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Texas restaurant and bar license requirements

What Texas 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

Texas food handler certificate

Every food employee except the certified food protection manager needs a food handler certificate from an accredited program, recognized statewide.

  • Texas Food Handler Certificate

    Who needs it
    Every food employee who is not the certified manager.
    Issued by
    A DSHS or ANSI accredited food handler program
    How long it lasts
    Valid for 2 years.
Who it covers
All food employees of a food establishment, except the certified food protection manager. Not temporary food establishments.
Deadline
Within 30 days of employment.
Renewal
Until the expiration date printed on the certificate, or 2 years from issue if none is printed. The establishment keeps a certificate of completion for each food employee on site, on paper or electronically.
Official sources

Certified food protection manager on duty

A certified food protection manager must be present during all hours of operation, so every shift needs one on site.

  • Certified Food Protection Manager

    Who needs it
    Enough managers to cover every hour of operation.
    Issued by
    A DSHS or ANSI approved exam provider
    How long it lasts
    Valid for 5 years.
Who it covers
Food establishments, except those the regulator deems minimal risk: prepackaged food only, no exposed food that needs temperature control, or temporary establishments.
Deadline
Whenever the establishment is open.
Renewal
Every 5 years. The original certificate is posted where customers can see it.
Read closely
Currity tracks each manager's certificate date. It does not check shifts: whether a certified manager is on site every hour you are open is still yours to schedule.
Official sources

Not required by law

TABC seller server certification

State law does not require it, but most employers do, because it earns safe harbor: the license is protected from action over an employee's illegal sale when everyone who sells or serves alcohol, and their managers, are certified.

  • TABC Seller Server Certification

    Who needs it
    Anyone who sells or serves alcohol, and their managers, for safe harbor.
    Issued by
    A TABC approved seller server school
    How long it lasts
    Valid for 2 years.
Who it covers
Employees who sell, serve or deliver alcohol, and their immediate managers, at a retailer that wants safe harbor.
Deadline
For safe harbor, within 30 days of hire.
Renewal
Every 2 years from issue.
Official source

Licenses the business holds

Retail food establishment permit

A food establishment needs a permit from the city or county health department where one exists, otherwise from the state.

  • Food establishment permit

    Who holds it
    Each establishment.
    Kind
    Health permit
    Issued by
    Your city or county health department, or Texas DSHS
    How long it lasts
    No expiry set by this rule. See the renewal note.
Who it covers
Every retail food establishment.
Deadline
Before opening.
Renewal
Set by the permitting authority: your city or county health department, or DSHS where there is none. Terms differ from place to place.
Official source

TABC license or permit

A Texas alcohol license or permit is good for two years and expires on the second anniversary of the day it was issued.

  • TABC license or permit

    Who holds it
    Each licensed location.
    Kind
    Liquor license
    Issued by
    Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
    How long it lasts
    Valid for 2 years.
Who it covers
Every business holding a license or permit from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Deadline
Before selling alcohol.
Renewal
Every 2 years. Renewal opens 30 days before expiry. Up to 30 days after, a late renewal is possible with a fee, but licensed activity must stop at expiry unless a renewal with fees is pending; after that, only a new application.
Official sources

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.

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