Clark County is the only county in Nevada that requires a food handler card. The card is issued by the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) and is called the Food Handler Safety Training Card — almost everyone calls it the “health card.” This page covers exactly how to get one, how much it costs, and the one rule most guides miss.
Quick answer
- Card name: Food Handler Safety Training Card (“health card”)
- Issued by: Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD)
- Cost: $25
- Valid for: 3 years
- Where: in person, by appointment, at an SNHD office. First-time applicants cannot complete this online.
- Deadline: before you begin work. There is no grace period.
- Cities covered: Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Mesquite, Laughlin, and every other city and unincorporated area in Clark County.
The rule most guides get wrong
Nearly every guide about Nevada food handler cards says you have “30 days after being hired” to get the card. That is wrong for Clark County. SNHD’s own FAQ and the Clark County Code are clear: the card is required before you begin employment, not within 30 days of it. Your first shift is not legal until the card is in your hand.
The 30-day rule applies in some other states. It does not apply here.
SNHD office locations
SNHD tests food handlers by appointment at its main facility (280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas) and at the Fremont, Henderson, Mesquite and Laughlin public health centers. Addresses and testing days for each are in the full Nevada food handler card guide, along with a free 15-question SNHD practice test.
Bring an original, unexpired photo ID and $25. The test is 20 multiple-choice questions (70% to pass), taken in about 30 minutes. Pass and pay, and the card is issued on the spot. A retest costs $5 and cannot be taken the same day.
Renewals
Your card expires after 3 years. Renewal is $25 ($40 if the card expired within the last two years). You can renew online at every other renewal; online renewals give a printable certificate, not a new card. Otherwise, renewal is in person by appointment, with a 10-question test.
What the card does not cover
The Food Handler Safety Training Card is a worker-level credential. It does not satisfy the certified food protection manager requirement that applies to food establishment managers. If you manage a food establishment in Clark County, you also need a manager certification from an ANSI-accredited program (ServSafe, National Registry, etc.). See Nevada Food Manager Certification for details.
Do online courses work?
No. A national online food handler course (including courses from providers like StateFoodSafety, eFoodcard, or ServSafe Food Handler) does not satisfy Clark County’s requirement. SNHD requires its own in-person test. Buying an online course for Clark County is wasted money.
Outside Clark County
No food handler card is required anywhere else in Nevada. Washoe County (Reno, Sparks), Carson City, Douglas County, Lyon County — none of them issue or require a food handler card. If your employer in a rural county asks for training documentation, an ANSI-accredited online course ($7–15) covers most employer requests, but it is not a legal requirement.