Last verified: June 2026. Confirm with the Tennessee Department of Health or your county before paying.
Tennessee is more flexible than most states: there’s no worker food handler card, and the state gives each establishment a choice of three ways to demonstrate food-safety knowledge. Here’s the accurate picture.
Quick answer
Under the Tennessee Food Safety Act (TCA 68-14-701), an establishment can satisfy the food-safety-knowledge requirement in any of three ways — most commonly a certified manager. There’s no statewide food handler card for regular workers.
- Regular workers: no state-required card.
- The three options to demonstrate knowledge (pick one):
- Employ at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (valid up to 5 years), or
- Pass an inspection with no priority-item violations, or
- Have the person in charge correctly answer the inspector’s food-protection questions during a visit.
- Food code: Tennessee uses the 2009 FDA Food Code.
The “three options” — Tennessee’s distinctive approach
Most states simply require a certified manager. Tennessee instead lets an establishment choose how it proves food-safety competence. The certified-manager route is the most straightforward and reliable, which is why most establishments use it — but technically a clean inspection or a knowledgeable PIC answering questions on the spot also satisfies the law. This flexibility is the thing to understand about Tennessee.
Metro counties can add permits
While there’s no statewide worker card, some metropolitan counties impose their own food handler permit requirements after a basic training course. The notable ones are Davidson County (Nashville) and Shelby County (Memphis). If you work in a metro area, check your county health department — you may need a local permit even though the state doesn’t require one.
Allergen awareness
Tennessee doesn’t mandate allergen training, but during inspections the person in charge must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the major food allergens and their symptoms. An allergen-awareness course is a sensible way to be ready for that.
Do regular workers need a food handler card?
Not under state law. But food handler training is widely valued by employers, and a certificate strengthens a job application. If you work in Nashville or Memphis, check whether a local permit applies. For voluntary training, an ANAB-accredited course (typically valid 3 years) is the standard choice.
What to do
- Owner/manager: pick how you’ll meet the requirement — a CFPM is the most dependable route. Keep the certificate on file for inspectors.
- Regular worker: no state card required; check your metro county (Nashville/Memphis) for any local permit, and consider a voluntary course.
Tennessee at a glance
| Statewide worker card? | No |
| How to comply (choose one) | CFPM, clean inspection, or PIC answers inspector’s questions |
| CFPM valid for | Up to 5 years |
| Governing law | Tennessee Food Safety Act (TCA 68-14-701) |
| Metro permits | Davidson (Nashville), Shelby (Memphis) may require |
| Food code | 2009 FDA Food Code |
This guide is general information, not legal advice. The Tennessee Department of Health and your county are the final word.