TEXAS TABC CERTIFICATION TRAINING

Getting a Texas food handlers license (often called a food handler's card or permit) in Texas involves: 

1. Taking a food handler course that covers basic food safety principles 
2. Passing an examination 
3. Obtaining the food handlers certification Texas  

Texas requires that food service employees complete an accredited food handler training course within 30 days of starting employment. An accredited food handler training program means it’s approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS) or the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). 

After taking the accredited course and passing the course exam, you can get your certificate. 

To obtain your Texas food handlers certificate, TIPS allows you to print your certificate immediately, so you can get to work fast. 

TABC stands for Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Those that work in environments that serve or sell alcoholic beverages are familiar with the state's requirement for a TABC license or permit for their business and the benefits of seller/server training for staff.

To have a TABC permit means that you have completed an alcohol safety program that meets the standards set forth in Texas state regulations for alcohol sales and service. Although Texas is a voluntary state, meaning that the state does not require alcohol server training, there may be perks to going through approved alcohol server training. TIPS is approved as a provider in this state. By completing a TIPS alcohol course, you will receive both your TIPS certification and your TABC certification. 

Our TIPS TABC certification + food handler course package is $38 and includes:  

1. TIPS TABC Seller/Server Training

• Topics include legal information, alcohol education, and intervention skills training
• Improve customer service and situational management skills
• No course timer so you can complete the course at your own pace
• Download your certificate of completion right away and renew every 2 years

2. Learn2Serve Food Handler Training

• ANAB-accredited training course
• Complete the course in just 2 hours
• Print your certificate of completion right away
• Use it to show proof of food safety training 

The Texas food handler card or certificate is valid up to the expiration date listed on the card or certificate. If the card or certificate does not have an expiration date, then the card or certificate is valid for two (2) years from the date of issuance under 25 TAC §229.178. 

The easiest way to earn your TABC Texas food handlers certificate is to take an online course. After passing the exam for the course, your food handlers certificate for Texas will be available immediately. 

Online training can provide an affordable and effective solution for food safety and alcohol compliance at all levels. Taking a course online allows you to access the course at any time and complete it at your own pace.

TXDSHS requires the food handler program to cover 2 hours of material. However, that is the minimum; you can take longer than that if you prefer. With our online food handler course, we will give you the time you need to cover all the material. 

TXDSHS, under Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) §228.31, requires that ‘…all food employees shall successfully complete an accredited food handler training course.” You’re considered a food employee, under the FDA, if you work with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food-contact surfaces. 

This means that whether you’re preparing food, serving food, or bussing tables, you’ll need to get your food handlers permit.

Regardless of whether you’re employed in a food handling job, you can earn your food handlers license in Texas at any age. Anyone working as a food handler in Texas must complete their Texas food handler training and earn their certificate within the first 30 days of employment, regardless of age. 

You can complete your TABC and food handlers certification through our courses above. TIPS is an accredited provider for TABC and food handlers certification in Texas.

It takes about three hours to complete the TIPS food handlers server certification.

The state of Texas does not require TABC training to serve or sell alcohol, but it is recommended for employees to complete the course.