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Florida restaurant and bar license requirements

What Florida asks of restaurants and bars, rule by rule: what each license or card is, who needs it, how long it lasts, and the official source to check it against. Your city or county may add its own.

Last reviewed October 21, 2026

This is a summary to help you plan, not legal advice. Check the linked source before you rely on it.

Cards your people carry

Food service employee training certificate

Every food service employee at a public food service establishment must be trained through a program DBPR approves. The certificate is good for 3 years.

  • Florida Food Handler Certificate

    Who needs it
    Every food service employee.
    Issued by
    A DBPR approved food safety training program
    How long it lasts
    Valid for 3 years.
Who it covers
All food service employees of a public food service establishment licensed by DBPR's Division of Hotels and Restaurants.
Deadline
Within 60 days after employment.
Renewal
Every 3 years. The establishment shows proof of each employee's training on request, including at inspection: name, date of birth, training date and the program used.
Official source

Certified food protection manager

Every manager responsible for storing, preparing, displaying or serving food must pass an approved food manager test. When four or more employees are working with food at once, a certified manager must be there.

  • Certified Food Protection Manager

    Who needs it
    Every manager responsible for food.
    Issued by
    A Conference for Food Protection approved test provider
    How long it lasts
    Valid for 5 years.
Who it covers
All managers responsible for food at an establishment regulated by DBPR. Each licensed establishment designates at least one in writing, and one must be present whenever four or more employees are storing, preparing or serving food at the same time.
Deadline
Within 30 days after employment.
Renewal
Every 5 years from issue. The establishment shows proof of certification on request, including at inspection.
Read closely
Currity tracks each manager's certificate date. Whether a certified manager is present on every busy shift is still yours to schedule.
Official sources

Licenses the business holds

Public food service establishment license

Each public food service establishment holds a DBPR license, renewed every year on a staggered schedule.

  • Food service establishment license

    Who holds it
    Each establishment.
    Kind
    Health permit
    Issued by
    Florida DBPR, Division of Hotels and Restaurants
    How long it lasts
    Valid for 1 year.
Who it covers
Every public food service establishment. Operating without one is a second degree misdemeanor.
Deadline
Before opening.
Renewal
Every year, on the staggered schedule DBPR sets by rule.
Official source

Alcoholic beverage license

A Florida alcoholic beverage license is an annual license, renewed from year to year. One not renewed within 60 days of expiry is canceled.

  • Alcoholic beverage license

    Who holds it
    Each licensed location.
    Kind
    Liquor license
    Issued by
    Florida DBPR, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
    How long it lasts
    Valid for 1 year.
Who it covers
Every licensee under the Beverage Law.
Deadline
Before selling alcohol.
Renewal
Every year, on the Division's renewal schedule. A late renewal costs $5 a month or 5 percent of the fee, whichever is more; not renewed within 60 days of expiry, the license is canceled.
Official source

Keep these current for every restaurant or bar you run.

Currity keeps every date on this page for each person and location, and warns you about each one 90, 60 and 30 days out, then 14, 7 and 1, and on the day.

Start freeHave us load your listHow Currity works for restaurants and bars

From $10 a month. 14 days free, no card.