Get Your Texas Food Handlers License Online in 2 Hours
DSHS-Approved Certificate. Starting at $10.95.
Required by Texas law for most food workers within 30 days of hire. Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) approved. Our online food handlers training course gets you fully licensed and certified in about 2 hours, from any device.
- DSHS-Approved & Statewide Compliant
- Texas 30-Day Rule Compliant
- Instant Certificate Download
- 100% Mobile-Friendly
- Valid Statewide for 2 Years
License #: 249
Which Course Should I Take?
Texas Food Handler Training
Get your Texas Food Handlers Certificate in 2 hours with our TX DSHS approved course.
$10.95
Key Features:
- DSHS-Approved & Statewide Compliant
- Complete in Just 2 Hours
- Meets Texas Food Handlers Training Standards
- Valid for 2 Years
- Mobile-Friendly & On-Demand
BUNDLE
Texas Food Handler + TABC Certification
Get your Texas Food Handlers Certificate + TABC training with this bundle.
$19.95
Key Features:
- Save with Both Certifications
- Complete Both in Under 4 Hours
- Approved by both TXDSHS and TABC
- 2-Year Validity for Each
- Content is updated and current
Texas TABC Certification
Get your Texas Alcohol Seller-Server Training in 2 hours with our TABC approved course.
$11.99
Key Features:
- TABC-Approved Seller-Server Training
- Finish in Just 2 Hours
- Instant TABC Certificate Download
- Valid Statewide for 2 Years
- Mobile-Friendly & Interactive
Is a Texas Food Handlers License Required by Law?
Yes, and the 30-Day Rule Is Strictly Enforced
Under the Texas Food Establishment Rules, most food workers in Texas must complete an accredited Texas Food Handlers training course within 30 days of starting employment. Learn more about the Texas Food Handler 30-day rule →
This applies statewide, in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and every Texas county.
If you handle food, beverages, utensils, or food-contact surfaces, you need a valid Texas food handlers license (also called a food handler certificate or food handler card). All three terms refer to the same DSHS-approved credential. Many employers require it before your first shift to avoid health inspection issues.
Without a current Food Handlers certificate, you can face:
- Being sent home from scheduled shifts
- Delays in starting work or termination
- Employer fines during inspections (which can fall back on you)
- Disqualification from most Texas hospitality jobs
ServeSmart’s DSHS-approved online course gets you fully certified in about 2 hours, from any device, starting at $10.95, so you can walk into your first shift compliant and ready.
Takes about 2 hours · Start anytime · Instant access
Texas Food Workers Trust ServeSmart
Join thousands of Texans who got their food handler card the fast, easy way.
DSHS-approved · Start anytime · Instant certificate
What's Included in Your Texas Food Handlers Course
Everything Texas requires, no unnecessary extras.
What You'll Learn
- Foodborne illness prevention — recognize bacteria, viruses, and contamination risks before they cause problems
- Time and temperature controls — master the danger zone and follow proper cooking, holding, and reheating standards
- Personal hygiene — handwashing, glove use, and illness reporting that actually prevent contamination
- Cross-contamination prevention — separate raw and ready-to-eat foods, manage allergens, follow safe handling
- Safe food handling start to finish — receiving, storage, preparation, and serving practices that pass inspection
- Cleaning and sanitizing — the difference (and why both matter), plus proper procedures for equipment and surfaces
Course Details
- Length — 2 hours (self-paced)
- Modules — 5 lessons + final exam
- Exam Questions — multiple choice
- Passing Score — 70%
- Free Retakes — yes, if you don't pass first try
- License/Certificate — PDF available immediately
- Valid For — 2 years statewide
- Access — 100% mobile-friendly
DSHS-approved · Valid statewide · Start in the next 5 minutes
Get Your Texas Food Handlers License in 3 Simple Steps
Most students are fully certified within an afternoon.
STEP 1
Enroll & Get Instant Access
Sign up in under 2 minutes, enter your details, pay securely, and start training right away. No downloads, no software needed. Works on phone, tablet, or computer.
STEP 2
Complete the Training
Go through 5 simple, self-paced modules covering everything Texas requires. Under 2 hours total. Pause and resume anytime, on any device. Easy-to-follow lessons with visuals and quick checks along the way.
STEP 3
Pass the Exam & Download Your Certificate
Pass the final exam with 70% or higher. Instantly download and print your certificate. DSHS-approved and valid for two years.
Want a more detailed walkthrough of the entire process, including how to verify your provider, what’s on the exam, and what to do after you pass? See our complete guide on how to get a Texas Food Handlers license.
One-time payment · No subscription · Free retakes if needed
Why Texas Food Workers Choose ServeSmart
DSHS-approved, proven, and trusted by Texas hospitality workers.
93+
Google Reviews
10,000+
Students certified
2 Hours
Course completion time
2 Years
Statewide validity
Trusted by Texas food workers across the state
Approved by: Texas Department of State Health Services
ServeSmart is an officially DSHS-approved Texas Food Handlers training provider. That means our course meets every legal requirement set by the Texas Department of State Health Services, so your license, issued as an official DSHS-approved certificate, is 100% valid, recognized statewide, and accepted by every Texas employer subject to food safety regulations.
Not all online food handler courses are created equal. Some providers operate without state approval, leaving students with certificates that employers won’t accept, and putting your job at risk during health inspections. With ServeSmart, you get the real thing, every time.
Provider License #: 249
Trusted by Texas food workers since 2026
Food Handler, Food Manager, or TABC — Which Do You Need?
Texas hospitality has three different credentials. Here's how to know which ones apply to you.
Texas Food Handler License
Required for: Most Food Workers
If you handle food, beverages, utensils, or food-contact surfaces in any Texas food establishment, restaurants, cafes, bars, catering, food trucks, school cafeterias, hospitals, you need this certificate. It covers food safety, hygiene, temperature control, and contamination prevention.
- Issued by: Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
- Required within: 30 days of hire
- Valid for: 2 years
- Also called: Texas food handlers card, Texas food handlers license, Texas food handlers certificate (all three terms refer to the same credential)
Texas Food Manager Certification
Required for: At Least One Manager Per Establishment
Texas requires every food establishment to have at least one Certified Food Manager on staff. This is a more advanced credential covering food safety management, training, and ServSafe-equivalent topics. Most food handlers don’t need this; only managers and supervisors typically do.
- Issued by: Various ANSI-accredited providers (different from food handlers)
- Required: Per establishment, not per employee
- Valid for: 5 years (varies by provider)
TABC Certification
Required for: Anyone Who Sells, Serves, or Delivers Alcohol
If your job involves alcohol service in Texas, bartending, serving at a restaurant that serves alcohol, retail alcohol sales, or alcohol delivery, you need TABC certification. It covers Texas alcohol laws and responsible service.
- Issued by: Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
- Required by: Most Texas employers (under safe harbor law)
- Valid for: 2 years
Working in a Restaurant That Serves Alcohol?
You probably need both Food Handler AND TABC certification. ServeSmart’s bundle gives you both for $19.95.
ServeSmart covers both TABC and Food Handler · Bundle and save
Frequently Asked Questions About TABC Certification
Everything you need to know before you enroll.
Yes, ServeSmart’s Texas Food Handlers Training is fully approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). It is valid statewide and accepted in all Texas counties, including Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and surrounding areas. No additional local course is required.
Yes. The terms “Texas food handlers license,” “Texas food handlers certificate,” and “Texas food handlers card” all refer to the same DSHS-approved credential. Different employers and websites use different terms, but they’re functionally identical. After completing an accredited course like ServeSmart’s, you’ll receive a downloadable PDF that’s valid statewide for 2 years.
The course takes under 2 hours to complete. It’s self-paced and includes 5 short modules and a final exam. You can start, stop, and resume anytime on any device.
Your Texas Food Handlers license is valid for 2 years from the date of completion. After it expires, you must retake a DSHS-approved food handler course to renew.
Most food workers in Texas are required to complete an accredited Texas Food Handler course within 30 days of starting employment, according to the Texas Food Establishment Rules. Some employers may require training before your first shift.
Yes. ServeSmart’s Texas Food Handlers course is 100% online with no in-person classes, downloads, or scheduled sessions required. It works on phones, tablets, and computers.
You must score 70% or higher to pass. If you don’t pass on your first attempt, you can review the course material and retake the exam for free.
Yes. After passing, you can instantly download and print your official Texas Food Handlers Certificate. Employers must keep proof of training on file for health inspections, so most will need a printed or digital copy.
You can log in to your ServeSmart account anytime to download and reprint your certificate for free during the 2-year validity period.
A Texas Food Handlers Certificate is required for most food employees. A Food Manager Certification is required for at least one certified manager per establishment and involves a more advanced exam from an ANSI-accredited provider. Most workers only need the Food Handlers certificate.
Yes. Because this course is DSHS-approved at the state level, it’s valid statewide. There are no city-specific versions required for Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, or any other Texas county.
If your job involves alcohol service, bartending, serving at a restaurant that serves alcohol, retail alcohol sales, or alcohol delivery, yes. TABC and Food Handlers are separate credentials covering different things. Many Texas hospitality jobs require both.
Yes. Many Texas employers cover the cost as part of their onboarding process, especially in industries with high hiring volume like restaurants and food service.
Learn More About Texas Food Handlers License
Everything you need to know, from getting certified to renewing your license.
How to Get a Texas Food Handlers License
Step-by-step walkthrough of the entire process, from confirming you need it, choosing a DSHS-approved provider, and downloading your certificate.
How Long Is a Texas Food Handlers License Valid?
Track renewal dates, avoid certification lapses, and keep your license current. Learn when to renew, what happens if it expires, and how.
Save with the TABC + Food Handlers License Bundle
Need both credentials? Get your TABC certification and Texas Food Handlers license together for $19.95 and save vs. buying separately.
The Texas Food Handler 30-Day Rule
New employees have 30 days from hire to get certified. Learn what the rule covers, what happens if you miss it, and how to stay compliant.
TABC Certification Course
If your job also involves alcohol service, you'll need TABC certification too. Learn what's covered and how to get certified.
How to Become a Bartender in Texas
New to the Texas hospitality industry? Learn the full career path, including which certifications you need.
Texas law requires it. Your employer expects it. Health inspections demand it.
Get Your Texas Food Handlers License Today
DSHS-approved online training. Finish in under 2 hours. Certified for 2 years. Just $10.95.
No subscription · One-time payment · Start in the next 5 minutes
✓ DSHS-Approved · ✓ Free Retakes · ✓ Mobile-Friendly · ✓ Valid 2 Years Statewide
Questions before you enroll? Contact our team → We’re here Monday–Friday