Food Handler Certification

Food Handler is a “food employee”: An individual working with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food contact surfaces. All food employees shall successfully complete a food handler course within 60 days of employment.

The food establishment shall maintain on premises a certificate of completion of the food handler course for each food employee. The requirement to complete a food handler training course shall be effective September 1, 2016.

• What You Need
• Apply Online
• Apply in Person
• Apply by Mail
• Apply by Email
• Conditions & Exceptions
• Additional Resources

• Email address;
• Method of payment (money order, business check, cashier’s check, credit/debit cards)

Complete the online registration form and select a preferred class date.

Once you have confirmed your reservation online, an invoice will be sent to you within 2 business days via email. Payment must be received no later than 7 days before the scheduled class date by mail or 2 days before the class if you make the payment in person or online.

Make sure you include the account and invoice numbers to complete the online transaction.

Payments can be accepted at one of the following locations:

Mailing Address:

Houston Department of Health and Human Services
P.O. Box 300008
Houston, TX 77230-0008

Physical Addresses:

Houston Health Department
8000 N. Stadium Drive
Environmental Services Office, 1st floor
Houston, TX 77054
Office hours: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Apply in person at the Environmental Permits Office at 8000 North Stadium first floor (77054)

Complete the application and mail to the address on the application.

Complete the application and fax it to the Environmental Permits Office at 832.393.5208.

Current languages offered are English and Spanish. Class registration may be completed over the phone at 832.393.5100, between 7:30 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday.