Jefferson County, AL Food Handler Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 24

   Under the Jefferson County Department of Health rule, who must complete food safety training?

   • AOnly the owner
   • BOnly managers who order food
   • CAll food employees
   • DOnly cashiers
   Show answer

   Answer: C. All food employees

   The Jefferson County Department of Health requires all food employees to complete food safety training, not just managers or owners.

2. Question 2 of 24

   How soon after being hired must a new food employee in Jefferson County be certified?

   • AWithin 1 year
   • BWithin 90 days
   • CWithin 21 days of the hire date
   • DWithin 7 days
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Within 21 days of the hire date

   JCDH says new employees must be certified within 21 days of their hire date.

3. Question 3 of 24

   Which agency runs the food handler training rule for restaurants in Birmingham and the rest of Jefferson County?

   • AThe Jefferson County Department of Health
   • BThe U.S. Department of Labor
   • CThe Birmingham Police Department
   • DThe Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The Jefferson County Department of Health

   Food handler training in Jefferson County is required and run by the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH), the local health department.

4. Question 4 of 24

   Which ways of completing the required training does the Jefferson County Department of Health list?

   • AOnly a video watched at home with no test
   • BOnly a college course
   • COnly a mail-in quiz
   • DIn person, online, or through a Certified Food Safety Manager who is on duty at all times
   Show answer

   Answer: D. In person, online, or through a Certified Food Safety Manager who is on duty at all times

   JCDH says the training may be completed in person, online, or through a Certified Food Safety Manager who is on duty at all times.

5. Question 5 of 24

   When does registration open for an in-person food handler class at the Jefferson County Department of Health?

   • AOnly after the class ends
   • B30 minutes before class time
   • COne week before class
   • DAt midnight on the day before class
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 30 minutes before class time

   JCDH says registration for any class begins 30 minutes before class time, so arrive early with your photo ID.

6. Question 6 of 24

   Where does the Jefferson County Department of Health hold its in-person food handler classes?

   • AAt the state capitol in Montgomery
   • BNowhere; the training is online only
   • CAt any public library or community center in Alabama
   • DAt the Health Department building in Birmingham
   Show answer

   Answer: D. At the Health Department building in Birmingham

   JCDH holds its in-person food handler classes at the Health Department building on 6th Avenue South in Birmingham.

7. Question 7 of 24

   A Jefferson County worker wants to do the required food handler training online. Which course should they use?

   • AAny course from any state, no matter who runs it
   • BA course written by their restaurant's owner
   • CThe county-approved online course that JCDH links to as its exclusive provider
   • DAny free food safety video, even one with no test
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The county-approved online course that JCDH links to as its exclusive provider

   JCDH names one exclusive approved online provider for Jefferson County food handler training and links to it from its food handler classes page.

8. Question 8 of 24

   You move from one Jefferson County restaurant to another. What happens to your food handler card?

   • AIt can be transferred to the new establishment
   • BOnly the old employer can use it
   • CIt must be sent back to the health department first
   • DIt becomes void and you must start over
   Show answer

   Answer: A. It can be transferred to the new establishment

   JCDH says food handler cards are transferable between establishments.

9. Question 9 of 24

   According to JCDH, who is responsible for transferring a food handler certificate to a new establishment?

   • AThe new employer's landlord or building manager
   • BThe city council
   • CThe original holder of the certificate
   • DThe health inspector
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The original holder of the certificate

   JCDH says it is the responsibility of the original holder of the certificate to transfer it.

10. Question 10 of 24

    JCDH says certificates can be transferred only to establishments that have what?

    • AA Certified Food Safety Manager
    • BA liquor license
    • CA drive-through window and a menu board
    • DMore than 50 seats
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A Certified Food Safety Manager

    Under the JCDH page, certificates are transferable only to establishments with Certified Food Safety Managers.

11. Question 11 of 24

    What must you show when you register for an in-person food handler class at the Jefferson County Department of Health?

    • AA photo ID
    • BA birth certificate only
    • CA letter from a doctor
    • DA high school diploma
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A photo ID

    A photo identification must be presented at registration for the in-person class.

12. Question 12 of 24

    Besides English and Spanish, which of these languages is the Jefferson County approved online food handler course offered in?

    • AGerman
    • BFrench
    • CItalian
    • DAmerican Sign Language
    Show answer

    Answer: D. American Sign Language

    JCDH lists the online course in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Tagalog and Serbo-Croatian.

13. Question 13 of 24

    Which chapter of the Alabama State Board of Health rules covers food establishment sanitation?

    • AChapter 100-1-1-.01
    • BChapter 61-25
    • CChapter 511-6-1
    • DChapter 420-3-22
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Chapter 420-3-22

    Alabama's retail food rules are Chapter 420-3-22, Food Establishment Sanitation.

14. Question 14 of 24

    Alabama adopted most of which edition of the FDA Food Code?

    • AThe 2013 Food Code
    • BThe 1999 Food Code
    • CThe 2005 Food Code
    • DNo edition; Alabama wrote its own code
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The 2013 Food Code

    JCDH notes that Alabama adopted most of the 2013 FDA Food Code, and the state rules page links to that edition.

15. Question 15 of 24

    Under Alabama's rules, who in a Priority Category 3 or 4 food establishment must hold a valid certification from an accredited program?

    • AThe permit holder or their designee
    • BOnly the delivery driver
    • CEvery dishwasher
    • DThe county health officer for that district
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The permit holder or their designee

    Rule 420-3-22-.02 says the permit holder or their designee in Priority Category 3 and 4 establishments must hold a valid certification from an accredited program.

16. Question 16 of 24

    In Alabama Priority Category 3 and 4 establishments, when must a certified person in charge be present?

    • ADuring all hours of operation
    • BOnly during health department inspections
    • COnce a month
    • DOnly on weekends
    Show answer

    Answer: A. During all hours of operation

    Since January 1, 2020, a designated person in charge with a valid certification must be present during all hours of operation.

17. Question 17 of 24

    Which establishments are exempt from Alabama's person in charge certification rule?

    • AAll restaurants with a bar
    • BPriority Category 1 and 2 establishments and temporary food establishments
    • CAny business open less than 12 hours a day
    • DHospitals and nursing homes
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Priority Category 1 and 2 establishments and temporary food establishments

    Rule 420-3-22-.02 exempts Priority Category 1 and 2 establishments and temporary food establishments from this certification rule.

18. Question 18 of 24

    In Alabama, a food protection manager certification counts if it was issued within what period?

    • AThe previous 12 months
    • BThe previous ten years
    • CAny time, because it never expires once earned
    • DThe previous five years (60 months)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The previous five years (60 months)

    Alabama's rules accept a certification issued within the previous five years (60 months).

19. Question 19 of 24

    An Alabama inspection finds that a required certification is missing. How long does the establishment have to correct it?

    • A10 days
    • B120 days
    • C24 hours
    • D2 years
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 120 days

    Under Rule 420-3-22-.08, a missing certification must be corrected within 120 days.

20. Question 20 of 24

    Where must an Alabama food establishment keep its permit?

    • AAt the owner's home
    • BPosted in a conspicuous place in the establishment
    • CLocked in the office safe
    • DAt the county courthouse
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Posted in a conspicuous place in the establishment

    Alabama's rules say the permit must be kept posted by the proprietor in a conspicuous place within the food establishment.

21. Question 21 of 24

    What must an Alabama food establishment do with the original inspection report?

    • AKeep it in the office, hidden from customers
    • BDisplay it where the public can see it
    • CMail it back to the inspector
    • DThrow it away after one week
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Display it where the public can see it

    Rule 420-3-22-.08 says the original inspection report must be conspicuously displayed for public view.

22. Question 22 of 24

    Do Alabama's statewide food rules require every food worker to hold a food handler card?

    • ANo, the state rules require a certified person in charge in higher-risk places, and Jefferson County adds its own employee training rule
    • BYes, but only in summer
    • CNo, Alabama has no food rules at all
    • DYes, every worker in every county
    Show answer

    Answer: A. No, the state rules require a certified person in charge in higher-risk places, and Jefferson County adds its own employee training rule

    The state rules set certification for the person in charge, not a card for every worker. Jefferson County requires training for all food employees in its area.

23. Question 23 of 24

    Under Alabama's date marking rule, what applies to refrigerated TCS food with a manufacturer's date limit?

    • AIt must not be used or served after the date limit
    • BThe date can be changed by the manager
    • CThe date only matters for frozen food
    • DIt may be served for 30 days after the printed date
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It must not be used or served after the date limit

    Rule 420-3-22-.03 says such food shall not be used or served after the date limit.

24. Question 24 of 24

    Alabama's rules let a customer order an individual item cooked below the usual temperature, except in which kind of establishment?

    • AOne that sells alcohol
    • BOne that has a drive-through
    • COne that serves a highly susceptible population
    • DOne that is open late at night
    Show answer

    Answer: C. One that serves a highly susceptible population

    Rule 420-3-22-.03 allows individually ordered undercooked items, unless the establishment serves a highly susceptible population such as a hospital or nursing home.

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The real test: Set by the county-approved course