All food workers in Portland must obtain an Oregon food handler card within 30 days of hire under Oregon Administrative Rule OAR 333-175 and ORS 624.570. The card is administered locally by Multnomah County Environmental Health and is valid statewide for three years. The current fee is $10, and applicants must pass an open-book exam covering food safety basics.
Oregon food handler certification is mandated by statute (ORS 624.570) and implemented through Oregon Administrative Rule OAR Chapter 333 Division 175 ('Food Handler Training'). The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) sets the curriculum, and individual county health departments issue cards. In Portland, the cards are issued by Multnomah County Environmental Health (847 NE 19th Avenue, Suite 350B, Portland 97232). Any person who prepares, stores, or serves food in a licensed food service establishment must obtain a card within 30 days of beginning employment. The card costs $10 and is valid for 3 years. The exam is administered online at foodhandlercard.multco.us or in person, requires a passing score of 75%, and is open-book. Topics include hand washing, time/temperature controls, cross-contamination prevention, and reporting of foodborne illness symptoms. A Multnomah card is honored in every Oregon county. Restaurant operators must keep copies of all employees' active cards on file and present them on demand during routine health inspections. Failure to maintain valid cards is a routine inspection violation and can contribute to score deductions.
Working in food service without a valid card after 30 days of hire violates ORS 624.570 and OAR 333-175. Multnomah County may cite the establishment, deduct inspection points, and require corrective action. Repeat or willful non-compliance can lead to suspension of the food service facility license under OAR 333-150. Falsifying a card is a Class A misdemeanor.
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