R392-103-4. Food Handler Permit Issuing Procedure, Reciprocity, and Renewal

  (1) Except when Subsections R392-103-4(15) and (16) apply, a person may not work as a food handler for a food service establishment or temporary event unless the person:

  (a) obtains a certificate within 14 days after the day on which the person begins employment as a food handler; and

  (b) obtains a food handler permit within 30 days after the day on which the person begins employment as a food handler.

  (2) A food handler shall obtain a food handler permit no later than 7 days after the expiration of the food handler's existing permit.

  (3) Replacement of lost permits shall only be issued by the local health department having jurisdiction.

  (a) A local health department may charge a fee for replacement of a lost or misplaced permit.

  (4) A training provider shall promptly issue a certificate to any food handler applicant who receives the training provider's Department approved training and passes a Department approved exam.

  (5)(a) Using a data template approved by the Department, a training provider shall transmit via email the information described in Subsection R392-103-7(10)(a) to the local health department having jurisdiction within seven days of a certificate's issuance.

  (b) This data transmission shall serve as notification to the local health department that an applicant has completed an approved course and exam.

  (i) A training provider shall provide all information required by the Department-approved data template.

  (ii) No provider or local health department may require changes to the data template or require additional information unless approved by the Department.

  (6) To prevent fraud, the training provider shall number each issued certificate using a unique numbering system.

  (7) The certificate shall contain the following information:

  (a) Name of the person to whom the certificate is issued;

  (b) Date of issuance; and

  (c) Name of the issuing training provider.

  (8) Upon issuance, the certificate shall be valid for 30 days. A local health officer shall accept the certificate as proof that the food handler applicant completed Department approved training and testing.

  (9) A local health officer shall issue a food handler permit when:

  (a) an applicant provides to the local health department a valid certificate of an approved food handler training program; or

  (b) the local health department has received notification of an applicant receiving training and passing an approved exam by the training provider as required in Subsection R392-103-4(5); and

  (c) The local health department has received a food handler permit fee.

  (i) The food handler permit fee shall be no more than $15 and shall be uniform statewide.

  (10) The front of an issued food handler permit shall contain the following information:

  (a) Title that reads, "Utah Food Handler Permit";

  (b) Name of the food handler;

  (c) Permit expiration date;

  (d) Identification number that includes the training provider's 2-letter unique identifier followed by up to 8 alphanumeric characters;

  (e) Name of local health department issuing the permit;

  (f) The phrase, "This Permit is Not a Legal Form of Identification" stated at the bottom of the permit; and

  (g) Utah State seal.

  (11) The back of an issued food handler permit shall contain the following statements:

  (a) "Permit must be presented upon request by the local health officer"; and

  (b) "Permit may be revoked for cause".

  (12) A local health officer shall accept any food handler permit issued under authority of this rule until the date of expiration, revocation, or suspension of the food handler permit.

  (13) Except for temporary food service events, the person in charge of a food establishment shall provide, upon request of the local health officer, a copy of a food handler permit for each food handler working in the food establishment. For temporary events, the person in charge is not required to maintain copies of food handler permits, but at least one present person must be able to show that person's current food handler permit to the local health officer.

  (14) Food handler permits shall be valid statewide for 3 years from the date of issuance. Food handler permits may be renewed every 3 years by completing an approved food handler training course, passing an exam administered by an approved food handler training provider, and receiving a food handler permit from a local health officer.

  (15) The local health officer shall accept a food handler permit issued to a back country outfitter by the United States Department of the Interior, or by a public health authority in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, or Wyoming. This applies only to food handling done at a back country food establishment and meeting the exemption requirements of Section 26-15a-105(1)(i).

  (16) A person who has met the requirements of Rule R392-101 to become certified as a food safety manager shall be exempt from the requirement to obtain a food handler permit under this section.