Food Handler & Manager Permits

• All food service employees in Independence are required to obtain a Food Handler Permit.
• All food service managers in Independence are required to obtain a Food Service Manager Permit.
• Food establishments must have at least one permitted Food Service Manager on duty at all times

Food Handler

Food handlers must obtain a certificate no later than 15 days from the time they are hired by a food establishment. Food handler cards are valid for three years.

The City of Independence accepts valid food handler certifications from the following jurisdictions: Cass County, Clay County, Jackson County, Kansas City, and Platte County.

How to obtain a Card:

You can take a Food Handler class at City Hall OR online.

In-Person:

Classes are offered on the 3rd Monday of every month at City Hall, lower level, Council Chambers

1. Register: Pre-register for class by calling 816-325-7803 or by coming in person (City Hall, Health Department, 2nd floor). You may register on the day of the class in-person no later than 2:30 pm as space allows. Payment of $25 is due at the time of registration and is non-refundable.
2. Take the class: Class begins at 3:00 pm. Please arrive 15 minutes before class for check-in. Photo I.D. is required at check-in. You will receive your food handler care at the end of class after passing a test.

Online: Class can be taken online at State Food Safety

1. Take the class: The online food handler course is $25.00 which includes the City of Independence food handler card fee. Food handlers will get two attempts to take the test. If the test is not passed within those two tries food handlers will be asked to retake the course and another payment of $25.00 will be required.
2. Within 30 days of passing the test: Bring your certificate and photo I.D. to 111 E Maple Ave, Independence MO 64050. Once in the building, go to the Health Department on the 2nd Floor. Ring the doorbell next to the window. Someone will be there to assist you shortly.
3. Take a short test: You will be required to take and pass a short post-test to get your food handler card. This test is only ten questions long. It is also available in Spanish. If you are unable to pass the test you will need to register for the next in-person class.
4. Get your card

*Important* The certificate of course completion from StateFoodSafety.com is only valid for 30 days. Make sure to come to City Hall within 30 days of taking the online course.

State Food Safety Online Food Handler Course

Food Service Manager Permits

City of Independence Food Manager classes will still be in person.  These classes are only provided in English and take place once a month.

Pre-registration is required.
Classes are four(4) hours in duration and the cost is $30.00.

View class schedule and pre-register

Participants receive a Food Managers Permit after successfully passing a written test. These permits are valid for three years and are not renewable meaning the manager's class must be taken again.

Renewing Food Handler Cards

City of Independence food handler cards that are getting ready to expire or are expired will need to take the online food handler course through State Food Safety to get a new valid card.  The card will be valid for three(3) years.

Duplicate/Replacement Cards, Reciprocity, and Alternate Training

Duplicate/Replacement Permit

Please bring your picture ID and $5 to the Independence City Hall. 

Regional Food Handler Reciprocity Agreement

The Food Handler Reciprocity Agreement allows the acceptance of food handler training cards amongst six local public health agencies including Independence (Cass County, Clay County, Platte County, Jackson County and Kansas City, Missouri) without a transfer fee.  Cards are only accepted if the food handler exam was administered by a proctor (unsupervised, online exams will not be accepted.)

*Jackson County Environmental Health Division’s (JCEHD) Online Tap Series Online Certificate is only accepted in that jurisdiction. If food handlers wish to use that training in other jurisdictions they should contact JCEHD  at 816-847-7073 to take a proctored exam and obtain a Jackson County Food Handler Card. The Certificate can also be brought into Independence City Hall to be transferred. A proctored test is given and there is a transfer fee of $5.00 for an Independence card.  Cards are only accepted in Independence if the food handler exam was administered by a proctor (unsupervised, online exams will not be accepted.)

Managers are required to have a separate Food Manager card for each jurisdiction in which they work.

Alternate Training

Alternate training, such as a ServSafe certificate from a proctored exam, is acceptable in place of attending the class. Certificates are only accepted if the food handler exam was administered by a proctor. Please bring your alternate training certificate and picture ID to Independence City Hall. There is a $5 transfer fee. Permits are valid for a maximum of three years. Permits will expire on the expiration date of the alternate training if it is sooner than three years. We accept the following:

• Alternate Training for Food Handler Permit
  • State Food Safety
  • ServSafe Starter (proctored)

• Alternate Training for Food Service Manager Permit
  • ServSafe Manager Certification
  • Prometric
  • Safe at the Plate
  • National Registry of Food Service Professionals
  • Certified Professional Food Managers, 360training.com
  • Culinary degrees
  • Certified Dietary Manager, Registered Dietitian (no transfer required)

A short quiz may be required for transfers and alternate training. This depends upon the source of the transfer or training.