HAWAII
FOOD HANDLERS CARD

The Hawaii Food Handlers Card is an approved program designed to teach food workers the basics of food safety. It covers key topics such as foodborne illness prevention, temperature control, sanitization, and cross-contamination. The course is 100% online, self-paced, and available 24/7.

Yes, Hawaii law requires that at least one food handler with a valid certificate be present at a food establishment during operating hours. Many employers require all staff to obtain a food handler card to avoid scheduling issues and ensure full compliance.

To obtain your Hawaii Food Handler Card, complete an accredited program by the  ANAB.

Yes! Hawaii accepts online and in-person course options, as long as the course is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Our online course meets these requirements and is accessible anytime, from anywhere.

Your Hawaii Food Handler Certificate is valid for three years from the date you complete the course and pass the exam. After it expires, you must retake an accredited course to maintain your certificate.

Once you pass the 40-question final exam with a 70% or higher score, you will receive your Hawaii Food Handler Certificate immediately. You can download and print it for your records or to present to your employer.

Hawaii Food Handler Certificate takes approximately 1.5 hours and is available in  English and Spanish. It’s self-paced and can be paused and resumed at any time.

You are allowed two attempts to pass the final exam. If you don’t succeed on your first attempt, you re-take the exam again at no additional charge.

With a food handler certificate, you can work in restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, fast food chains, grocery stores, and more. Common roles include dishwasher, line cook, server, and prep cook. Holding your certificate before applying can give you a hiring advantage in Hawaii’s competitive food service industry.

Foodborne illness rates in Hawaii have consistently ranked among the highest in the nation. A food handler certificate equips food workers with the knowledge to reduce risks, protect public health, and improve customer satisfaction. Educated employees also help businesses avoid costly violations.

You can visit the Hawaii Department of Health’s Sanitation Branch for official information on food safety regulations. The Disease Outbreak Control Division also provides valuable resources on foodborne illnesses and how to prevent them through proper food safety practices.

Yes! We offer bulk pricing and an employer dashboard to help you assign courses, monitor progress, and download completion certificates for your team—all from one place.

ANAB operates under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In Hawaii, this partnership ensures that food safety training programs, such as those from AAA Food Handler, meet essential public health requirements recognized statewide.

Hawaii Food Handler Certificate courses are accessible on most modern devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. For the smoothest experience, it’s recommended to use the latest version of Google Chrome with JavaScript and cookies enabled. A PDF reader may also be required to view and download your certificate and course documents.

For official guidance on food safety rules and regulations in Hawaii, contact the State of Hawaii, Department of Health, Food Safety Branch:

99-945 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea, Hawaii 96701

Yes. Hawaii law requires at least one certified food handler per food establishment.

One designated employee per establishment who is present during all hours of operation must hold a valid certificate.

The certificate is valid for three years.

Yes. Food handlers must renew their certificate every three years.

Yes. The exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

Yes. Online food handler training and exams are permitted.