The state of Idaho does NOT have any food safety laws that requires typical food workers to receive an Idaho food handlers permit, also known as the Idaho food handlers card.
This means that all common food employees handling unpacked foods (i.e. food preps, line cooks, servers, bussers, etc.) whom do not have a supervisory position do NOT have to pay for a course nor take any examination.

Idaho does however recommend that all food establishment workers take the Idaho Food Safety Exam. Managers and other restaurant supervisors may even make this exam a requirement despite there being no state requirement!
But hey, the Idaho Food Handlers Permit is 100% free-of-charge and only has a time limit of 45 minutes. Additionally, you – as the employee – may take it as many times as you like. In order to successfully pass the Idaho Food Safety Exam, you must score a 75% at the very lest.
On the fence about it? Well, it’s certainly not a waste of time. The Idaho food handlers permit is great for the resume… plus it’s valid for 5 years.
To access the course, just click here. Once you pass, you’ll then be granted printing access and your account will remain in the states’ database until expiration.
If you really want to buckle down and study, the best tool and resource for you is the Idaho Food Safety Manual (pdf). Give this a quick read β and you’ll be more prepared than most!
Unlike most states in the US, Idaho’s food safety laws are pretty straight forward. And although we cover all important requirements in the section below, here is the state’s food protection program website that covers all the details.
Idaho Food Establishment Requirements
The only food handlers training enforced by the state of Idaho is specifically for (1) food establishment managers/supervisors… and (2) for shift-lead employees, also known as the Person-in-Charge (PIC).
According to the state, at least one food establishment manager or supervisor MUST have a state-approved CFPM card. And one PIC with a CFPM card MUST be present, at the food establishment, during all hours of operation.
What is the Idaho CFPM card?
If you have a CFPM card, it means that you are a Certified Food Protection Manager. Pretty fancy, right? Obtaining a CFPM card means you’ll have to pay to take an online state-approved food safety course, and successfully pass the final examination. More details and state-approved course providers are given in the section below.
This state-wide law ensures that every food-facility in the state of Idaho has a person-in-charge that is qualified in food safety practices⦠has an advanced knowledge of food handling procedures⦠and can generally guide other restaurant employees to follow suit.
If a health inspector comes to the food establishment, managers and/or shift leads MUST be able to provide a copy of their CFPM card. Here’s an important snippet we found from the Idaho Division of Public Health:
In some instances, the demonstration of knowledge requirement may also be satisfied by a PIC that can answer detailed questions about food safety practices during a regulatory inspection that results in having no critical violations.
Here are further details on managers/supervisors directly from the states department of health and welfare. Not enough info? Take a look at the latest written Food Code.
The Idaho Division of Public Health is the regulatory body that covers all things food safety. If you have further questions, it may be in your best interest to contact a local representative.
Where do you get an Idaho CFPM card?
All Idaho state-approved CFPM course providers are shown below.
- 360training.com
- Food Manager level exam from Above Training/Statefoodsafety.com
- National Registry of Food Safety Professionals
- Food Manager level exam from Prometric
- Food Manager level exam from ServSafe
- The Idaho Food Safety and Sanitation Exam*
*Only valid for PIC positions. Not applicable for Managers/supervisors.
Costs will vary depending on which course you choose. At FoodHandlersCardHelp, we recommend getting your CFPM card via ServSafe or 360training. Both programs have a solid reputation nation-wide.
Idaho Food Handlers Practice Tests
As they always say, practice makes perfect. Here are our top Idaho Food Handlers practice tests. These will help those looking to become both food handler and CFPM certified.
- Premier Food Safety practice test
- Food handlers quiz flash cards
- ProProfs practice test