Food Handler Testing

menu html5 by Css3Menu.com

MCHD Logo

Food Handler Testing

To protect, promote and improve the health of our community

All people who work in food service establishments in Madison County are required to have a food handler card issued by the Health Department. Restaurants and other establishments must keep a copy of the card on file for every employee that handles food and drink. This includes waiters, bartenders, dishwashers, cooks, and kitchen workers. Certified food managers are not required to have a food handler card. Please note that this test and certification is valid in Madison County, Kentucky only and may not be recognized by other county health departments. It is your responsibility to check acceptability with the health department in your county.

Applicants for Food Handler Testing are given a study booklet to review, then a short written multiple-choice test. Topics include food preparation, cooking and holding temperatures, dishwashing and sanitation, hand washing procedures, chemical storage, and other information related to safe storage, preparation, and serving of food and drink. Effective July 1, 2019, tests cost $15.00, and permits are good for 3 years. Duplicate or replacement cards can be purchased for $5.00 per card.

MCHD offers Food Handler Testing at the Environmental Health office on 216 Boggs Lane in Richmond, and at the Martha Pride Community Health Center on 1001 Ace Drive in Berea.

Richmond hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm. 
Berea hours are Monday through Wednesday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Call 859-626-4249 for more information


Online Foodhandlers Course

The Food Handler test and certificate is now available online, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week!

The course fee is paid through PayPal with either a PayPal account or a credit/debit card. You do NOT have to have a PayPal account to use a credit card; the payment is simply processed through PayPal. If you pay the fee and cannot complete the course online, bring a printout of your PayPal transaction to our office to complete it in person.

  1. Download and study the Food Handler Manual. This is the same manual that you would study in our office. As an alternative, you may also watch the video below.
  2. When you are ready, take the test. Be advised that you will need a computer; tablets and cell phones are not supported and may not work for the test. En Español.

The certificate is your food handler’s card. Print two copies of the certificate, one for you and one for your employer. If you have any questions call Environmental Services at 859-623-7312.

Curso del Trabajador de Alimentos en Línea

El examen de certificación para trabajadores de alimentos ya está disponible en línea, 24 horas al día, 7 días a la semana!

La cuota del curso se paga a través de cuenta de PayPal o con tarjeta de crédito/debito. Usted NO necesita tener una cuenta de PayPal para usar tarjeta de crédito; el pago es simplemente procesado a través de PayPal. Si usted paga su cuota y no puede terminar el curso en línea imprima su transacción de PayPal y tráigala a la oficina para completarla en persona.

  1. Descargue el Manual de certificación del Trabajador de Alimentos y estúdielo. Este es el mismo manual que usted estudia en nuestra oficina. Como alternativa, usted también puede ver el video proveído abajo.
  2. Cuando ya esté listo, haga el examen.  Le recordamos que usted va a necesitar una computadora; tabletas y teléfonos celulares no lo soportan y puede que no funcionen para el examen.

El certificado es su tarjeta del trabajador de alimentos.  Imprima dos copias del certificado, una para usted y el otro para su empleador. Si usted tiene preguntas llame al Servicio del Ambiente al (859623-7312)


Home · WebMaster · Madison County Health Department · 216 Boggs Lane · Richmond, KY 40475 · 859-623-7312 ·
After Hours, for Public Health and Environmental Emergencies Only, call 859-623-7312, option 8