The rules, from Texas DSHS

• Who needs it: under Texas Food Establishment Rules §228.31, "all food employees shall successfully complete an accredited food handler training course, within 30 days of employment." A food employee is someone working with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food-contact surfaces.
• Who is exempt: Certified Food Managers, establishments that only serve pre-packaged items, and temporary food establishments in DSHS jurisdiction. Some others (for example volunteers) are exempt if a certified person supervises them.
• What counts as accredited: a program approved by Texas DSHS or accredited by ANSI (now ANAB). Online courses are allowed.
• What the card must show: the program name, address, and either a TXDSHS accreditation license number or ANSI.
• Statewide validity: cards from accredited programs must be recognized statewide (Health and Safety Code §438.046). Out-of-state cards count only if the program is ANSI-accredited.
• How long it lasts: until the expiration date on the card. If there isn't one, it is valid for 2 years from the date it was issued (25 TAC §229.178).
• No local re-registration fee: DSHS says a local health jurisdiction may not charge a fee or require a separate local card when you show proof of an accredited program (SB 1089).
• Lost card: contact the training provider that issued it.
• Employer records: the food establishment must keep a certificate for each food employee on site, on paper or electronically.

All 63 DSHS-licensed online (internet) food handler programs

This is the full DSHS table of accredited internet programs as published on Nov 15, 2026, sorted by name. DSHS also lists classroom and private programs, and ANSI/ANAB-accredited programs are accepted too (see the sources below). We don't show prices or ratings. Check the provider's site.

Before you pay: make sure the site you're on matches the program name and license number above, and that the certificate it issues will show "TXDSHS" plus the license number.