Iowa Food Handlers Permit - Food Handlers Card Help 👩‍🍳

For retail food establishments in Iowa, there is no Iowa food handlers permit requirement for common kitchen employees.

What Iowa does require though, is that at least one person in an establishment receives a Food Manager’s Certificate. (Also known as a Certified Food Protection Manager – CFPM)

⚠️Important: Searching online for food handlers card requirements will lead to multiple sites claiming that you must have one, and that they have the test for you to take. Most of the websites are incorrect in their information and are trying to get you to pay for something that you do NOT necessarily need. Only what we have listed here is required. So please stay aware. If you are interested in learning more about what a Food Handlers Card is, please visit our page here.

The state of Iowa believes that if one person in a restaurant certifies as a Food Manager then they will be able to pass their knowledge of food safety on to the other employees in the restaurant.

So although you may not be required to receive an Iowa food handlers permit or a food manager’s certificate, there are a few reasons why you still may want to be certified.

Iowa Food Managers Certification

Iowa requires licensed retail food facilities to have at least one certified food manager in their employ. An Iowa Certified Food Manager is the person in charge when present and they must be accessible by phone, text, and email when not physically present during operation.

Iowa currently recognizes and accepts certification from the National ANSI Certified Food Manager programs.

The current approved list is below (in no particular order):

You can also find more information on the Iowa CPFM cards here.

Other Requirements That May Be Helpful:

Good Communication Skills
Being able to stand long periods of time
Knowledge of basic food safety

For more information, please visit the official page of Iowa’s Food Protection Task Force here.

Iowa Food Managers Certification

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