United States · Food safety certificationCalCode at a glance
| Who needs it | One certified owner or employee per food facility |
|---|---|
| On site at all hours? | Not required |
| Deadline | 60 days |
| Exams accepted | ANSI-accredited, CFP standard |
| Valid for | 5 years |
| Local extras | No extra city or county certificate allowed |
| Other staff | Food handler card within 30 days, valid 3 years |
Who needs ServSafe certification in California?
Health and Safety Code section 113947.1 asks for at least one food safety certified owner or employee at each food facility that prepares, handles or serves non-prepackaged potentially hazardous food, except temporary food facilities. That person can't be the certified person for another facility, and doesn't have to be there during all hours of operation.
Facilities with no potentially hazardous food can either have a certified person or show the inspector their staff have adequate knowledge. A new facility, a change of owner or losing your certified person gives you 60 days to comply. Keep the certificate on file at the facility.
Which exams count, and for how long
Section 113947.3 accepts exams from organizations accredited by ANSI as meeting the Conference for Food Protection standard, proctored under secure conditions. The law says at least one accepted exam must cost no more than $60 and one must be available online. Certificates are valid for five years from the date first issued, and section 113947.1 says certified people must recertify every five years.
Sacramento County's list of accepted exams says it can't accept non-ANSI-CFP certificates, and lists ServSafe, NRFSP, Prometric and 360training among others.
No extra city or county certificate
Sections 113947.4 and 113947.5 say no city or county can ask for another food safety certificate or document on top of this one, or charge to verify it, and the certification is recognized throughout the state.
Food handler cards for other staff
Section 113948 says food employees must get a California food handler card within 30 days of hire. It lasts three years and comes from an ANSI-accredited provider. The course takes about 2.5 hours, with at least 40 questions and a 70% pass mark, and at least one option must cost no more than $15.
The employer pays for the training time and costs, and can't make an existing card a condition of hiring. Grocery stores, school cafeterias, health facilities and some others are exempt. A few local programs that started before January 1, 2009 run their own cards.
Sources: California Retail Food Code · Sacramento County EMD and 1 more. Checked October 2026.
- California Retail Food Code (CalCode), effective January 1, 2026, via Sacramento County EMD ↗
- Sacramento County EMD: Food safety exam and food handler list (8/14/2026) ↗
- Sacramento County EMD: Food facility owner FAQs ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.