Is It A Big Deal If My Food Handler Certificate Lapses?
You see the headlines all the time: “255 people reported sick and 12 hospitalized after eating at _____!” This particular case, due to salmonella infection, resulted in at least one lawsuit and plenty of lost reputation. But how much worse would this fallout be if the restaurant’s servers didn’t have current Texas Food Handler Certificates?
Even without contamination, food establishments are generally inspected twice a year. Inspectors will always check for valid Texas Food Handler Certifications for all employees. In fact, an establishment in Lubbock was recently shut down, in part because all employees could not show valid, current certification.=
You don’t want to be the reason the place you work gets in trouble with the health department!
Food Handlers Card Expiration
In the hectic bustle of a food service environment, it can be easy to lose track of your certification, let alone practice perfect food safety every day. Keeping your food handlers certificate current provides the reminders everyone needs. And should the worst happen, it also makes it much easier to show the public and the authorities that standard food service practices were followed.
Important: How long does a food handler’s card last? Texas Food Handler certificates are valid for two (2) years from the date of issue. After two years, they permanently expire. When or before your Texas Food Handler certificate expires, you must complete an accredited course again and be issued a new certificate.
Renewing a Food Handlers Certificate
There are several compelling reasons to renew your certification before it expires: Your training helps prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses, protecting public health. Having your food handlers card is a legal requirement in Texas. Lapsed certifications can lead to health department fines, bad publicity, and even closure. And of course, knowing your certification is valid offers reassurance for you and your employer.
How to Renew at CertifiedOnTheFly.com
Certified On The Fly makes renewing your Texas Food Handlers Certification incredibly convenient. Here’s how:
- Enroll Online: Visit our website and enroll in the Texas Food Handler course. The course costs only $9.99! If you’ve used our website before, then please log in to your account and re-enroll.
- Complete the course: Our streamlined course is easy to follow and can be completed at your own pace. You can review the material as quickly as you’d like. And best of all, there’s no test! The Texas Department of State Health Services doesn’t require one.
- Receive your new certificate: Your official Texas Food Handlers certificate will be emailed to you immediately. You can also log in to your account to download or print it at any time.
Need a hard copy? No problem! Order hard copies by logging in to your account, or include them when you enroll.
Texas Food Handler Card Renewal
As bad as it would be for someone you serve to end up seriously sick from food contamination, it would be far worse if your training isn’t up-to-date. Part of doing your best is keeping your certification current. Not only is it the law, but it also goes a long way in giving you peace of mind and keeping your customers safe.
Letting your certification lapse, even by a day, is a big problem for you and everyone you work with. Keep your Texas Food Handler certification current with Certified On The Fly.
Renew Your Texas Food Handler Certification Online With Certified On The Fly
More questions? Check out the Certified On The Fly FAQ page!
Ready to renew? Get started by enrolling now and make sure your food safety knowledge is up-to-date today!
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