New California Law Requires Employers to Cover Food Handler Training Costs

March 13, 2025

What You Need to Know About SB 476 and Food Handler Training in California

If you work in the food service industry in California, recent legislation (SB 476 – Chapter 610) has introduced significant changes to food handler training requirements. As of January 1, 2025, employers must pay employees for the time spent completing food handler training and cover any associated costs.

Here’s what you need to know about the new law and how it affects both employees and employers.

What Is a Food Handler Card?

A Food Handler Card is a certificate required for most employees in California who serve or handle food. Under the California Retail Food Code, workers must complete an ANSI-accredited food handler training program and pass an exam to receive a valid Food Handler Card. This certificate is valid for three years and is recognized across the state, except in jurisdictions with pre-existing local food handler programs established before January 1, 2009.

What Changed with SB 476?

Previously, employees were responsible for obtaining and paying for their Food Handler Card. However, under SB 476, employers now have several new responsibilities:

Training Time Must Be Paid: Employers must compensate employees for the time spent completing food handler training and taking the required exam. This is now considered "hours worked" under California labor law.
Employers Must Cover Training Costs: Employees should not have to pay out-of-pocket for training, exam fees, or certificate expenses.
No Work During Training: While completing the training, employees must be relieved of all other job duties to focus on the course and exam.
No Pre-Employment Requirement: Employers cannot require job applicants to already have a Food Handler Card before hiring them. Instead, employees must obtain thecertificate within 30 days of hire, with costs covered by their employer.
Local Health Departments Must Provide Training Links: By January 1, 2025, California’s Department of Public Health will post a list of approved food handler training programs online. Local public health departments will be required to share this information on their websites.

Who Needs a Food Handler Card?

This law applies to most food service workers, including those in restaurants, cafés, and food stalls. However, there are exceptions. The following workers do not need a Food Handler Card:

Grocery store employees (except for those in in-store food preparation areas like delis and bakeries)
Certified farmer’s market vendors
Healthcare facility employees handling food
Public and private school cafeteria workers
Employees at facilities used for the confinement of adults or minors (such as jails, juvenile detention centers, etc.)
Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements that include food safety training

How Does This Affect Employers?

Employers must ensure their staff obtains food handler certificate within 30 days of hire and maintain proper records. Failure to comply could lead to penalties and enforcement actions under the California Retail Food Code.

Additionally, at least one state-approved food handler training program must be available for $15 or less. If no training provider meets this cost, then the food handler requirement will not apply.

How to Get a Food Handler Card

At LIQUORexam.com, we offer an ANSI-accredited online food handler training course that meets California’s requirements. Our course is designed to be fast, affordable, and easy to complete, allowing you to print your certificate immediately after passing the exam.

✅ 100% Online – No Scheduling Required
✅ Meets California’s Legal Requirements
✅ Instant Printable Certificate Upon Completion
✅ Affordable Pricing – Only $4.95

For Employers:

If you need to enroll multiple employees, we offer corporate accounts that make it easy to track training completion and ensure compliance with SB 476.

Get Certified Today!

With SB 476 now in effect, it’s more important than ever for California businesses to stay compliant with food safety laws. If you’re an employer, make sure you’re covering the costs of training and compensating employees for their time. If you’re an employee, know your rights and ensure your employer is providing paid training.

Enroll in California Food Handler Training Now:
➡️ LIQUORexam.com California Food Handler Training