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Foodhandler Program

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Inspector taking food temperature

 FOOD HANDLER CARDS/ TESTS

All food handlers are required by San Diego County Code to possess either a valid food handler card issued by a county-authorized food handler training school or a County of San Diego food handler test administered by the current food safety manager who has passed a state-approved food safety certification exam.

FOOD HANDLER CARD RENEWALS

Food handler cards are valid for 3 years, and can be renewed by taking a short exam and paying a renewal fee at one of our offices between 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.

  • 1255 Imperial Avenue, 3rd Floor, San Diego
  • 200 E. Main St., 6th Floor, El Cajon
  • 151 Carmel St., San Marcos

Certified Food Safety Manager

In addition to the County's food handler training requirement there is also a state requirement for a certified food safety manager. State law requires each food facility to have at least one owner/ employee that has passed a state-approved food safety certification exam. Each certification is applicable to only one facility. These certificates are valid for 5 years and must be renewed. The state-approved exams are:

ServSafe / National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
Phone:    (800) 765-4842   Website: http://www.nraef.org

Experior Assessments aka Thompson Prometrics
Phone:    (800) 624-2736
Website:  http://www.prometric.com/foodsafety/

National Registry of Food Safety Professionals
Phone:    (619) 885-5522 or (800)446-0257
Website:  http://www.nrfsp.com

 

Additional resources

Food safety certification requirements

Foodhandler Training requirements under San Diego County Code 

Foodhandler training schools list (County authorized)

Foodhandler Booklet (English)

Foodhandler Booklet (Spanish)

Foodhandler Booklet (Chinese)

Foodhandler Booklet (Vietnamese)

Contacts

General Information: (619) 338-2484 
General Information in Spanish: (619) 338-2397
Food handler Training Schools Listing: (619) 338-2093

If you have any questions, please call (619) 338-2379 or email fhdutyeh@sdcounty.ca.gov