West Virginia · Food Handler Card Guide
West Virginia food handler requirements
vary by county.
There is no single statewide process. What you need depends entirely on where you work. Here’s exactly what each county requires — and how to be ready for it.
Why West Virginia is different
Under WV Code §16-2-16, the state delegates food handler training entirely to county health departments. Each county sets its own rules — which providers they accept, how much you pay, and how long your card is valid.
Some counties accept any ANAB-accredited online course. Others have locked partnerships with a single provider. A few still require in-person classes only. And about half of WV’s 55 counties don’t require a card at all — though your employer may still ask for one.
The state’s own website says: “Check with your local health department to see if they will accept an online food handler training course.” That’s the honest answer — and it’s why this page exists.
County-by-county requirements
⚠
Locked to StateFoodSafety.com only
These counties only accept courses completed through StateFoodSafety — no other online provider is honored.
StateFoodSafety only
Kanawha County / Charleston
Required within 30 days of hire. Card valid 1 year. Online course ~75 min. Cost: varies by course option.
Kanawha-Charleston Health Dept →
StateFoodSafety only
Monongalia County / Morgantown
Required within 30 days of hire. Two options: county card (1 year) or statewide card (2 year, valid all 55 counties). Online course ~75 min.
Monongalia County Course →
StateFoodSafety only
Cabell County / Huntington
Required within 30 days of hire. Online course $20. Card valid 3 years.
Cabell-Huntington Health Dept →
StateFoodSafety only
Lincoln County
In-person ($20) or online through StateFoodSafety only ($25.99). Card valid 1 year. Must register for the Lincoln County specific course.
Lincoln County Health Dept →
StateFoodSafety only
Mingo County
County card $25, statewide card $35. Online or in-person. No other online provider accepted.
Mingo County Health Dept →
StateFoodSafety only
Boone County
County card $25, statewide card $35. Online or in-person. No other online provider accepted.
Boone County Health Dept →
⚡
County-specific portal only
These counties run their own program — you must use their specific link, not a general provider.
Own portal only
Jefferson County
$30 includes course, test, and certificate. Card valid 2 years. This is the only approved site — prior certifications from other providers not accepted.
Jefferson County Portal →
◈
Multiple approved online providers
These counties accept more than one specific online provider — but not all ANAB programs.
StateFoodSafety + TAPSeries
Ohio County / Wheeling
Accepts StateFoodSafety or TAPSeries online. In-person classes also available. Card issued by Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department.
Ohio County Health Dept →
📋
In-person classes only
These counties require you to attend a scheduled class at the health department — no online option.
In-person only
Marshall County
All classes require pre-registration by calling the health department. No online option currently available.
Marshall County Health Dept →
✓
Card required — any ANAB-accredited program accepted
These counties require a food handler card but accept any nationally accredited online program. You have options.
Any ANAB program
Barbour, Braxton, Brooke, Calhoun, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Marion, Mason, Mineral, Monroe, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Preston, Putnam, Ritchie, Roane, Taylor, Tucker, Wirt, Wood counties
Card required within 30 days of hire. Any ANAB-accredited online program is accepted. Study with SafePrep, then take your exam through any approved provider — ServSafe, StateFoodSafety, eFoodHandlers, or others.
WV approved online courses →
Any ANAB program
Grant County
Explicitly accepts any nationally accredited ANSI or WV state-approved course online. Very flexible.
Grant County Health Dept →
○
No food handler card required by county
These counties have no mandatory food handler card requirement — but your employer may still ask for one.
No mandate
All remaining WV counties not listed above
If your county isn’t listed in the required groups above, there is no county-level mandate. That said, many employers in the food service industry require a card regardless of county law — always check with your employer. And if you want to be prepared, SafePrep covers everything the food handler exam tests.
WV DHHR Food Safety →
Ready to study? $2.99 prepares you for any West Virginia county exam.
Regardless of which approved program your county requires, every WV food handler exam covers the same core topics. SafePrep’s adaptive questions target exactly what you need to know — personal hygiene, time and temperature, allergens, cross-contamination, and more. Study here first. Pass your county’s exam faster.
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Studying for the Manager exam instead?
SafePrep is the adaptive study app built specifically for the ServSafe Food Manager certification — the exam required for supervisors and managers in West Virginia food establishments.
Serving all West Virginia counties & cities
CharlestonHuntingtonMorgantownParkersburgWheelingWeirtonFairmontMartinsburgBeckleyClarksburgSouth CharlestonSt. AlbansViennaBluefieldKanawha CountyCabell CountyMonongalia CountyWood CountyOhio CountyBerkeley CountyRaleigh CountyMarion CountyHarrison CountyPutnam CountyMercer County
CharlestonHuntingtonMorgantownParkersburgWheelingWeirtonFairmontMartinsburgBeckleyClarksburgSouth CharlestonSt. AlbansViennaBluefieldKanawha CountyCabell CountyMonongalia CountyWood CountyOhio CountyBerkeley CountyRaleigh CountyMarion CountyHarrison CountyPutnam CountyMercer County