Food Handler Training

If you are a food handler in Lincoln County, West Virginia, completing an approved food safety course is a requirement. Successfully completing this course will grant you a Lincoln County Statewide Food Handlers Card. A food handler is defined as anyone who handles, prepares, serves, sells, or distributes food meant for human consumption.

During the course, you will learn proper food handling practices as mandated by the FDA Food Code. The goal is to minimize food-borne illnesses and promote sanitary practices.

Course Learning Objectives:

Recognize how food may lead to illnesses or allergic reactions.
Prevent food and food-contact surface contamination through proper body and hand hygiene.
Identify symptoms or illnesses that must be reported to a manager.
Implement time and temperature control throughout the food handling process.
Create and maintain a clean environment for food preparation and service.

Food Handler's Permit

You are required to obtain a Food Handler Card within thirty (30) days from your hiring date.

To obtain the Food Service Worker Permit, you can either attend the Lincoln County Health Department Food Handler’s Class OR complete the online training through StateFoodSafety.com.

In-Person Course

The one-hour in-person class is available at the health department every morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Registration in advance is necessary.
Upon completion, you will receive your Food Service Worker Card, which must be kept at your workplace.
Food Handler’s Cards are valid for one year.
The fee for the in-person course is $20.00 (appointments are required).
Replacement cards cost $5.00.

Online Course

LCHD is pleased to offer online food worker training through StateFoodSafety.com.
StateFoodSafety.com is the only online course we accept. Please be sure to register for the Lincoln County course.
When registering, you will be asked for the name and address of your workplace or volunteer organization, so it is useful to prepare this information beforehand. If you are neither employed nor volunteering, please enter N/A in those fields.
The fee for the online course is $25.99.
The course takes approximately two hours to complete and concludes with a mandatory test.

Both training options are the same; the only distinction is that the statewide card is valid across all 55 counties in West Virginia.