California Food Handler Training FAQs
Q: Do I need a new California food handler card for every restaurant where I work?
A: Generally, no. The California food handler card is valid for three years from the date of issuance and belongs to the individual food handler it is issued to, regardless of whether the food handler changes employers during that period or whether the food handler works for two or more different restaurants concurrently. However, food handlers in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties are subject to pre-existing local food handler card programs and pursuant to the California Food Handler Card Law, food handlers in these three counties are exempt from the California Food Handler Card Law while working in these three counties. However, if a food handler works in one of these three counties, and also works in a restaurant outside one of these three counties, then they would have to obtain a California Food Handler Card for the restaurant outside these three counties in addition to being subject to a local food handler card requirement for the three counties.
Q: How long will the course and test take?
A: The law states that the course and test must be designed to be completed within approximately two-and-a-half hours and that the test must have at least 40 questions.
Q: What is covered by the course?
A: The law requires that the course provides basic, introductory instruction on the below listed six elements:
- 1) Food-borne illness, including terms associated with food-borne illness, micro-organisms, hepatitis A, and toxins that can contaminate food and the illness that can be associated with contamination, definition and recognition of potentially hazardous foods, chemical, biological, and physical contamination of food, and the illnesses that can be associated with food contamination, and major contributing factors for food-borne illness.
- 2) The relationship between time and temperature with respect to food-borne illness, including the relationship between time and temperature and micro-organisms during the various food handling, preparation, and serving states, and the type, calibration, and use of thermometers in monitoring food temperatures.
- 3) The relationship between personal hygiene and food safety, including the association of hand contact, personal habits and behaviors, and food employee health to food-borne illness, and the recognition of how policies, procedures, and management contribute to improved food safety practices.
- 4) Methods of preventing food contamination in all stages of food handling, including terms associated with contamination and potential hazards prior to, during, and after delivery.
- 5) Procedures for cleaning and sanitizing equipment and utensils.\
- 6) Problems and potential solutions associated with temperature control, preventing cross-contamination, housekeeping and maintenance.
Q: How much does a food handler card cost?
A: There is only one stipulation in the law regarding food handler cards. At least one food handler training and testing provider must offer the course for $15.00 or less; however, it is up to each food handler training and testing provider to determine the cost of their products and services
Q: I heard that there will be changes to the California Food Handler Card Law this year. What are the changes, when are they effective and how does this effect enforcement of the current law until then?
A: The original law was enacted by the passage of SB 602 in 2010 (Health and Safety Code 113790 et seq.). Since then, concerns have been raised by industry, food safety training organizations, training providers and local enforcement agencies over the implementation of the new law and the July 1, 2011 compliance deadline. CCDEH is working with the California Retail Food Safety Coalition (CRFSC), California Restaurant Association (CRA) and other stakeholders, to propose clarifying amendments to the law and provide additional guidance. These statutory clarifications or amendments are currently moving through the legislative process and once they are signed into law, they will be effective immediately upon signature by the governor.
Statutory Clarifications (proposed amendments to law):
This stakeholder group has proposed that statutory clarifications be made to the food handler training and test requirements on an urgency basis.
The proposed statutory clarifications, if approved by the governor, would:
• Before January 1, 2012 – Allow a food handler to obtain a card from either:
(i) an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited training provider that meets ASTM International 2659 – Standard Practice for Certificate Programs, or
(ii) a food protection manager certification organization described in Section 113947.3.
• After January 1, 2012 – Require a food handler to obtain a card only from an ANSI accredited training provider that meets ASTM International 2659.
Implementation of current law:
Current law (SB 602) allows a food handler to obtain a card only from a food protection manager organization described in Section 113947.3, and requires food handlers to obtain a card before July 1, 2011.
To allow time for the clarifications to be adopted, the stakeholder group recommends that from July 1, 2011 until January 1, 2012 enforcement of the law will be limited to education and notification of requirements for compliance.
All cards issued in compliance with the existing requirements of SB 602 or the recommended revised requirements, once adopted, shall be valid for 3 years from date of issuance. All local enforcement agencies are urged to adopt this approach to SB 602 implementation and to notify regulated facilities accordingly.
Q: How do I get a California food handler card?
A: 1) COURSE:
You must take a course (meeting the specifications for courses as outlined in the law).
2) ASSESSMENT (hereinafter referred to as “test”):
You must take a test and pass with a score of 70 percent or higher. There are several providers who may offer the course. However, the test and food handler card must be issued from a certification organization that is accredited as meeting the requirements of the Conference for Food Protection’s “Standards for Accreditation of Food Protection Manager Certification Programs.”
California Food Handlers Training FAQs -
How do I get a California food handler card?
California Food Handler Training FAQs
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