Yes. Our California Food Handler Card satisfies California Senate Bill 602 (SB 602), codified as California Health & Safety Code §§ 113948–113949. All food workers in California are required to obtain a food handler card within 30 days of hire, and our card meets that statewide requirement in 56 of 58 counties.

Yes. Our California Food Handler Card is accepted in Los Angeles, Orange, Sacramento, San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Clara, Fresno, Kern, Ventura, and 47 other California counties. It satisfies California Health & Safety Code §§ 113948–113949 (SB 602) requirements. Three counties run their own separate programs: San Diego County has its own approved program (we offer a dedicated San Diego course), while Riverside and San Bernardino counties require a county-issued card instead.

No. Riverside County operates its own food handler card program through the Department of Environmental Health and does not accept the statewide ANSI-accredited card. If you work in a food establishment in Riverside County, you’ll need to obtain your card directly through rivcoeh.org. Our card is accepted in the other 56 California counties.

No. San Bernardino County operates its own food handler card program through the Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Services division, and does not accept the statewide ANSI-accredited card. If you work in a food establishment in San Bernardino County, you’ll need to obtain your card directly through wp.sbcounty.gov/dph. Our statewide card is accepted in the other 55 counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, and Kern. For San Diego County, we offer a dedicated San Diego course.

About 60 to 90 minutes on average. The course is fully self-paced, so you can complete it in one sitting or spread it across multiple sessions. You save your progress automatically and can resume where you left off from any device. Most students finish and receive their certificate the same day they start.

Yes. Once you pass the final exam, your California Food Handler Card is available immediately as a downloadable, printable PDF. There is no waiting period, no mail delay, and no in-person appointment required. Most students go from enrollment to certificate in under two hours.

Yes. The California Food Handler course is available in both English and Spanish and other languages. You can switch languages at any point during the course, and your certificate is issued in the language you selected. The Spanish version is a complete translation of all course content, quiz questions, and final exam.

Yes. Under California Senate Bill 602, anyone employed in a food facility who prepares, stores, or serves food must obtain a food handler card within 30 days of hire. This includes cooks, servers, bussers, hosts, dishwashers, bartenders, food truck workers, and grocery deli staff. The card is valid for 3 years and must be renewed to remain compliant.

Your California Food Handler Card is valid for 3 years from the date of issue. After 3 years, you’ll need to complete a renewal course and pass the exam again to maintain your certification. Your certificate includes the issue date and expiration date printed on it, and we recommend keeping a digital copy on your phone in addition to the printed version.

Yes. Any California employer in the 56 covered counties is legally required to accept any ANSI-accredited food handler card issued by an approved provider. Your certificate includes the ANSI accreditation number, the issuing provider (Always Food Safe), your name, and the issue/expiration dates. If your employer has any questions about accreditation, they can verify our program directly through the ANSI National Accreditation Board.

$15.95 — that’s the total cost. It includes the full online course, exam, and your official food handler certificate delivered immediately upon passing. There are no hidden fees, no monthly subscription, and no charge for reissuing your certificate if you lose the PDF. The price is the same whether you take the course in English or Spanish.