Texas requires food employees to complete an accredited food handler course within 60 days of hire, and Travis County food permits are conditioned on staff holding current certificates from a DSHS-approved program.
Texas Health and Safety Code Section 438.046 requires every food employee at a permitted establishment to complete an accredited food handler training program within 60 days of hire. Certificates are valid for two years. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) maintains the list of approved providers. Travis County HHS verifies certificates during routine inspections of unincorporated establishments. Texas also bars cities and counties from imposing additional local food handler training requirements that exceed state law under HSC Section 438.046(d).
Employing uncertified food handlers beyond the 60-day grace period is a violation cited during TCHHS inspection and can lead to permit suspension, repeated noncompliance fines, and re-inspection fees.
Travis County, TX
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Travis County, TX
Travis County Health and Human Services inspects restaurants in unincorporated areas using the Texas Food Establishment Rules, posting violation reports onli...
See how Travis County's food handler certification rules stack up against other locations.
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