Dearborn County, IN Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)

The requirement sits in the permit qualification clause of Dearborn County Code § 110.62(F). To qualify for a permit, the applicant must be an owner or operator of the retail food establishment or bed and breakfast establishment and must comply with the Food Handler Rule, 410 IAC 7-22, by obtaining a valid food handler certificate. The same clause also requires compliance with the subchapter, agreement to give the Health Department access to the premises, and payment of the permit fee when the application is submitted.

The code defines the people covered. A FOOD HANDLER is an owner, operator, manager or employee of a food establishment who is responsible for or oversees the storage, preparation, display or serving of food to the public. A CERTIFIED FOOD HANDLER holds a certificate recognized by the Conference for Food Protection or an equivalent nationally recognized certification program, as determined by the department.

The certificate is tied to the permit, and the permit is tied to operating. Under § 110.62(A)(1) it is unlawful to run a retail food establishment or bed and breakfast establishment in Dearborn County without first obtaining a valid permit from the Health Officer, and the permit must be posted in a conspicuous location. Permits run for one year and are applied for annually under § 110.62(B), so the qualification is tested at every renewal. A permit is not transferable, and a change of ownership under § 110.62(H) needs a new application, review, a pre-open inspection and payment of fees.

Inspectors also check the food handler rule. Section 110.64(C) tells the Health Department to weigh past violations of 410 IAC 7-22 when it decides which establishments get more frequent inspections, and § 110.64(E) treats critical violations of 410 IAC 7-22 as items the operator must correct at the time of inspection. The Board of Commissioners adopted this subchapter as Ord. 2-2004.