El Paso, TX Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)

130 requires an individual desiring to work in an establishment as a food handler to obtain, from the director or designee, a food handler certificate or other proof of course completion within thirty days of the date of employment, either through the director's classroom course or an approved online/third-party course. The rule exempts workers who only sell prepackaged foods, employees of produce stands offering only whole, uncut fresh fruits and vegetables, and workers in food processing plants under 25 Tex. Admin. 2(58). 130(B), a person may opt out of the classroom course by taking the director's online course and exam, scoring at least seventy percent, and paying the required registration fee; a failing score allows a paid retake.

130(C) also lets an employee satisfy the requirement with a course accredited by the American National Standards Institute or listed on the Department of State Health Services registry, at no charge from the city. 140, the application must state name, address, sex, date of birth and other required information, pay the training course fee set in the city's adopted budget resolution, and be signed by the applicant. 150, the applicant first receives a food handler's receipt, valid only until the classroom course is attended, and the director then issues the certificate after course completion or a passing exam score.

180 requires renewal registration no more than forty-five and no less than thirty days before expiration. 190 requires the certificate to be kept on-site in the food establishment at all times, in hard copy or electronic form and readily accessible for inspection, not filed away solely in an employee's personnel file. 200 makes all fees paid under the chapter nonrefundable.