Texas Food Handler and TABC Certification Cost
This page tracks current, dated prices for the Texas food handler card, TABC seller-server certification, the combined bundle, and the Certified Food Manager (CFM) credential. Every price below carries a source and a date; a price we could not confirm with a date is marked as unverified rather than published as fact. This site earns a commission on the marked affiliate link below; see our affiliate disclosure for the full statement. Neither the Texas Department of State Health Services nor TABC sets or caps the price a provider charges for either course.
How Much Does a Texas Food Handler Card Cost?
A Texas food handler card typically costs $7 to $15 from a DSHS-accredited or ANSI-accredited online provider, and the state itself charges the worker nothing, since Section 438.046(c) bars a separate local fee. Providers compete on price in what is a genuinely low-cost, low-margin market, and the course content required to earn accreditation is largely standardized across providers, so a higher price does not necessarily mean a more thorough course.
| Provider | Price | Notes | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learn2Serve (360training) | $7.00-$9.00 | ANSI/ANAB-accredited; en/es | tacsx research corpus | 2026-07-06 |
| AboveTraining (eFoodHandlers) | $7.95 | ANSI/ANAB-accredited | tacsx research corpus | 2026-07-06 |
| StateFoodSafety | $8.00-$10.00 | ANSI/ANAB-accredited; multilingual | tacsx research corpus | 2026-07-06 |
| Always Food Safe | $8.00-$12.00 | ANSI/ANAB-accredited; online + some classroom | tacsx research corpus | 2026-07-06 |
| NRFSP | $10.00-$12.95 | ANSI-accredited | tacsx research corpus | 2026-07-06 |
| ServSafe | $15.00 | ANSI/ANAB-accredited; Texas-specific course | tacsx research corpus | 2026-07-06 |
How Much Does TABC Certification Cost?
TABC seller-server certification typically costs $8.95 to $13.00 online, set entirely by the TABC-approved school rather than by TABC itself, and TABC charges the student no separate government fee for the certificate. In-person classroom pricing varies by school and region and is not uniformly published, so contact a classroom provider directly for its current rate.
| Provider | Price | Notes | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSC Seller Server Classes | $9.00 | Online | tacsx research corpus | 2026-06-19 |
| TABC Seller Server | $9.95 | Online | tacsx research corpus | 2026-06-19 |
| SureSellNow.com | $10.95 | Online | tacsx research corpus | 2026-06-19 |
| Food Service Prep | $11.95 | Online | tacsx research corpus | 2026-06-19 |
| Responsible Training | $12.99 | Online | tacsx research corpus | 2026-06-19 |
Can You Get a Bundled Food Handler + TABC Course, and What Does It Cost?
Yes, 360training's Learn2Serve brand sells a bundled Texas food handler plus TABC seller-server course for $16.99, which usually costs less than buying the two courses separately from most standalone providers. For a worker who needs both credentials, a $16.99 bundle compares favorably against buying, for example, an $8-$10 food handler course and a $9-$13 TABC course separately, which would run $17-$23 combined. We earn a commission if you enroll through the link below, which does not change the price you pay.
View the Learn2Serve food handler + TABC bundle
What Does a Texas Certified Food Manager (CFM) Credential Cost?
A Texas Certified Food Manager credential costs roughly $34 to $50 for an exam-only option or $85 to $155 or more for a bundled study course and proctored exam, depending on the provider chosen. The CFM is a separate, higher-tier credential from the food handler card, requiring a proctored exam rather than simple course completion, which is reflected in the higher price. See food handler card vs. food manager certificate for which credential your role actually needs before you pay for either one.
| Option | Price Range | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFM exam-only (e.g., Learn2Serve) | $34.00-$50.00 | tacsx research corpus | 2026-06-19 |
| CFM bundled course + exam (e.g., ServSafe via TRA) | $85.00-$155.00+ | tacsx research corpus | 2026-06-19 |
Does the State or TABC Charge Any Government Fee to the Worker?
Neither DSHS nor TABC charges the individual worker a government fee for either credential; the only government fees involved are paid by businesses applying to become accredited providers or approved schools. For food handler programs, DSHS charges providers $600 for a 2-year accreditation license, a $300 amendment fee, and a $100 late fee. For TABC schools, TABC charges a $1,000 new-school application fee, a $50 online branch fee or $200 classroom branch fee, and a $100 trainer application fee plus a $34 Train the Trainer fee if needed. None of these provider-side fees are billed to the student.
Which Provider Is the Cheapest?
Prices converge tightly across DSHS-accredited and TABC-approved providers, so the cheapest option usually comes down to a few dollars of difference plus which provider also offers the food handler plus TABC bundle. A worker who needs only the food handler card should compare the low end of the $7-$15 range; a worker who needs only TABC should compare the low end of the $8.95-$13.00 range; and a worker who needs both should weigh a standalone-plus-standalone total against a single $16.99 bundle. See the approved providers list for the full roster this comparison draws from.
Sources
| Fact | Value | Authority | URL | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food handler card price range | $7.00-$15.00 | tacsx research corpus (dated draft) | https://www.dshs.texas.gov/licensing-food-handler-training-programs/frequently-asked-questions-food-handler-education-or-training-programs | 2026-07-06 |
| No state fee for food handler card | Section 438.046(c) (SB 1089) prohibits local fee | Texas Department of State Health Services | https://www.dshs.texas.gov/licensing-food-handler-training-programs/frequently-asked-questions-food-handler-education-or-training-programs | 2026-06-27 |
| TABC certification price range | $8.95-$13.00 | tacsx research corpus (dated draft) | https://www.tabc.texas.gov/services/tabc-certification/tabc-certification-schools/ | 2026-06-19 |
| Bundled food handler + TABC price (360training/Learn2Serve) | $16.99 | 360training/Learn2Serve provider site | https://www.360training.com/learn2serve/alcohol/texas | 2026-06-27 |
| CFM credential cost range | $34.00-$155.00+ | tacsx research corpus (dated draft) | https://www.dshs.texas.gov/licensing-certified-food-manager-training-programs/frequently-asked-questions-certified-food-manager-cfm-program | 2026-06-19 |
| DSHS provider accreditation license fee | $600 per 2-year license; $300 amendment; $100 late fee | 25 TAC Section 229.178(g)(1), via tacsx research corpus | https://www.dshs.texas.gov/licensing-food-handler-training-programs/laws-regulations-food-handlers | 2026-06-19 |
| TABC school startup fees | $1,000 application; $50/$200 branch; $100 + $34 trainer | tacsx research corpus (dated draft) | https://www.tabc.texas.gov/services/tabc-certification/information-for-trainers-schools/ | 2026-06-19 |
Frequently asked questions
Does the state cap what a provider can charge for these courses?
No. Texas Health and Safety Code Section 438.046 prohibits a local jurisdiction from charging a separate recognition fee, but it does not set a price ceiling on what training providers charge for the course itself.
Can my employer pay for my food handler card or TABC certification?
Yes. Many employers cover the cost as part of onboarding, given the inexpensive price and the 30-day compliance deadline that applies to both credentials.
Is the bundled course lower quality than buying each course separately?
No. A bundled food handler + TABC course must still cover the full required content for both credentials to be accredited or approved; the bundle is a pricing and convenience choice, not a reduced-content option.
Does this site offer any discount codes for these providers?
No. We do not offer discounts or promotions. We may earn a commission from a marked link, which does not affect the price a provider charges. See our affiliate disclosure.
Are there hidden fees beyond the listed course price?
For the food handler card, no; the state prohibits a separate local recognition fee. For TABC certification, TABC itself charges the student nothing beyond the school's course fee. Always confirm current pricing directly on the provider's own page before enrolling.
Why do CFM credentials cost so much more than the food handler card?
The CFM credential requires a proctored exam, standardized national exam development, and ANSI-CFP or DSHS oversight of the exam infrastructure, which is reflected in a higher price than the simple course-completion model used for the food handler card.