CALIFORNIA FOOD HANDLER CARD LAW GUIDELINES
SB 602 – FOOD HANDLER CARD REQUIREMENTS
Implementation
Current law (SB 602) allows a food handler to obtain a card only from a food protection manager
organization described in Section 113947.3, and requires food handlers to obtain a card before July 1,
2011.
To allow time for the clarifications to be adopted, the stakeholder group and CCDEH recommend that
from July 1, 2011 until January 1, 2012 enforcement of the law will be limited to education and
notification of requirements for compliance.
All cards issued in compliance with the existing requirements of SB 602 or the recommended revised
requirements, once adopted, shall be valid for 3 years from date of issuance.
All local enforcement agencies are urged to adopt this approach to SB 602 implementation and to
notify regulated facilities accordingly. Additional information on implementation of SB 602 will be
provided in a guidance document.