Best Illinois Food Handler Certificate Courses (2026)
Illinois requires food handlers to complete training within 30 days of hire under the Illinois Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act (Public Act 098-0566), enforced by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and codified at 410 ILCS 625. For workers in restaurants, the training must be ANAB-accredited (formerly ANSI-CFP) under ASTM E2659, with a 75% pass score on the assessment. Cards are valid for three years. Holders of an Illinois Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification (FSSMC) are exempt from food handler training. Workers in non-restaurant facilities (nursing homes, daycares, schools, hospitals, long-term care) can use IDPH-approved training that doesn't require ANSI accreditation, but most providers offer the same ANAB-accredited course to both audiences. Out-of-state ANAB-accredited cards transfer to Illinois. Unpaid volunteers and workers at temporary food events are exempt from the training requirement.
Illinois Food Handler FAQ
What's the difference between Illinois restaurant and non-restaurant food handler training?
Illinois law (Public Act 098-0566) makes a distinction based on where you work. If you work in a restaurant — defined as a food establishment where 51% or more of sales come from ready-to-eat food for immediate consumption (restaurants, cafes, concession stands, buffets) — your training must be ANAB-accredited. If you work in a non-restaurant facility (nursing home, daycare, school, hospital, grocery store, long-term care), your training must be IDPH-approved but doesn't have to be ANAB-accredited. In practice, most online food handler courses are ANAB-accredited and satisfy both requirements, so an ANAB-accredited course works for either type of facility.
How long is an Illinois food handler card valid?
Three years from the date of issuance for ANAB-accredited cards (which covers most restaurant and non-restaurant workers). Recertification requires retaking an approved course and passing the assessment again — there is no separate renewal-only path. Note: non-restaurant workers technically don't need to retake training every 3 years under Illinois state law unless they change employers, but most providers issue 3-year cards by default and most employers expect renewal at 3 years.
Will my food handler card from another state work in Illinois?
Yes, if it's ANAB-accredited. Illinois accepts ANAB-accredited food handler cards from any other state under reciprocity — if your card came from an ANAB-accredited program (such as those used in California, Texas, Arizona, Florida, and most other states), it's valid in Illinois. Cards from state-only programs that are not ANAB-accredited (such as Oregon and Washington's state-issued cards) are not automatically valid in Illinois — you'd need to take an ANAB-accredited course.
Do I need a food handler card if I have an Illinois Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification (FSSMC)?
No. Holders of a valid Illinois FSSMC are exempt from food handler training under Public Act 098-0566. The FSSMC is a higher-tier certification — it's the manager-level credential covering everything in food handler training plus additional management topics, valid 5 years rather than 3. If your FSSMC expires, you'll need to either renew it or take food handler training within 30 days.
What score do I need to pass the Illinois food handler test?
75% on the assessment, per the Chicago Department of Public Health and ANAB-CFP standards. The exam is typically 40 multiple-choice questions covering foodborne illness, personal hygiene, time-temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and cleaning/sanitization. Most online courses give you two attempts to pass; if you fail twice, you'll usually need to retake the course before attempting the exam again.
Do volunteers need food handler training in Illinois?
No. Public Act 098-0566 explicitly excludes unpaid volunteers from the food handler definition — volunteers at soup kitchens, food banks, church functions, school bake sales, and similar events are not required to have food handler training under Illinois state law. Workers at temporary food events (festivals, county fairs, one-time events) are also exempt. Note that 'volunteer' specifically means unpaid — if you receive any compensation for your food service work, you're a paid food handler and the training requirement applies.