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Training helps reduce or eliminate food safety hazards before they become major issues.
Reducing food safety complaints will create a happier workplace and in turn increase productivity.
Numerous professionals nationwide have already earned and renewed their card with AAA Food Handler — a trusted name in food safety training.
The general process involves three steps: take an ANAB approved food handler course, pass the final exam, and present your Certificate of Completion to your employer or local health authority. However, specific requirements vary by county or municipality, so it’s important to check local guidelines.
Some counties or cities in Kentucky, such as Anderson, Bullitt, Clark, Clay, Franklin, Frankfort, Jackson, Jessamine, Knott, Lee Leslie, Letcher, Lexington/Fayette, Madison, Marshall, Montgomery, Muhlenberg, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Rockcastle, Wolfe, and Woodford require food handler training.
AAA Food Handler’s course is ANAB accredited and accepted by many employers and counties throughout Kentucky. However, some countries have strict requirements for using their training programs, so it’s best to confirm with your local authority before enrolling.
Kentucky does not enforce a statewide food handler requirement. Instead, individual counties and municipalities set their standards. Because of this local control, food safety training requirements can vary widely depending on where you work.
This Kentucky Food Handlers Card is ANAB -accredited and follows national food safety standards. Employers widely recognize and trust it, especially when formal food handler training is recommended but not mandated.
Expiration periods vary by county. The food handler card may last anywhere from one to three years in areas where it is required. The certificate is typically valid for 2–3 years in other parts of Kentucky. Your employer may also have renewal preferences.
Kentucky permits the sale of certain low-risk, shelf-stable foods made in a home kitchen. These include baked goods without custard or cream fillings, jams and jellies, candies, fruit butters, dried herbs, and snack mixes, so long as they don’t require refrigeration for safety.
If you work in multiple counties, you must follow the food safety rules for each one. Some counties may require their local training, even if you’ve already completed a course elsewhere.
Even when not required, a Food Handler Course is a smart move. It teaches you how to prevent foodborne illnesses, handle food safely, and follow sanitation procedures—skills that protect customers and improve job performance.
ANAB accredited programs meet national standards set by the Conference for Food Protection (CFP), ensuring that health departments across Kentucky and the U.S recognize your certification.
Completing the Food Handler course gives you a competitive edge in the job market. It shows potential employers you understand safe food handling procedures, which helps reduce the risk of foodborne illness and makes you a more attractive hire.
Food handler training equips workers with the knowledge to prevent cross-contamination, follow proper hygiene practices, and handle food safely. These skills are essential in keeping Kentucky’s rate of foodborne illness outbreaks low, as seen in CDC data over recent years.
You must score at least 70% on the 40-question final exam to pass. You will have two chances to complete the test successfully.
The Food Handler course is self-paced and available online 24/7. It takes about 1.5 hours to complete. You can stop and resume anytime and take the final exam when you’re ready.
Yes. The Kentucky Food Handler course is available in English and Spanish, making it accessible for many food service employees.
Yes. Group purchase options and bulk discounts are available, making it easy for managers to assign training to employees, monitor their progress, and ensure everyone is certified efficiently.
For accurate food safety regulations and guidance in Kentucky, contact:
Kentucky Department of Public Health
Food Safety Branch
275 East Main Street
Frankfort, Kentucky 40621
To register as a cottage food producer in Kentucky, you need to complete a Food Handler certificate from an approved course such as AAA Food Handler. After that, you can submit your registration application to the Kentucky Department for Public Health, which will include details about your business, products, and food safety practices.
Food Handler Reviews
4.9
Great
very through and informative
Clearly explained modules that virtually guarantee a passing grade if you pay attention.
I have had my food handlers card in the past and went through a different website to obtain it. I got this website from my current supervisor and honestly this website was very informative. Considering that this is women owned, things are explained in a good detail. 1.5 hours of this does seem long but it is not. I learned some new information from the last time I took it and also the final exam was 40 questions. Final exam questions were fairly simple and reflected everything that was talked about.
easy and concise to follow
It was informative and good learning material.
Well worth it & Very Recommended
Very Easy & Recommended
Me gusto lo bien explicados que estan los modulos y la informacion tan importante
The information was clear and concise.
Modules was short and to the point. Very informative on food handling.
Accessed through mobile phone and found the course to be a bit slow
Definitely interesting. I’ve had to take this course several times over my life and this one kept my attention well. The narrator used had a good voice and having to interact at times kept me on my toes. I liked it overall and will be back if available when it is time to do it again.
The information makes one aware of how to protect yourself and your loved ones from needless illnesses by using preventive measures, common sense and paying attention to the potetntial hazards and cross contamination when it comes to handing food. This info also keeps me alert when I am being served in a restaurant. Just recently, I was at a restaurant, and was served my meal with white bread instead of pita bread. I brought it to the server’s attention, he apologized and he grabbed the two pieces of bread off my plate. We thought that was kind of weird, but at least he was nice about it, and wearing gloves. However, he touched other things with his gloves, since he was busy serving other people. If I knew then, that that would’ve been a violation, I think I would’ve told the manager, instead of letting it go. Even though some of this info is common sense, it is helpful to bring the topic up with an explanation to back up the standards. Otherwise, it is very easy to let things slide. Also, there are specific info that I wasn’t aware of, like how many degrees should you receive food when hot or when cold. Overall, this course was very insightful. I kept thinking my whole family should take this course, so we can all be on the same page. I also feel the need to practice these guidelines regularly in my own home kitchen.
simple and informative.
This course goes into great depth and provides an in depth understanding of food safety.
Great program
Easy and straight to the point
This course was sufficient in preparing me for the food handlers test