Get a food handler card

Most people who work with food need to have a food handler card in California. Your facility can get a health code violation if you do not have your card.

But you do not need a card if you volunteer or work at a:

• certified farmers market
• food supply store or supermarket for the military (commissary)
• grocery store (unless it is a separately owned food business inside of the store)
• licensed health care facility
• mobile support unit
• public and private school cafeteria
• retail store where a majority of sales are from a pharmacy
• snack bar at a place where the majority of sales are from admission tickets
• elderly nutrition programs
• city, county, and state detention facilities, like a jail, juvenile hall, camp, or ranch

By law, at least 1 person at a retail food facility like a restaurant has to be a food safety manager.

This person can be the:

• owner
• manager
• chef
• cook

Learn about getting certified as a food safety manager.