California Online Food Handler Program
This California Online Food Handler Program is ANAB-accredited and designed to give food service employees a simple, effective and affordable option for online food safety training. The course content has been updated for the 2022 FDA Food Code, the latest version of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's food safety guidelines.
California food handler certificate holders are qualified to:
- Identify behaviors associated with foodborne illnesses and outbreaks
- Explain the correct procedures for bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods
- Describe methods that prevent foodborne contamination
- Understand proper cleaning and sanitization techniques
- List control measures to ensure food safety
After you complete the 2.5-hour course, you can instantly download your food handler card! Simply print a copy for your employer and keep one for your own records.
Getting Your California Food Handler Card Is as Easy as 1-2-3!
Register for the Course
Sign up online using our secure payment system. You have up to 90 days to complete the course after you enroll.
Complete Your Training
Follow the course material, which includes 2.5 hours of learning and a final exam. Our program is 100% online, so you can train 24/7 on your own schedule. You have up to two chances to pass the final exam.
Print Your Certificate
After you pass the final exam with a score of at least 70%, you can instantly download your food handler card. Your certificate remains valid for three years.
Who Needs a California Food Handler Card?
Most food handlers at retail food establishments in California are required to complete food safety training within 30 days of employment. A food handler is any food service employee who works with unpackaged food, utensils or food equipment, or surfaces that come in contact with food.
You may need a California food handler card if you work as a:
- Cook or chef
- Bartender or barback
- Busser
- Server or wait staff member
- Host or hostess
- Dishwasher
- Caterer
- Baker or pastry chef
Food safety training requirements can vary depending on your job and your county of employment, so it's important to ask your employer about its specific training requirements.
Course Topics
Topics you'll learn about in the California Online Food Handler program include:
- Basics of hygiene and food safety
- Common foodborne illnesses
- Preventing food contamination
- Proper cleaning and sanitization techniques
- Time and temperature controls
About ANAB Accreditation
The California Online Food Handler Program is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) through our partner StateFoodSafety. Upon successful completion of the course, students are issued a certificate in food handling. Learning materials in the course meet training requirements outlined in the California Food Handler Card Law (SB 303), the California Retail Food Code 2018 and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's 2022 Food Code. Learning materials in the course meet training requirements outlined in the California Food Handler Card Law (SB 303), the California Retail Food Code 2018 and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's 2022 Food Code.
Our food handler certificate is accepted by retail food establishments in all California counties except Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego. These counties have separate standards and requirements for food handler training.