Chula Vista, CA Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)

040 provides that no person may act as a food handler unless they "possess a valid food handler training certificate," or work under a food service manager who holds a manager's training certificate and the food handler holds a food handler card: with a narrow exception letting a new hire work under a certified manager for up to 10 calendar days without a card. Food handler training certificates are issued after completing "a food sanitation training course having a duration of at least three hours," taught by a health-officer-approved instructor, and passing a proficiency test with at least a 70 percent grade covering microorganisms, foodborne disease sources, contamination pathways, personal hygiene, and dishwashing procedures.

The certificate is valid for three years from issuance. Food service managers need a longer, 16-hour approved course plus an 85 percent test score, or may qualify through combinations of a degree and food-service work experience; a manager's certificate does not expire. A food handler card, issued by a certified manager to employees under their supervision after a 70 percent proficiency test, is valid for three years or until the food handler stops working at that establishment, or until 60 days after the establishment loses its certified manager, whichever comes first.

090 requires the establishment to keep records of all food handlers and managers, including copies of their certificates and cards, available to the health officer on request. 110.