Georgia Food Handler Certification Cost Guide

Know every dollar before you enroll

Georgia line cook reviews online food handler course cost breakdown on cafe tablet

The true food handler certification cost in Georgia is more than just the sticker price on a training website. Your final out-of-pocket total blends the course provider’s fee, any state-mandated exam charge, and a county filing payment that makes your card official. Use this guide to calculate an exact budget—before you click “enroll.”

Typical Course Fees

Georgia food handler certification cost varies by provider, delivery style, and whether the exam is bundled. Self-paced online courses usually land between $7 and $15, while instructor-led classroom sessions can reach $20 to $35. Both satisfy Georgia Food Code §511-6-1 requirements, but only if you also pass the final assessment. Providers such as StateFoodSafety include the exam in the base fee, whereas ServSafe® Food Handler sells proctor codes separately. Confirm you are enrolling in the correct option before paying—especially if your employer covers only one attempt. If you still need to confirm eligibility, read our Georgia Food Handler Certification overview.

Popular course providers and fees (updated 2025)
Provider Course Fee Exam Included? Format Notable Features
StateFoodSafety$13.95YesOnline, self-pacedMobile friendly; Spanish audio
eFoodHandlers$10.00YesOnline, self-pacedFree practice quiz
ServSafe® Food Handler$9.99No (exam code $8)Online, self-pacedBrand recognition
360Training$8.95YesOnline, self-pacedBulk discounts
Learn2Serve$14.50YesLive webinar or onlineInstructor Q&A included

Total Cost Estimator

This tool estimates cost using $6 per retake—actual fees vary by provider.

County Registration Charges

Passing your course does not finalize your food handler card in Georgia. You must also register the certificate with the county Board of Health where you will prepare or serve food. Most counties charge a modest filing fee to maintain on-site records and link your card to local inspection data. Fees range from $8 to $15 and are due per card, not per establishment. Students under 18 sometimes receive fee waivers—check with your Environmental Health Office before paying.

Employer Reimbursement Policies

Many Georgia restaurants, school districts, and catering companies reimburse workers for the cost of certification. Payroll offices usually process refunds in one of two ways: (1) adding the course fee to your next paycheck upon receipt of a valid PDF certificate, or (2) issuing pre-paid enrollment codes so employees pay nothing up front. Keep your email receipt and card PDF in cloud storage; employers often require both to trigger reimbursement. Some operators cap the refund at a set amount—double-check policies before choosing a pricier instructor-led course.

Quick-Reference Price Ranges:
DIY self-paced: $8–$15 | Instructor-led: $25–$40 | County filing: $10–$15 | Renewal every 3 yrs: $7–$20

Bundled Discounts & Group Rates

If you manage multiple employees, bulk purchasing can shave dollars off each certificate. Providers commonly offer tiered pricing—buy five seats and the per-person fee drops by 10 %, buy twenty and it drops by 20 %. Bundles sometimes include added courses like Food Allergen Awareness for the same package rate, giving operators extra compliance coverage. Seasonal pop-ups (especially around National Food Safety Month) unlock coupon codes that combine with bulk discounts.

Money-Saving Tip: Stack a provider promo code with employer reimbursement. Pay $8.95 today, submit the receipt to payroll, and pocket the refund—net cost: $0.

Hidden Costs to Watch

The sticker price is only half the story. Retaking the exam after a failing score can cost $5–$7 each attempt, and most providers limit free retries to 2–3. Rush shipping for a printed, wallet-sized card may add $25 overnight. Lose your physical card? Replacement fees range from $5 to $10—see our forthcoming lost-card guide. Finally, some payment gateways tack on a 3 % convenience charge, so consider using a debit card over a corporate card if you’re paying personally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most providers treat fees as non-refundable once you launch the training. A few allow refunds within 24 hours if less than 10 % of the course is viewed. Always read the provider’s refund terms before purchase, and consider employer reimbursement as your safety net.

Training expenses tied to your current occupation are generally deductible as unreimbursed employee expenses, but only if you itemize and exceed IRS thresholds. Consult a tax professional—Georgia follows federal guidance for job-related education deductions. Keep digital receipts.

Some county health departments waive their filing fee with proof of veteran status. Course providers rarely discount individually, but bulk veteran programs such as Hire Heroes occasionally offer voucher codes. Always ask—discount policies change often.

Renewal courses are shorter and cheaper: expect $7–$20 for the refresher plus the same county filing fee. For full details see our renewal guide.

You can retake immediately in most online systems. Expect a $5–$7 retake charge after your free attempts are exhausted. Study with our 40-question practice test before re-launching.

Yes—the card belongs to you, not the business. However, you must update the new county’s records if you change work locations. Some counties charge a reduced “transfer” filing fee; others require full registration.

Georgia does not legislate course pricing. Competition among accredited vendors keeps prices low, which is why you will find self-paced options under $10. Counties likewise set filing fees locally, subject to board approval.

Providers give 60–90 days to launch training after purchase. After that period the code may deactivate, resulting in a repurchase. Read the fine print and set a calendar reminder to avoid extra cost.

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