While not mandatory for students, many culinary programs require food handler certification as part of their coursework.

Yes, employees handling food at concession stands, cafes, or restaurants within these establishments must obtain a Food Handler Card.

Yes, all employees handling food at resorts, lodges, and casinos must complete an approved food handler training course.

Yes, California allows online food handler courses as long as they are accredited and meet state requirements.

Yes, most restaurant employees handling food must have a valid Food Handler Card.

Yes, all employees handling food in a catering business must be certified.

Employees involved in food preparation, such as deli workers, must have a Food Handler Card. General grocery clerks who do not handle food are exempt.

While all cities follow state regulations, some counties may have stricter enforcement policies or require additional training. For example, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties have separate food handler card programs.

Yes, school cafeteria employees must have a valid Food Handler Card.

Yes.

Effective January 1, 2024, SB 476 requires employers to pay for the costs associated with the training and testing for Food Handlers Card & Certificates.

In addition to paying for the costs associated with the food handlers card training and testing, the employer must pay the employee for the time associated with the training and testing (2 hours of paid leave).

Yes, California requires most food workers to complete an approved food handler training course and obtain a Food Handler Card within 30 days of employment.

To get a food handler's card in California, follow these simple steps:

1. Choose an Approved Training Program: Select a food handler training course that is approved by the California Department of Public Health. FHC Food Handler Classes offers a state-approved food handler training program that’s 100% online.
    
2. Complete the Online Course: The food safety training covers critical food safety topics such as proper hygiene, preventing cross-contamination, cooking and holding temperatures, and safe food storage. The FHC Food Handler Classes course typically takes 1 to 2 hours to complete.
    
3. Pass the Final Exam: After completing the Food Handler training course, you’ll take a multiple-choice FHC exam that tests your understanding of food safety principles. The exam is designed to be straightforward and easy to pass.
    
4. Receive Your California Food Handler Card: Once you pass the exam, you can immediately download and print your official FHC Food Handler Classes California food handler certificate and card. Keep a copy for yourself and provide one to your employer.
    
5. Renew Your Card: In California, your FHC food handler card is valid for three years. Be sure to renew it before it expires to stay compliant with state regulations.

At FHC Food Handler Classes, we offer a fast, affordable, and approved way to earn your California food handler card online!

You must pass an approved food handler training course and exam, which can be taken online or in-person through a certified provider.

The card is valid for three years and must be renewed by passing an approved food handler course.

FHC is only $7 for each Food Handler Training program.  For 5 or more bulk codes, the cost is reduced to $6 per Access Code.  Some employers may cover the cost for their employees.

About Certified Food Handler

The California Senate Bill No. 602 require a food handler who is hired prior to June 1, 2011, to obtain a food handler card on or before July 1, 2011. The bill would require food handlers hired after June 1, 2011, to obtain a food handler card within 30 days of his or her date of hire. It would require each food handler to maintain a valid food handler card for the duration of his or her employment as a food handler.

How do you become certified?
You will have to take a basic food safety training course with a score of 70 percent or better. The food handler may obtain a California Food Handler Card from:

An ANAB (American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board) accredited training provider that meets ASTM International E2659-09 Standard Practice for Certificate Programs.

Employers may face fines, and employees may be restricted from working with food until they complete the required training.

You can verify your certification through the FHC® web site verficiation system.

En California, seguridad para manipuladores de alimentos es un requisito laboral para los trabajadores de alimentos.odos los manipuladores de alimentos deben completar un curso de capacitación acreditado en seguridad alimentaria y luego aprobar un examen. El certificado de esta evaluación sirve para la obtención de la tarjeta de manipulador de alimentos.