Corona, CA Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)
Key Facts
- Grace period
- 14 days from start of employment
- Application fee
- $5, nonrefundable
- Certificate validity
- 2 years
- First violation fine
- Up to $50
- Duplicate certificate fee
- $1
- Appeal path
- Chapter 1.09 of the Municipal Code
Summary
Corona requires anyone who handles food, drink or the dishes used to serve them for pay to hold a Food Worker's Certificate within 14 days of starting the job. Corona Code of Ordinances Section 8.18.030 also makes it unlawful for an employer to keep that person on staff past the 14-day window without one.
No person shall engage or serve in any work, occupation or employment which requires or occasions the handling of any food, liquor or material intended for food or drink for human consumption or the handling of any dishes or other articles used in the preparation or service of food or drink for human consumption, who does not hold or produce a Food Worker's Certificate as required by this chapter within 14 days after engaging or serving in such work, occupation or employment, and no owner, manager or agent of such owner or person in charge of any establishment or business shall retain in the employ thereof for the performance of such services, any person who does not hold and produce a Food Worker's Certificate as required by this chapter within 14 days after such person engages or serves in such employment.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-56: Supplement contains: Local legislation passed through Ord. 3423, passed 12-3-2025).
Full Breakdown
010 states the chapter's purpose: making sure every food worker in Corona has demonstrated, through examination, an adequate knowledge of sanitary principles and practices in the food industry. 020 defines the certificate as a statement from the health officer certifying that a person has shown competency in food sanitation, based on the Food Worker's Manual the health officer prepares and distributes. 040 exempts domestic or household workers and people volunteering for temporary religious, charitable, fraternal, veterans', youth, PTA or civic organization food functions, along with students under 16 in school food operations.
050 requires an application to the health officer with a nonrefundable $5 fee, waived for students 16 or older working in school food operations. 060 conditions issuance on passing a health officer examination covering sanitary preparation, service, storage, distribution and sale of food and beverages, and sanitation of equipment and facilities, based on the Food Worker's Manual. 080 allows a $1 duplicate for good cause. 090 lets the health officer revoke a certificate for repeated or continuing sanitation violations or for falsifying the application. 110 requires every employer to keep certificates on continuous display at the workplace alongside a current employee list.
Violations & Fines
Section 8.18.120(A) makes any violation of the food worker certification chapter an infraction, punishable by a fine not exceeding $50 for a first violation. Section 8.18.100 lets anyone denied a certificate, or whose certificate is revoked by the health officer, appeal that decision under Chapter 1.09 of the Corona Municipal Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon does a new food worker need a certificate in Corona?
How much does a Corona Food Worker's Certificate cost?
What happens if I violate Corona's food worker certification rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Corona
California rules heatmap·Compare Corona to another location·View the California public health rules overview
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