Food Handler Card Requirements in California
California requires food handler training statewide: covered food employees must complete an accepted course and keep proof of it. This page lays out the deadline, which courses actually count, what it costs, and how long the card lasts — every fact checked against the official sources cited below.
California Food Handler Card at a Glance
- Card required?
- Required statewide
- Deadline
- Within 30 days of hire (Health & Safety Code sec. 113948; employees hired before June 1, 2011 had until July 1, 2011).
- Cost
- Set by providers, but HSC sec. 113948 requires at least one training option at $15 or less; since Jan 1, 2024 (SB 476) employers must pay all training costs and count training time as compensable hours worked, and may not require an applicant to already hold a card. County programs: San Bernardino County online training+test $22; San Diego County $2 training packet plus school-set course fees; Riverside County fee set by county Ordinance No. 640.
- Valid for
- 3 years from issuance (statewide card); San Diego County certificate 3 years; Riverside County certificate expires 2 years after issuance per Ordinance 567 sec. 7.
- Approved courses
- Official California approved-provider list
FoodHandlerTest is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the National Restaurant Association (ServSafe) or any certifying organization.
Does California Require a Food Handler Card?
Every state writes its own food safety rules. Of the 10 states we have published so far, 8 require food handler training statewide, 1 leaves the decision to counties, and 1 requires no individual card at all. California sits in the statewide group: the requirement follows you to any food job in the state, though local health departments handle enforcement.
Your deadline
Within 30 days of hire (Health & Safety Code sec. 113948; employees hired before June 1, 2011 had until July 1, 2011).
Accepted Food Handler Training in California
Food handler card from an ANSI (now ANAB)-accredited training provider meeting the ASTM E2659 certificate-program standard; allergen training required in the course since Jan 1, 2021. A valid Certified Food Protection Manager / food safety certification substitutes for the card. State cards are NOT accepted in San Diego, Riverside, or San Bernardino counties, which run their own programs.
FoodHandlerTest is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the National Restaurant Association (ServSafe) or any certifying organization.
Statewide vs. County Rules in California
Three counties are exempt from the state card law (HSC 113948(f)) and run their own programs — a state ANAB-provider card is not valid there:
| Where | What counts | Deadline | Valid for |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego County | County card from a county-authorized school (80% pass) or a county test given by the facility’s certified food safety manager | 10-day grace period for new hires | 3 years |
| Riverside County | County Food Handler Certificate through the county program (Ordinance 567); state cards not valid | Within 7 days of starting work | 2 years |
| San Bernardino County | Card from county Environmental Health Services only ($22 online); other counties’ cards not accepted | Not published | Not published |
| Everywhere else in California | Statewide card from an ANSI (ANAB)-accredited provider | Within 30 days of hire | 3 years |
Table condensed from the official sources cited at the bottom of this page. The full verified detail:
Three counties are exempt from the state card law (HSC 113948(f), jurisdictions with local programs predating 2009) and require their OWN cards: (1) San Diego County - card from a county-authorized food handler training school (3-hr course, 80% pass) or a county food handler test administered by the facility's certified food safety manager; new hires get a 10-day grace period (County Code sec. 61.114); county-authorized school list includes many ANSI providers (ServSafe, StateFoodSafety, 360training/Learn2Serve, etc.) but 'not all courses in California are accepted here.' (2) Riverside County - county Food Handler Certificate required within 7 days of starting work (Ordinance 567); training/exam through the county program (county says state cards are not valid there). (3) San Bernardino County - card from county Environmental Health Services only ($22 online); 'food handler cards from other counties, programs or companies are not an acceptable substitute.' Everywhere else in CA the state ANAB-provider card is valid; enforcement is by ~62 local environmental health agencies.
Food Manager Certification in California
The food handler card is not the only training rule — California also has a separate requirement for certified food protection managers:
Yes - HSC sec. 113947.1: every food facility that prepares/handles/serves nonprepackaged potentially hazardous (TCC) food must have at least one owner or employee who has passed an approved, accredited food safety certification exam (CFPM); 60 days to comply after opening, ownership change, or losing the certified person; recertification every 5 years. Food-handler-card holders are NOT exempt from this; conversely a valid manager certificate replaces the handler card.
Preparing for a manager exam?
Manager exams go deeper than food handler courses — HACCP, active managerial control, and temperature rules in detail. Our free practice test mirrors that format, with an explanation for every answer.
Free Food Manager Practice TestCalifornia Food Handler Card FAQs
Do you need a food handler card in California?
Yes — the requirement applies statewide. Within 30 days of hire (Health & Safety Code sec. 113948; employees hired before June 1, 2011 had until July 1, 2011).
How much does a food handler card cost in California?
Set by providers, but HSC sec. 113948 requires at least one training option at $15 or less; since Jan 1, 2024 (SB 476) employers must pay all training costs and count training time as compensable hours worked, and may not require an applicant to already hold a card. County programs: San Bernardino County online training+test $22; San Diego County $2 training packet plus school-set course fees; Riverside County fee set by county Ordinance No. 640.
How long is a California food handler card valid?
3 years from issuance (statewide card); San Diego County certificate 3 years; Riverside County certificate expires 2 years after issuance per Ordinance 567 sec. 7.
What food handler training does California accept?
Food handler card from an ANSI (now ANAB)-accredited training provider meeting the ASTM E2659 certificate-program standard; allergen training required in the course since Jan 1, 2021. A valid Certified Food Protection Manager / food safety certification substitutes for the card. State cards are NOT accepted in San Diego, Riverside, or San Bernardino counties, which run their own programs.
Does California require a certified food manager?
Yes - HSC sec. 113947.1: every food facility that prepares/handles/serves nonprepackaged potentially hazardous (TCC) food must have at least one owner or employee who has passed an approved, accredited food safety certification exam (CFPM); 60 days to comply after opening, ownership change, or losing the certified person; recertification every 5 years. Food-handler-card holders are NOT exempt from this; conversely a valid manager certificate replaces the handler card.
Sources
Last reviewed July 21, 2026. Every fact on this page was checked against the primary sources below on the dates shown.
- California Health & Safety Code sec. 113948 (Food Handler Card law) Accessed July 21, 2026
- California Health & Safety Code sec. 113947.1 (Food safety certification / CFPM) Accessed July 21, 2026
- San Diego County DEHQ - Food Handler Program Accessed July 21, 2026
- San Diego County Code sec. 61.114 - Food Handler Requirements Accessed July 21, 2026
- San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services - Food Handlers & Managers Accessed July 21, 2026
- Riverside County Ordinance No. 567 (amended thru 567.4) - Regulating Food Handlers Accessed July 21, 2026
- CDPH Food Safety Program Accessed July 21, 2026
Ready for the Test at the End of the Course?
Approved courses end with a short exam. Our free practice test covers the same core food safety topics — hygiene, cross-contamination, temperatures, cleaning — with instant scoring and explanations. No signup.
FoodHandlerTest is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the National Restaurant Association (ServSafe) or any certifying organization.