Food Handlers & Managers
Food Handler Training
Food employees working in San Bernardino County are required to obtain a food handler card from San Bernardino County, Environmental Health Services only. Food handler cards from other counties, programs or companies are not an acceptable substitute. Please call or text 1 (800) 442‐2283 for more information about our food handler training.
The training and test is available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and costs $22. Only credit, debit and prepaid debit cards are accepted. The training and test is available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese and American Sign Language (ASL).
Access the online Food Handler Training and Test.
Q: For the best possible viewing experience of the San Bernardino Online Food Handler Training, what system requirements do you recommend?
A: A DSL internet connection of 1mb or higher, or a dial-up connection of 128K or higher. Not sure where you stack up? Test your connection at http://www.speedtest.net.
The StateFoodSafety.com website and San Bernardino Online Food Handler Course are Flash-based. If the website is not functioning for you (e.g. you are unable to see the map on the StateFoodSafety.com homepage) you will need to download the Adobe Flash player. Get it here: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/.
If you are using the Google Chrome browser, an additional Flash download is not required. StateFoodSafety.com recommends using Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, and Internet Explorer browsers. We do not recommend AOL. For the best viewing experience, make sure you are using an updated version of your preferred browser.
Q: What is the benefit of having the course only online?
A: Due to the large geographical area of San Bernardino County, it may have been inconvenient for residents who needed food handler cards to travel to one of our testing facilities. In order to serve our clients more efficiently, an online training and test has now been made available. The training and test is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The online training and test will benefit San Bernardino County residents because of the cost and time that will be saved in not having to drive to a testing facility. Additionally, the training and test can be taken at your own pace and in the comfort of your home.
Q: How long does the training and test take to complete?
A: The training and test take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
Q: I don’t have a computer available to me. How can I take the course?
A: You can take the course on any computer that has internet access. Many employers provide computers, and local libraries also have computers available. If those resources are not an option, computers are available at the following San Bernardino County Workforce Development Resource Centers:
Hesperia
15555 Main St. Suite #G-4
Hesperia, CA 92345
Rancho Cucamonga
9650 Ninth St.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
San Bernardino
658 E. Brier Dr. Suite #100
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Q: I took the course online from another county, program or company and have a card. Will you accept it?
A: No, food handler cards from other counties, programs or companies are not accepted. Food service industry employees working in San Bernardino County are required to obtain their food handler card from San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services only.
Q: What is the cost for taking the course and getting my food handler card?
A: The cost to obtain your food handler card is $22. Only credit, debit and prepaid debit cards are accepted.
Q: How many questions will be on the test? What happens if I fail?
A: There are 40 questions on the test and you may not miss more than 8 questions. You will have 2 opportunities to take the test for each $22 fee.
Q: Can I reprint my food handler card?
A: Yes, you can reprint your food handler card by logging in to the training course with the same username and password that you created when you registered to take the course and print your card.
Q: Do I need to give a copy of the food handler certificate to my employer?
A: Yes, your employer must have a copy of your current valid Certified Food Handler card available at their food facility. The large certificate should be given to the food facility as proof of taking the training and passing the test. The smaller wallet-sized certificate can be kept in the employee’s wallet.
Q: How many times can I take the online course?
A: You can take the online course as many times as necessary until you successfully pass the course. When you sign up and pay the $22 fee, you will be eligible to take the test twice. If you fail both times, you will have to pay the $22 fee again and be given 2 more opportunities to pass the course.
Q: If I sign up online but did not take the course, can I get a refund?
A: You may appeal for a refund from StateFoodSafety.com if you have not yet entered the online course or assessment. Please see below for StateFoodSafety.com refund policy:
Refund appeals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are issued by an accounting or client services representative. Refunds will not be issued to people who have completed their online assessment and received a certificate. Refunds will not be issued due to user error. Each customer must create their own account with a user log in and password. Refunds will not be issued via cash or check. Refunds may only be issued to the customer account used for the initial transaction.
Q: Will the colleges and other third parties be able to offer your course?
A: No. You must take the training and assessment through SB County’s website where a link is provided for the food handler course.
Q: If I lose my food handler card, where can I get a replacement card?
A: You can log on to the San Bernardino county website food handler link to reprint your food handler card using the username and password you created when you registered to take the course.
Q: What type of identification will I need in order to take the course online?
A: You will obtain the information at the time of taking the online course, but at a minimum the identification required is first and last name, address, date of birth, gender, and name of employer. You will also need a valid email address to take the course.
Q: The test is skipping, isn’t loading or other technical difficulties are occurring. What should I do?
A: Please visit www.StateFoodSafety.com/support for all technical difficulties. You have the option to email questions to support@statefoodsafety.com or complete an online webform www.statefoodsafety.com/support-form. These options are available to the public from 6 AM – 6 PM Pacific Standard Time. You may also call the toll free customer support-line that is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week at 1-801-494-1416.
Q: Do you offer the online course in languages other than English?
A: The course is also offered in Spanish, Mandarin, Korean and Vietnamese.
Q: Can I stop the training or test, save my spot, and continue to take the training or test at a later time?
A: Yes, you are able to stop the training or test, save your spot and continue at a later time and restart from where you left off. If you are not able to pass with an 80% or higher on your first attempt, you are automatically issued a second test attempt. If you are unable to pass the second time, you will need to repurchase and re-watch the course.
Q: Why is food handler training so important?
A: Food safety has been an important issue in the restaurant industry for decades. Foodborne illnesses are still a major problem in the United States. The CDC estimates that each year 9.4 million Americans get sick, more than 55,900 are hospitalized, and a shocking 1,351 people die from foodborne illnesses just from known pathogens.
Although significant advancements have been made over the last 20 years to educate food service handlers about safe food handling practices, there has been no change since 1984 in the top 3 causes of foodborne illness attributed to food service handlers, those being: poor personal hygiene, improper holding temperatures, improper cooling procedures.
Since the majority of foodborne illnesses are attributed to food service handlers, and the top contributing factors are related to handlers behavior, the importance of the training food handlers receive is critical. As more people are expected to eat out more in the future, no time has ever been more important than now to have an effective food safety as a top priority. While many restaurants currently employ various efforts to ensure food safety, the fact of the matter is people are still getting sick on a daily basis and we must continue to be vigilant.
Q: If I fail the test, do I have to retake the test that same day?
A: No, you don’t. You have as many days to retake the test as you need. You have the option to retake the test immediately or at a later date.
Q: Am I able to save my Food handler certificate to my computer or flash drive?
A: Yes, you can save your Food handler certificate. We recommend that you do this so you can print your Food handler certificate again if you need too. Please do not make copies of the original certificate because this may reduce the quality of the certificate.
Q: Will you accept a voucher I received from HSS and/or the Workforce Development Department?
A: Environmental Health Services will no longer accept the old vouchers submitted through HSS and the Workforce Development Department. Both departments can obtain prepaid numbers through: www.sbcfoodworker.com. You may use these prepaid numbers to access the training, take the test and obtain your food handler card.
Q: I have a food handler card before the new online training and test was offered on September 1st, 2011 and lost it. Can I get a duplicate card?
A: We no longer issue duplicate cards from our old database system. If you need a replacement card, you must retake the test by visiting the Food Handler Training link.
Q: If I have the manager’s certification, do I still need the food handler card?
A: No, the manager’s training and certification supersedes the food handlers card.
Food Manager Certification Training
Currently, County of San Bernardino, Environmental Health Services does not offer a Food Manager Certification Training and test.
The following information pertains to Cal Code, California Health and Safety Code, Division 104, Part 7. California Retail Food Code, Chapter 1. General Provisions, Section 113947.1 (a).
Food facilities that prepare, handle or serve nonprepackaged potentially hazardous food, except temporary food facilities, shall have an owner or employee who has successfully passed an approved and accredited food safety certification examination as specified in Sections 113947.2 and 113947.3. There shall be at least one food safety certified owner or employee at each food facility. No certified person at a food facility may serve at any other food facility as the person required to be certified pursuant to this subdivision. The certified owner or employee need not be present at the food facility during all hours of operation.
View a list of ANSI-accredited food manager certification programs.
**NEW TOOL** Compliance Manager
In an effort to go 100% paperless, Environmental Health Services (EHS) has teamed up with StateFoodSafety, the administrator of San Bernardino County’s food handler card testing system, to create the Compliance Manager tool. The Compliance Manager is a free online tool that allows you to electronically store and manage your facility’s food handler cards in a secured database. This will allow you to load your employee’s food handler cards in batches, see your employee’s food handler card status in real-time and view their digital card anywhere via smartphone, tablet or PC. The employee has the option of adding their place(s) of employment when they take the exam, which will automatically link to the Compliance Manager database without having to physically provide a copy of their card. The Compliance Manager tool is designed to help you manage your food handler cards automatically and will reduce the time it takes your Health Inspector to verify food handler card compliance during the inspection.
To enroll for free, visit cm.statefoodsafety.com. For additional information, view the Food Handler Card Organization Made Easy hand-out.
Food Safety for Sporting Events Training
Volunteers that handle food and/or food contact surfaces at snack bars are encouraged to take the “Youth Sporting Event Food Safety Training” course. Upon successful completion of this course, participants will receive a certificate of completion and will have the opportunity to obtain and print a variety of food safety posters. NOTE: This module will not provide you with a Food Handler Card. Please refer to the Food Handler Training and Test to obtain an official Food Handler Card.
Access the Youth Sporting Events Food Safety Training course.
Organized Camp Food Safety Training
Volunteers and/or staff that handle food and/or food contact surfaces at organized camps for 2 weeks or less are encouraged to take the “Organized Camp Food Safety Training” course. This course is intended to train the public on how to keep food safe and prevent the spread of foodborne illness while using our Organized Campgrounds. Upon successful completion of this course, participants will receive a certificate of completion and will have the opportunity to obtain and print a variety of food safety posters. NOTE: This module will not provide you with a Food Handler Card. Please refer to the Food Handler Training and Test to obtain an official Food Handler Card.
Access the Organized Camps Food Safety Training course.
Food Safety HELP for Persons in Charge Training
Persons in charge of a Food Facility are encouraged to take the “Food Safety HELP for Persons in Charge” course. This training will teach persons in charge how to utilize Active Managerial Control, or how to proactively incorporate food safety practices, in their establishments to prevent the spread of foodborne illness. Upon successful completion of this course, participants will receive a certificate of completion and will have the opportunity to obtain and print a variety of food safety posters. NOTE: This module will not provide you with a Food Handler Card. Please refer to the Food Handler Training and Test to obtain an official Food Handler Card.
Access the Food Safety HELP for Persons in Charge Training course.