How to get a Food Handlers Permit in Illinois?

In the state of Illinois, obtaining a food handlers permit involves completing a training program that is either ANSI accredited or approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). This training is mandatory for anyone working with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food-contact surfaces. The training can be administered online, in a classroom, by live or remote trainers, and by certified food service sanitation managers. Upon successful completion of the training, a certificate is issued which is valid for three years.

1. Determine Your Eligibility

• Purpose: To understand who is required to have food handler training in Illinois.
• Instructions: In Illinois, anyone working with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food-contact surfaces is considered a food handler. This includes employees in restaurants and non-restaurant food establishments. However, those with a valid Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification or unpaid volunteers are exempted from this requirement.

2. Choose a Training Program

• Purpose: To select an appropriate food handler training program that is either ANSI accredited or approved by the IDPH.
• Instructions: There are several organizations that offer Food Handler Training Certificate Programs. Some of these include AAA Food Handler, 123 Premier Food Safety, A Plus Food Training L.L.C., ACE Food Handler, and Altametrics. It's important to ensure that the program you choose is accredited and recognized in Illinois. You can find a list of ANSI accredited training programs on the IDPH and ANSI websites.

3. Complete the Training

• Purpose: To gain the necessary knowledge and skills to handle food safely.
• Estimated Cost: The cost of the training can vary depending on the provider. For example, in McLean County, the cost is approximately $10 per trainee.
• Instructions: The training can be administered online, in a classroom, by live or remote trainers, and by certified food service sanitation managers. Upon passing the assessment, the food handler certificate is available to be printed immediately.

4. Obtain Your Certificate

• Purpose: To provide proof of your successful completion of the food handler training.
• Instructions: After successfully completing the training and passing the assessment, you can print your food handler certificate immediately. This certificate is valid for three years.

Useful Information Source Links:

• IDPH Food Handler Training
• Frequently-Asked Questions
• ANSI Accredited Training Programs

FAQs:

• Who is considered a food handler in Illinois? Anyone working with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food-contact surfaces is considered a food handler in Illinois.
• What is the validity of the food handler certificate? The food handler certificate is valid for three years.
• Can the food handler certificate be transferred between employers? For restaurant food handlers, the certificate is valid throughout the state unless the training was obtained at a business through an IDPH-approved internal training program. Non-restaurant training is not transferable between employers.
• Who is exempted from food handler training? Those with a valid Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification or unpaid volunteers are exempted from food handler training.

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