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Benton County, OR Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit deadline
Within 5 days of employment (BCC 22.105)
Issuing agency
Benton County Health Department
Permit validity
3 years after passing the exam
Retest wait
At least 24 hours between exam attempts
Revocation ground
Repeated or continuing sanitation violations (BCC 22.305)
Appeal window
48 hours to request review (BCC 22.310)
Coverage
All of Benton County except opted-out cities

Summary

Every food service worker in unincorporated Benton County must get a food service worker's permit from the Health Department within 5 days of starting work, under BCC § 22.105. Permits require passing an exam on safe food handling and stay valid for 3 years, per BCC § 22.120.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Benton County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A food service worker employed in a food establishment shall obtain a food service workers permit from the Department within 5 days of employment. This section shall not apply to a temporary food service worker in an educational institution. ... An applicant for a food service worker's permit shall pass an oral or written examination conducted by the Department which shall test the applicant's knowledge of elementary acceptable sanitary practices in the preparation, service, storage and handling of food and beverages. Any person may take the examination any number of times provided at least 24 hours has lapsed between tests. Passage of this examination and completing of a health record provided by the Department will result in the issuance of a food service workers permit, which shall be valid for 3 years.

View official code

Full Breakdown

105). 005(13)). 120). 125). 015). 010).

Violations & Fines

Handling food without a current permit or letting a worker with a communicable disease handle food violates BCC 22.025 and 22.105. The Department can revoke a Food and Beverage Service Worker's Permit on reasonable evidence of repeated or continuing violations of safe food practices (BCC 22.305). A worker has 48 hours after notice of revocation to ask the Director for an administrative review, and the Director must rule within 10 days (BCC 22.310).

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon do I need a food handler permit after I'm hired in Benton County?
Within 5 days of starting work, under BCC § 22.105. The rule covers anyone who prepares, serves or handles food at a food establishment, though it exempts a temporary food service worker in an educational institution who works 2 hours or less a day and 10 hours or less a week.
What does it take to get the permit?
You pass an oral or written exam given by the Benton County Health Department testing knowledge of sanitary food handling, then complete a health record with the Department. BCC § 22.120 makes the resulting permit valid for 3 years, and you can retake a failed exam after waiting at least 24 hours.
Can the county take my permit away?
Yes. BCC § 22.305 lets the Health Department revoke a Food and Beverage Service Worker's Permit on reasonable evidence of repeated or continuing violations of accepted sanitary practices. You can request an administrative review from the Director within 48 hours of the revocation notice, and the Director must decide within 10 days under BCC § 22.310.
Does this permit apply in Corvallis or Philomath too?
The permit is valid throughout Benton County for its issuance period, but BCC § 22.015 lets an incorporated city's governing body opt its jurisdiction out of BCC Chapter 22 by separate order, so check whether Corvallis, Philomath, Adair Village or Monroe has done so before assuming county rules control there.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Benton County

Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Bird ProtectionSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue PermitsFew RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy Restrictions

All Benton County rules

Compare Benton County to another location·View the Oregon public health rules overview

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