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
Online: Class can be taken online at State Food Safety
*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
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.
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.
Please bring your picture ID and $5 to the Independence City Hall.
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.)
Jurisdiction |
Previous Requirement |
Updated Requirement* |
Cass County Health Department 816-380-8425 |
Cass County photo Food Handler card |
Any of the six jurisdictions’ card and photo ID. Jackson County card must say: * This card meets the requirements of the KC Metro Reciprocity Agreement.* |
Clay County Health Department 816-595-4350 |
Clay County photo Food Handler card |
Any of the six jurisdictions’ card and photo ID. Jackson County card must say: * This card meets the requirements of the KC Metro Reciprocity Agreement.* |
City of Independence 816-325-7803 |
Independence Food Handler card |
Any of the six jurisdictions’ card. Jackson County card must say: * This card meets the requirements of the KC Metro Reciprocity Agreement.* |
Jackson County Environmental Health Division 816-847-7073 |
Jackson County State Food Safety Online Certificate or Independence Food Handler card |
Any of the six jurisdictions’ card or Jackson County State Food Safety Online Certificate. Jackson County card must say: * This card meets the requirements of the KC Metro Reciprocity Agreement.* |
Kansas City, MO Health Department 816-513-6015 |
Kansas City photo Food Handler card |
Any of the six jurisdictions’ card and photo ID. Jackson County card must say: * This card meets the requirements of the KC Metro Reciprocity Agreement.* |
Platte County Health Department 816-858-2412 |
Platte County photo Food Handler card |
Any of the six jurisdictions’ card and photo ID. Jackson County card must say: * This card meets the requirements of the KC Metro Reciprocity Agreement.* |
*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, 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:
A short quiz may be required for transfers and alternate training. This depends upon the source of the transfer or training.