State of California
Food Handler Certification Requirements

Each food facility shall have at least one person, an owner or employee, who has passed an approved food safety certification exam.

• New owners of food facilities will have sixty days to comply with certification.
• The certified person need not be present during all hours that the food facility is in operation.
• The certified person cannot serve as the certified person at more than one food facility at the same time.
• The food safety certificate issued by the testing agency shall be kept on file at the food facility.
• Certificates will satisfy the requirement for five years from the date of the examination, regardless of the expiration date on the certificate.
• Certified persons shall re-certify every five years, by passing an approved food safety program exam.
• The person with certification is responsible for training and monitoring the safe food handling practices of the other employees.

The County of Sonoma Environmental Health Division offers Food Safety Handler Certification classes. The course is based on National Registry of Food Safety Professionals.

County of Sonoma Department of Health Services
Environmental Health Division
475 Aviation Blvd., Suite 220
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Phone (707) 565-6565
Fax (707) 565-6525

A class and test in English are available on the first Tuesday of the month. To register, call (707) 565-6542.

Food Handler Certification Class Information
Application for Food Handler Certification

A class and test in Spanish are available on February 25, April 14, June 9, August 11, October 13, and December 8. To register, call (707) 565-6539.

Información sobre clase para la Certificación en Seguridad Alimenticia (FSC)
Solicitud para la clase/examen para la Certificación en Seguridad Alimenticia

The following vendors also provide food safety classes and certification. They have requested to be listed by the Environmental Health Division:

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