California food handler requirements

Straight from our requirements engine — the same rules that power the course and the employer portal.

Honest status: FoodCardNow training is live today. Certificates issue once our ANAB accreditation and California approvals are complete.

Certificate validity

3 years

3 years from issue date (HSC §113948)

Course length

About 2 hours

Who pays

Employer (required)

Renewal window

Up to 90 days before expiry

California SB 476

California SB 476 requires employers to pay for food handler training and prohibits paycheck deductions for this cost.

$12.99 — satisfies California's ≤$15 SB 476 requirement (HSC §113948(h)(2)).

County rules

Where county-level rules change the picture:

San Diego

FoodCardNow certificates will NOT be valid in San Diego County — this county runs its own program (San Diego County DEH). Use a county-approved provider.

San Bernardino

FoodCardNow certificates will NOT be valid in San Bernardino County — this county runs its own program (San Bernardino County EHD). Use a county-approved provider.

Riverside

FoodCardNow certificates will NOT be valid in Riverside County — this county runs its own program (Riverside County DEH). Use a county-approved provider.

Los Angeles

Certificate acceptance in Los Angeles County is still being confirmed with LA County Department of Public Health. We'll publish the answer here as soon as it's verified.