Getting a Maryland food handler card takes 3 steps: 1. Complete an ANAB-accredited online course (90 minutes) 2. Pass the exam (70% passing score) 3. Download your certificate immediately. The entire process can be done online from your phone or computer, costs between $6.95 and $15, and you’ll have your certificate in about 90 minutes. Before spending money on any course, you can practice free at SafeFoodExam.com with 40 questions in the same format as the real exam. If you speak Spanish, practice in Spanish here. For complete Maryland food safety requirements, check our state guide.

Does Maryland Require a Food Handler Card?

Maryland does not have a single statewide law requiring every food worker to hold a food handler card. However, that does not mean you can skip it. Several Maryland counties and cities have enacted their own local food handler requirements that are legally binding. Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Baltimore City all require food service workers to have current food handler certification. These are three of the most populated jurisdictions in the state, covering millions of residents and tens of thousands of restaurants, food trucks, and food service establishments.

Even if you work in a Maryland county that does not explicitly require food handler certification by law, most employers require it as a condition of employment. National restaurant chains, grocery stores, hospitals, schools, and catering companies almost always require food handler certification for all employees who handle food. Health inspectors in every Maryland county expect food workers to demonstrate basic food safety knowledge during inspections, and having a food handler card on file is the easiest way to prove that training. If your establishment is inspected and workers cannot show food safety training, the inspector may issue citations or lower your inspection grade.

Bottom line: whether your specific location legally requires it or not, getting a Maryland food handler card is practically essential for anyone working in food service. The cost is minimal ($6.95 to $15) and the time commitment is about 90 minutes. There is no good reason not to get certified. Practice the test free at SafeFoodExam so you know what to expect before you enroll in any paid course.

Who Needs a Food Handler Card in Maryland?

Anyone who works with food in Maryland should get a food handler card. This includes a wide range of job titles and industries. Here is a complete list of workers who need food handler certification:

• Restaurant workers — cooks, line cooks, prep cooks, sous chefs, head chefs
• Servers and waitstaff — anyone who carries food from kitchen to table
• Bartenders — handling garnishes, ice, and bar food
• Bussers and dishwashers — handling used plates and cleaning food-contact surfaces
• Fast food workers — assembling meals, handling ingredients
• Food truck operators and workers — all employees who prepare or serve food
• Grocery store deli workers — slicing meat, making sandwiches, preparing hot food
• School cafeteria workers — preparing and serving meals to students
• Hospital food service workers — preparing meals for patients
• Catering staff — preparing, transporting, and serving food at events
• Bakery workers — handling ingredients, baking, decorating, packaging
• Convenience store workers — if they prepare or handle any ready-to-eat food
• Nursing home and assisted living food workers — serving vulnerable populations

If your job involves touching, preparing, cooking, serving, or storing food in any capacity, you need a food handler card. This applies whether you work full-time, part-time, or seasonally. Even if you are a new hire in training, your employer should require you to get certified within your first 30 days on the job.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Maryland Food Handler Card

Step 1: Choose an ANAB-Accredited Provider

The first step is selecting an online food handler course that is accredited by ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board). This accreditation ensures the course meets national food safety training standards and will be accepted by employers and health departments in Maryland. Here are the most popular ANAB-accredited providers with their current prices:

Provider	Cost	Exam Questions	Passing Score	Languages
AAA Food Handler	$6.95	40	70%	English, Spanish
eFoodHandlers	$10.00	40	70%	English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean
StateFoodSafety	$10-12	40	70%	English, Spanish, more
Learn2Serve (360training)	$12-15	40	70%	English, Spanish
Userve	$14.95	50	70%	English, Spanish
ServSafe (NRA)	$15.00	40	75%	English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean

All of these providers are legitimate and produce certificates that Maryland employers accept. The cheapest option is AAA Food Handler at $6.95, while ServSafe at $15 is the most widely recognized brand name. The training content covers the same FDA Food Code topics regardless of which provider you choose.

Step 2: Complete the Online Course (90 Minutes)

Once you’ve chosen a provider, create an account, pay the fee, and begin the course. Most courses take about 90 minutes to complete and cover these core food safety topics: foodborne illness and pathogens, personal hygiene and handwashing, time and temperature control, preventing cross-contamination, cleaning and sanitizing, food allergens, and safe food storage. The course is completely self-paced, meaning you can pause and resume at any time. You can take the course on your phone, tablet, or computer. Many Maryland food workers complete it during a break or on a day off. There is no requirement to finish in one sitting.

Step 3: Pass the Exam (40-50 Questions, 70-75% Passing Score)

After completing the course material, you’ll take a final exam. Most providers have 40 questions with a 70% passing score, meaning you need about 28 correct answers out of 40. The exam is multiple choice and open-book for most providers. If you don’t pass on the first try, most providers allow unlimited retakes at no additional cost. The questions cover the same topics as the course: temperature danger zone, proper handwashing, cross-contamination prevention, and foodborne illness symptoms.

Step 4: Download Your Certificate Immediately

As soon as you pass the exam, you can download your food handler certificate as a PDF. Print it, email it to your employer, and keep a copy on your phone. There is no waiting period and no separate card to be mailed. Your certificate is valid immediately and includes your name, the date of completion, the expiration date (3 years), and the provider’s accreditation information.

Cost Breakdown: $6.95 to $15 Online

The cost of a Maryland food handler card ranges from $6.95 to $15 for online courses. In-person classes, where available, can cost $20 to $35 but offer no advantage over online courses in terms of certification validity. Unlike California (which passed SB 476 requiring employers to pay for food handler training), Maryland does not have a law requiring your employer to pay for your food handler card. However, many employers in Maryland do voluntarily cover the cost. Here are some tips for getting your employer to pay:

• Ask during the hiring process — many managers will agree to pay if you ask before accepting the job
• Check if your company has a training reimbursement program
• Some employers pay upfront, others reimburse after 90 days of employment
• Chain restaurants and corporate employers are more likely to pay than small independent restaurants
• If your employer won’t pay, the $6.95 AAA Food Handler option makes it very affordable

How Long Is a Maryland Food Handler Card Valid?

Your Maryland food handler card is valid for 3 years from the date you complete the course and pass the exam. After 3 years, you must retake the entire course and exam to renew your certification. There is no shortcut or abbreviated renewal process. Set a calendar reminder 30 days before your card expires so you have time to complete the renewal before it lapses. If your card expires and you continue working without renewing, you could face problems during a health inspection. Many employers also track expiration dates and will notify you when it’s time to renew. The renewal cost is the same as the initial certification — $6.95 to $15 depending on the provider you choose.

Practice Before You Pay

SafeFoodExam.com’s free practice test covers all core food safety topics: foodborne illness, temperature control, cross-contamination, personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitizing, and food allergens. The questions are multiple choice, just like the real exam. You’ll see your score immediately and get explanations for every answer. There is no limit on how many times you can practice. This is the smartest way to prepare — learn the material for free, then pay only when you’re ready to pass.

Spanish Language Options for Maryland Food Workers

Maryland has a large Spanish-speaking workforce, particularly in communities like Langley Park, Wheaton, Silver Spring, Hyattsville, and Bladensburg. If you or someone you know is more comfortable studying in Spanish, there are several options. SafeFoodExam.com offers a free practice test in Spanish at /espanol/ — no signup or payment required. Several paid providers including eFoodHandlers, StateFoodSafety, and ServSafe also offer their full courses in Spanish. Getting certified in the language you’re most comfortable with helps you learn the material better and pass the exam on your first try. Visit our Maryland food safety page for more details on requirements in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions