How to Get a Food Handler's Permit in Georgia

In the state of Georgia all people hired to work in a food service business must get a food handler's certification card within 30 days. This includes people who work in restaurants, cafes, bakeries and even food storage places where food isn't served. To get the card you must take a class that teaches proper food safety, handling, preparation and storage in an effort to increase overall consumer safety. You may take the class at a licensed site or online. A certificate is issued upon completion.

Instructions

In Person

• 1

  Visit the Georgia Department of Community Health and find a third-party class provider. The providers vary from county to county.

• 2

  Sign up for a class from one of the approved providers. Pay the fee, which also varies depending on the provider.

• 3

  Attend the class and take all required testing. Upon passing, you will be issued a certificate certifying you as a food handler in the state of Georgia.

Online

• 4

  Visit a reputable website that offers Georgia state food handling certification courses such as Culinary World and Georgia Food Handlers.

• 5

  Sign up to take the Georgia food certification course. Make sure it is for Georgia, as most of these websites offer certification courses for more than one state.

• 6

  Watch all videos and read all materials necessary to take the test for certification.

• 7

  Take the food certification test. If you fail, some websites will let you take it again until you pass. Others may only let you take it again if you sign up for the course again.

• 8

  Print out your certification card after passing the test, if necessary. Most websites will allow you to print your card yourself as proof that you passed the course. Others may only give you a receipt that you can print until your actual card comes in the mail.