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Who needs a person in charge with food safety knowledge; food protection manager and food handler permits in Lincoln and Omaha in Nebraska?

Issued by Nebraska Department of Agriculture (Nebraska Food Code); Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department; Douglas County Health Department, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.

9 of the 20 kinds of business in Nebraska

Does not need it

The state code requires a person in charge on site during all hours who can demonstrate food safety knowledge at every inspection, and a certificate from an accredited food protection manager exam is the usual way to show it. Lincoln-Lancaster County goes further and issues its own manager permit on proof of an accredited exam, and requires a food handler permit for staff; Douglas County began its own food handler permit program in 2026. Ask the local health department which permits it expects before the opening inspection.

Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Nebraska Department of Agriculture (Nebraska Food Code); Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department; Douglas County Health Department.

Sources and dates

Nebraska Food Code (FDA Food Code as adopted under the Pure Food Act); Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department food handler and food protection manager permit sheet; Douglas County Health Department food safety pages. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.