If you work in food service in Harris County, you need a Texas food handler card. Good news: under Texas Senate Bill 1089, one state-approved card is valid in every city and county in Texas — including Houston. There is no separate Harris County-specific card, no local registration fee, and no second course to take.
Quick answer
- Do I need a Harris County food handler card? Yes — but it is a Texas food handler card, not a county-specific one.
- Cost: $6–$15 for an online course
- Time: about 1.5–2 hours online
- Valid for: 2 years
- Deadline: within 30 days of being hired (25 TAC § 228.31(d))
- Accepted everywhere: Houston, Pasadena, Baytown, Humble, and other Harris County cities, and every other city and county in Texas
Why there is no separate Harris County card
Before 2011, some Texas cities and counties charged additional “registration” fees on top of a food handler training course. Texas Senate Bill 1089 eliminated that practice. Today, a food handler card from any Texas DSHS-accredited or ANAB-accredited provider is valid statewide. The Houston Health Department does not issue its own food handler card for individual workers — it enforces state standards for food establishments, but the card you get from an accredited course is the card you need.
If anyone in Houston tells you to pay the city or county a separate fee for a “Houston food handler card” or “Harris County health card,” that is not a current legal requirement for a standard DSHS-accredited card.
What counts as an accredited course?
Texas DSHS licenses food handler training programs. A course is acceptable if it is:
- Licensed by Texas DSHS under 25 TAC § 228, or
- Accredited by ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board)
The major online providers (StateFoodSafety, eFoodcard, ServSafe Food Handler, 360training) all meet this standard. Always check that the provider names DSHS licensing or ANAB accreditation before paying.
How long do you have?
Texas gives new hires 30 days from their start date to complete the food handler training (25 TAC § 228.31(d)). Most online courses can be completed the same day, so there is little reason to wait.
Food manager certification in Harris County
The food handler card is a worker-level credential. If you manage a food establishment, you may also need a certified food protection manager (CFPM) certification from an ANSI-accredited program (ServSafe Manager, National Registry, Prometric). That is a separate exam-based credential, different from the food handler card. See Texas food manager certification for details.
← Back to the full Texas food handler card page