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California Food Handler Card (Health and Safety Code 113948): how to file it

Every employee who prepares, stores or handles food gets a California Food Handler Card from an accredited course within 30 days of hire; the card is good for 3 years. Anyone holding a valid food manager certificate is exempt.

California Retail Food Code, enforced by the county or city environmental health departmentCaliforniaUpdated October 21, 2026Sources checked October 21, 2026

Agency
California Retail Food Code, enforced by the county or city environmental health department
Where it applies
California
How it's filed
Filed online
Fee
VariesSet by the accredited course.
Renewal
Every 3 years.

Official links

Checked against the agency's own page.

Every filing links to the agency's own page, and every fact comes from an official form or agency page. Agency requirements change; check the agency's page before you file. How we source and check these guides

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This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.

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