Who needs a California food handler card for every food employee in California?
Issued by California Department of Public Health (ANSI-accredited course), at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Every food handler gets the card within 30 days of hire and keeps it current. Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties run their own food handler programs in place of the state card; ask the county.
Checked Oct 17, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by California Department of Public Health (ANSI-accredited course).
Sources and dates
CDPH retail food safety training guidance; Health and Safety Code food handler sections. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Every food handler gets the card within 30 days of hire and keeps it current.
Yes. Every food handler gets the card within 30 days of hire and keeps it current.
Yes. Every food handler gets the card within 30 days of hire and keeps it current.
Yes. Every food handler gets the card within 30 days of hire and keeps it current.
Yes. Every food handler gets the card within 30 days of hire and keeps it current.
Yes. Every food handler gets the card within 30 days of hire and keeps it current.
Yes. Every food handler gets the card within 30 days of hire and keeps it current.
Yes. Every food handler gets the card within 30 days of hire and keeps it current.
Yes. Every food handler gets the card within 30 days of hire and keeps it current.
No. In California it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In California it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In California it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In California it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In California it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In California it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In California it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In California it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In California it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In California it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In California it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
California Department of Public Health (ANSI-accredited course).
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a California food handler card in California? | DoorWorthy