California Food Handlers Card: How To Get One

Introduction

Having safe and sanitary food handling practices is crucial for any foodservice establishment in California. To ensure food safety, the state requires food handlers employed in the restaurant and hospitality industry to obtain a California Food Handlers Card. This card certifies that employees have undergone training on proper food handling techniques and understand how to prevent foodborne illnesses.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about the California Food Handlers Card, including who needs one, how to get it, where to take required courses, the benefits it provides, and more. With over 700,000 foodservice workers in the state, having a food handlers card is an essential credential.

Requirements for California Food Handlers Card

The California Food Handlers Card law, officially known as AB 1978, applies to all food handlers employed in California who are involved in the preparation, storage, service, or presentation of food. This includes anyone working in foodservice ranging from restaurants, buffets, and cafeterias to grocery stores, movie theaters, and hotels.

To obtain a food handlers card, individuals must take an approved food safety training course and exam. The course covers topics like proper cooking temperatures, storage standards, preventing cross-contamination, safe food handling procedures, and ways to limit foodborne illness. The training and exam are mandatory for all food handlers except in certain exempt settings.

Exemptions exist for certain venues like temporary food facilities, certified farmers’ markets, commissaries, grocery stores, or commercial food processors. Also exempt are some nonprofit organizations, assisted living facilities, and private home kitchens. However, many exempted establishments still opt to require a card for best food safety practices.

Children under the age of 18 do not need a California food handler card. Food certification is also not mandated for people serving food in a live-in private home or those who do not serve food as part of their regular duties. Self-certifications are never permitted as a substitute.

How to Get a California Food Handlers Card

Obtaining a California Food Handlers Card involves a few simple steps:

Locate an approved food safety training course. These are offered by state and local health departments, private providers, community colleges, or online.
Register and pay any fees for the course. Many options are available for little to no cost.
Take the training and pass the exam. Courses review food safety topics; the exam tests your knowledge.
Obtain your food handler card upon successful completion. Digital cards can be downloaded instantly in some cases.
Print your card or save it on your mobile device. It must be presented to employers when requested.

The training course and exam typically take 1-2 hours to complete. The card is valid for 3 years statewide before requiring renewal. Signing up for reminder alerts can help you renew on time before expiration.

Where to Take Courses for California Food Handlers Card

Many convenient options are available for completing food handler training and testing in California:

Online courses allow self-paced learning and same-day card access after passing the exam. Training providers like eFoodHandlers and Learn2Serve offer approved courses.
Local health departments like San Diego County’s offer in-person classes and testing around the county.
Community colleges like Santa Monica College integrate food handler content into hospitality courses. Students receive cards upon completion.
Private providers like 360training allow online, mobile, and group training options for businesses and individuals.
Points of purchase like grocery stores and pharmacies may offer on-site training kiosks for customers to receive cards.

Review approved providers in your county to find the food handler training option most accessible and affordable for your needs. Taking the course online can provide the quickest and most convenient solution in many cases.

List of Approved Courses and Course Providers

Below is a list of approved training companies that provide courses necessary to obtain a California Food Handlers Certificate. Each course provider is accredited and recognized by the state of California. Please visit the respective websites for more information on their courses.

AAA Food Handler: https://www.aaafoodhandler.com
123 Premier Food Safety: https://www.123premierfoodsafety.com
A Plus Food Training L.L.C.: https://www.aplusfoodtraining.com
ACE Food Handler: https://www.acefoodhandler.com
Altametrics Zip Food Handler Card: https://www.zipfoodhandler.com
Certus/StateFoodSafety: https://www.statefoodsafety.com
Cogneti LLC Safe Food Handler Certificate: https://www.cogneti.com
Dining RD Food Handler – Safety and Certificate Course: https://www.diningrd.com
EduClasses® Food Handler Classes: https://www.foodhandlerclasses.com
Always Food Safe: https://alwaysfoodsafe.com
eFoodHandlers: https://www.cafoodhandlers.com
San Diego County Approved Courses: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/deh/fhd/food/foodhandler.html (Please note that not all California food handler card courses are approved in San Diego County. Make sure to verify if the course is approved for San Diego County before enrolling).

Master list of approved courses hosted on ANSI’s website:

ANSI Master List

Benefits of Having a California Food Handlers Card

Obtaining proper food safety training and certification through the food handler card program offers many advantages:

For employees:

Increased income potential by meeting legal requirements for foodservice employment
Improved professionalism and resume credentials
Better understanding of food safety to prevent health risks

For businesses:

Compliance with state and local food handling laws and ordinances
Reduced liability risks associated with foodborne outbreaks
Proper training of staff on preparing and serving food safely
Meeting health inspection and permitting requirements

For customers:

Assurance that foodservice staff understand safe food handling
Reduced changes of contracting foodborne illnesses
Increased trust and satisfaction with food establishments

By training food handlers to follow proper protocols, the California Food Handlers Card program helps ensure sanitary conditions and reduce incidents of contamination that make customers sick.

Renewing Your California Food Handlers Card

To maintain valid food handler status in California, employees must renew their card prior to expiration every 3 years. The steps include:

Mark your calendar to retake your food safety course 1-2 months before expiration. Sign up for reminder notifications.
Complete the refresher training and exam, offered in-person or online. Update any expired knowledge.
Immediately print/download your renewed California Food Handlers Card once you pass.
Present your new card to your manager and update your personnel files.
Attach the renewed card information to job applications you submit during the new validity period.

Renewing on time prevents lapses in compliance and career limitations. Some providers offer discounted refresher courses and instant digital card access to simplify renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions about California Food Handlers Card

Do I need a card if I work at a grocery deli or buffet?
- Yes, except in certain exempt settings, food handlers in grocery and buffet venues need certification.
Is a food handler card from another state valid in California?
- No, only a California-approved food handler card meets requirements here.
Who pays for the food handler training and card?
- In most cases, the employer is responsible for any fees related to their employees’ certification.
What happens if my card expires?
- You cannot legally continue handling food until you complete renewal requirements. Lapses can put employers’ permits at risk.
Can I take the course and exam in Spanish?
- Yes, many providers offer approved food handler training and testing in Spanish.

Conclusion

Obtaining a California Food Handlers Card demonstrates a commitment to food safety. Following this guide provides all the information needed to get certified, renew on time, and elevate your foodservice career. With proper training, food handlers play a vital role in keeping customers healthy.

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