California Food Handler Card · ANAB-Accredited Training

Get or Renew Your California Food Handler Card

Finish in 90 minutes on any device.

Complete your accredited training online, pass the test, and your California food handler card is on your screen the moment you pass.

California-Accepted. ANAB-Accredited.
Start Now | $15 › Tomar en español

San Diego County has its own approved course

San Diego County requires a county-approved food handler course — and ours is approved there. It’s a separate course from the statewide one, so head over to get started.

San Diego course | $18 ›

Accepted in this county for cottage food

Selling homemade food under California’s cottage food law? You’re in the right place — our ANAB-accredited training is accepted in this county. It’s also accepted here for nursing home and healthcare food service staff, volunteers, and anyone else who needs an accredited food handler card.

Start Now | $15 › Tomar en español

One exception: restaurant and food establishment workers

If you’ll be working in a restaurant or other food establishment permitted by this county, the county requires you to complete food handler training through the county health department directly — contact the county Environmental Health Department for their approved options.

En español: si va a trabajar en un restaurante u otro establecimiento de alimentos con permiso del condado, debe obtener su capacitación directamente a través del Departamento de Salud Ambiental del condado. Nuestro curso no cumple con ese requisito. Para todos los demás — incluida la comida casera (cottage food) — nuestra capacitación sí es aceptada.

Immediate access · Card issued the moment you pass
4.9 out of 5 stars (based on 683 reviews)
 Buying for your team? See group pricing →
FoodSafePal Food handlers card and certificate

How to Earn Your California Food Handler Card

1

Enroll

Takes seconds

Check out in a few clicks — quick and secure, and your course opens the moment you pay.

2

Complete the Course

As little as 90 minutes — pause anytime

Watch short videos and pass the test on your schedule. Most people pass on their first try — and if not, your retake is free.

3

Get Your Card & Certificate

Issued the moment you finish

Download, print, or email your official food handler card and certificate instantly — or upgrade to have a professionally printed copy mailed to you.

San Diego County has its own approved course. The county requires a county-approved food handler course, and ours is approved there — it's separate from the statewide one.

San Diego course | $18 ›

Cottage food, healthcare, volunteers and more: our training is accepted in your county — you're good to go.

Start Now | $15 › Tomar en español

Restaurant and food establishment workers: your county requires training through its Environmental Health Department.

FoodSafePal food handlers card

Does California Require a Food Handler Card?

Yes — California law requires anyone who handles food or works around food-contact surfaces to get a food handler card within 30 days of starting the job. This video explains who needs one, how to get it online, and how to renew it before it expires — all with FoodSafePal.

Why People Like You Choose FoodSafePal

4.9
4.9 out of 5 stars (based on 683 reviews)

Fast and easy

08/20/26

Convenient, fast and easy

chelseagrube
Waco, TX

Great course

08/20/26

This was very convienient and professionally done. Gives you something to be happy to hang on any show you attend to give customers peace of mind. Highly reccomend.

Chad
Kansas City, MO

Very pleased and easy

08/18/26

Watching the video and answering the questions after each chapter will give you a 100% you can do practice test going back to review at anytime before test.

kimberlyh1011
Decatur, IL

Food safe review

08/18/26

Great course, covers everything important you need to know from safety to full operation of a serve safe kitchen. When you finish this course you definitely feel prepared. I feel much better prepared having taken this course.

Jan Creitz
Palm Bay, FL

Easy

08/16/26

Thank you so much

Laura Martin
Phoenix, AZ

Response from FoodSafePal®

THANK YOU, Laura! Congrats on earning your certificate!

Easy!

08/16/26

It was easy and to the point lot a lot of needless info!

Kelly Hollars
Detroit, MI

Response from FoodSafePal®

Thanks, Kelly! We’re big on cutting out unnecessary information, so we’re glad you noticed. Congrats on passing!

Common Questions About Getting or Renewing Your California Food Handler Card

To earn your California Food Handlers Card, simply watch the videos, and pass the test. You can learn and test in as little as 90 minutes.

California requires a food handler card within 30 days of hire if you are involved in food preparation, storage, or handling.

This includes:

  • wait staff
  • chefs and cooks
  • bartenders
  • hosts/hostesses that handle food
  • bussers
  • managers, unless certified as food safety managers
  • food warehouse stockers
  • dishwashers

Conversely, you aren't required to earn a California food handler card if you work at the following places:

  • grocery stores, and grocery store delis, bakeries, meat and produce departments all under one owner
  • retail stores where a majority of sales are from a pharmacy
  • convenience stores
  • commissaries
  • certified farmers' markets
  • health care facilities, including hospital employees
  • school cafeterias
  • temporary food facilities, such as food booths at a community event
  • bed and breakfast facilities
  • correctional or residential facilities
  • elderly nutrition programs

Regardless of these exemptions, however, your employer may still require that you earn a food handlers card.

California’s SB 476 requires your employer to cover all costs — including both the enrollment fee and time to complete the training and test — associated with earning a food handlers card.

Your FoodSafePal food handler card will be valid throughout California, except Riverside and San Bernardino. FoodSafePal has a separate food handler training course approved for use in San Diego.

Your California Food Handlers Card will be issued digitally as soon as you pass the exam. You can download, print, or email it anytime by logging into your account. If you’d like a professionally printed copy mailed to you, you can order one directly from your account.

Your California Food Handler Card is valid for three years from the date you earn it.

Yes, to sell homemade food, California requires you to complete a food processing course. This training satisfies that requirement.

California · Food Handler Card

Ready to Get Your California Food Handler Card?

Train at your pace, and your food handler card is on your screen the moment you pass.

Start Now | $15 › Tomar en español

San Diego County has its own approved course. The county requires a county-approved food handler course, and ours is approved there.

San Diego course | $18 ›

Cottage food, healthcare, volunteers and more: our training is accepted in your county — you're good to go.

Start Now | $15 › Tomar en español

Restaurant and food establishment workers: your county requires training through its Environmental Health Department.

Finish in 90 minutes · Guaranteed acceptance
4.9 out of 5 stars (based on 683 reviews)
 Buying for your team? See group pricing →
Framed FoodSafePal Food Handler Certificate of Training, ANAB-accredited