Philadelphia, PA Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)
Key Facts
- State rule
- 7 Pa. Code §46.504
- Required role
- Certified Food Protection Manager
- Approved exam
- ServSafe and ANSI peers
- Renewal
- Every five years
- Line-worker card
- Not required by Philly
Summary
Pennsylvania Food Code 7 Pa. Code §46.504 requires every retail food establishment to employ at least one ANSI-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager. PDPH accepts ServSafe and other approved exams. No separate Philadelphia food-handler card is required for line workers.
§ 46.4. Adoption of Model Food Code. The provisions, terms, procedures, appendices and standards in the current edition of the Model Food Code are adopted to the extent they do not conflict with one or more of the following: (1) The Retail Food Facility Safety Act. (2) The Food Safety Act. (3) This chapter. § 46.2. Scope. This chapter establishes definitions; sets standards for management and personnel, food operations and equipment and facilities; and provides for retail food facility plan review, licensing, inspection and employee restriction.
Full Breakdown
Pennsylvania adopted the FDA Model Food Code through 7 Pa. Code Chapter 46, which requires every retail food facility to have an ANSI-CFP-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on staff under §46.504. The CFPM must complete an approved exam such as ServSafe, NRFSP, Prometric, or AAA Above Training and recertify every five years. Philadelphia Department of Public Health Office of Food Protection enforces the rule during routine inspections, treating absence of a CFPM as a priority-foundation violation. Unlike some cities, Philadelphia does not issue a separate municipal food-handler card for line cooks or servers, though many operators voluntarily train staff on basics. Mobile food vendors must meet the same CFPM rule.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a current CFPM is a §6-301 priority-foundation violation; correction is required by the next inspection cycle, with fines from $100 to $2,000 per day for non-compliance. Repeat absences can support food-establishment license suspension by PDPH.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all my Philadelphia food workers need a card?
Which CFPM exams does Philadelphia accept?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Philadelphia
Compare Philadelphia to another location·View the Pennsylvania public health rules overview
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