Do line cooks need a food handler card in Texas?

Yes. Texas requires food employees who work with unpackaged food to complete an accredited food handler course within 30 days of being hired. A certificate with no expiration date is good for 2 years. The certified food manager in the kitchen is the only one who does not need it.

What Texas requires

Food employees who work with unpackaged food, equipment or food-contact surfaces must complete an accredited food handler course. Source
The deadline is 30 days after hire. It was shortened from 60 days in 2021. Source
A certificate with no expiration date printed on it is valid for 2 years. Source
The kitchen's certified food manager does not need the food handler course. Some cities require a certified food manager on site at all times. Source

How to list it on your resume

Put these lines under a Certifications and licenses heading near the top, with dates. The employer looks for them first.

Before

Food handler

After

Texas Food Handler Certificate, DSHS accredited (expires 2027)

Before

Certified food manager

After

Certified Food Manager, Texas (expires 2030)

Check your line cook resume for Texas

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Common questions

Is the Texas deadline 30 or 60 days?

30 days. Texas changed its food rules in 2021 and shortened the deadline from 60 days.

Which food handler courses count in Texas?

Courses accredited by the Texas Department of State Health Services or an approved accrediting body. Check the course is accredited before you pay.

Do servers in Texas need it too?

Food employees who handle unpackaged food need it, which can include servers who plate or carry food. Many restaurants ask every server for it.

Is TABC certification required for Texas cooks?

No. TABC seller-server training is for people who sell or serve alcohol, and Texas law does not require it even for them.

Pay for line cooks in Texas

See the Texas minimum wage and work out your take-home pay with the Texas paycheck calculator.

The full line cook checklist

The rules above are only for Texas. For everything else a line cook resume needs, with a full example, see the line cook resume checklist.

Sources

Last updated November 15, 2026. Rules change, so check the source before you rely on it.

Texas DSHS: Food handler education or training programs, FAQ (checked November 15, 2026)
Texas DSHS: Certified food manager program, FAQ (checked November 15, 2026)