Louisville, KY Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)
Key Facts
- Certificate term
- 3 years, then recertification required
- Certification process
- Classroom instruction plus Board exam
- Civil penalty
- $25-$100 per day, per violation
- Enforcing agency
- Code Enforcement Board
- National exemption
- Accredited certificate under 5 years old
Summary
Louisville Metro requires every food service establishment to employ a certified food service manager holding a valid Board-issued certificate, both to operate and to remain open for business.
(A) No food service establishment shall do business in the county unless such establishment has in its employ at least one food service manager who holds a valid current certificate issued by the Board. (B) No food service establishment shall be open for business unless such establishment has on the premises a food service manager who holds a valid current certificate issued by the Board.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Louisville Metro's Board of Health requires every food service establishment to employ at least one certified food service manager holding a valid Board certificate, both to do business in Jefferson County and to be open on any given day (Louisville Metro Code § 118.02). Certification demands classroom instruction plus a passing score on a Board-administered exam (§ 118.03), and the certificate expires after three years, requiring recertification. Managers who already hold a nationally accredited Conference for Food Protection certificate less than five years old are exempt from the classroom and exam requirement (§ 118.05).
Violations & Fines
Operating without a certified manager on staff or on premises is a civil offense enforced by the Code Enforcement Board, fined $25 to $100 per day the violation continues (§ 118.99).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every food service establishment in Louisville need a certified manager?
How long does a Louisville food service manager certificate last?
Is there a shortcut for managers with outside certification?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Louisville
Compare Louisville to another location·View the Kentucky public health rules overview
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