Food employees in Bexar County must complete an accredited Texas food handler course within 60 days of hire and keep certification current. Metro Health enforces the requirement during routine restaurant inspections.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 438 requires every food employee to complete a state-accredited food handler training program within 60 days of employment. Certifications are valid for two years and must be presented during Metro Health inspections of Bexar County food establishments. Approved courses are offered online and in person, typically lasting around two hours, and are issued by Texas Department of State Health Services accredited providers. At least one Certified Food Manager with a separate, more rigorous credential must be present at most permitted establishments. Repeated failure to maintain handler certifications can contribute to demerit accumulation and re-inspection consequences.
Operating without certified food handlers, missing certificate records, or failing to maintain a Certified Food Manager can lead to demerits, fines, and permit consequences from Metro Health.
See how Live Oak's food handler certification rules stack up against other locations.
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