113948
. (a) (1) Subject to the exceptions described in subdivision
(d), a food handler who is hired prior to June 1, 2011, shall obtain
a food handler card on or before July 1, 2011. Subject to the
exceptions described in subdivision (d), a food handler who is hired
on or after June 1, 2011, shall obtain a food handler card within 30
days after the date of hire. Each food handler shall maintain a valid
food handler card for the duration of his or her employment as a
food handler.
(2) Food handler cards shall be valid for three years from the
date of issuance, regardless of whether the food handler changes
employers during that period.
(3) A food handler card shall be recognized throughout the state,
except in jurisdictions described in subdivision (e).
(b) (1) Prior to January 1, 2012, a food handler may obtain a food
handler card from either one of the following:
(A) An American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited
training provider that meets ASTM International E2659-09 Standard
Practice for Certificate Programs.
(B) A food protection manager certification organization described
in Section 113947.3.
(2) Commencing January 1, 2012, a food handler shall obtain a food
handler card only from an American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) accredited training provider that meets ASTM International
E2659-09 Standard Practice for Certificate Programs.
(3) A food handler card shall be issued only upon successful
completion of a food handler training course and examination that
meets at least all of the following requirements:
(A) The course provides basic, introductory instruction on the
elements of knowledge described in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (d),
(e), and (g) of Section 113947.2.
(B) The course and examination is designed to be completed within
approximately two and one-half hours.
(C) The examination consists of at least 40 questions regarding
the required subject matter.
(D) A minimum score of 70 percent on the examination is required
to successfully complete the examination.
(c) The food handler training course and examination may be
offered through a trainer-led class and examination, through the use
of a computer program or the Internet, or through a combination of
trainer-led class and the use of a computer program or the Internet.
The use of the computer program or Internet shall have sufficient
security channels and procedures to guard against fraudulent
activity. However, this subdivision shall not be construed to require
the presence or participation of a proctor during a food handler
training course examination that is provided through a computer
program or the Internet.
(d) This section shall not apply to a food handler who is employed
by any of the following:
(1) Certified farmer's markets.
(2) Commissaries.
(3) Grocery stores, except for separately owned food facilities to
which this section otherwise applies that are located in the grocery
store. For purposes of this paragraph, "grocery store" means a store
primarily engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods,
fresh fruits and vegetables, and fresh meats, fish, and poultry and
any area that is not separately owned within the store where food is
prepared and served, including a bakery, deli, and meat and seafood
counter. "Grocery store" includes convenience stores.
(4) Licensed health care facilities.
(5) Mobile support units.
(6) Public and private school cafeterias.
(7) Restricted food service facilities.
(8) Retail stores in which a majority of sales are from a
pharmacy, as defined in Section 4037 of the Business and Professions
Code, and venues with snack bar service in which the majority of
sales are from admission tickets, but excluding any area in which
restaurant-style sit-down service is provided.
(9) A food facility that provides in-house food safety training to
all employees involved in the preparation, storage, or service of
food if all of the following conditions are met:
(A) The food facility uses a training course that has been
approved for use by the food facility in another state that has
adopted the requirements described in Subpart 2-103.11 of the 2001
edition of the model Food Code, not including the April 2004 update,
published by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
(B) Upon request, the food facility provides evidence satisfactory
to the local enforcement officer demonstrating that the food
facility training program has been approved for use in another state
pursuant to subparagraph (A).
(C) The training is provided during normal work hours, and at no
cost to the employee.
(10) A food facility that is subject to a collective bargaining
agreement with its food handlers.
(11) Any city, county, city and county, state, or regional
facility used for the confinement of adults or minors, including, but
not limited to, a county jail, juvenile hall, camp, ranch, or
residential facility.
(12) An elderly nutrition program, administered by the California
Department of Aging, pursuant to the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42
U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.), as amended.
(e) The requirements of this section shall not apply to a food
handler subject to an existing local food handler program that took
effect prior to January 1, 2009.
(f) Each food facility that employs a food handler subject to the
requirements of this section shall maintain records documenting that
each food handler employed by the food facility possesses a valid
food handler card, and shall provide those records to the local
enforcement officer upon request.
(g) At least one food handler training course and examination
shall cost no more than fifteen dollars ($15), including a food
handler card. If a food handler training course and examination is
not available at that cost, the requirement to obtain a food handler
card imposed by this section shall not apply.