El Cajon, CA Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)

206 into El Cajon's own code. 205 bars anyone from acting as a food handler unless they hold a Food Handler Training Certificate, or work under a food service manager who holds a Food Service Manager Training Certificate and the employee separately holds a Food Handler Card, though a new hire may work under such a manager for up to ten calendar days without the card. The Food Handler Training Certificate requires completing a Health-Officer-approved course of at least three hours, covering topics like microorganisms, foodborne disease transmission, personal hygiene, and dishwashing procedures, and passing a proficiency test with at least a 70% grade; the certificate is valid three years.

The Food Service Manager Training Certificate requires at least 16 hours of approved instruction and the same 70% passing score, covering warewashing, food purchasing and storage, and legal regulations of the food industry, and it does not expire by passage of time; applicants with a relevant degree or years of occupational experience can qualify by scoring at least 85% instead of completing the course. A Food Handler Card issued by a certified manager is valid three years, or until the employee stops food handling there, or 60 days after the establishment no longer has a certified manager on staff.

206 separately makes it unlawful for a business owner or operator to permit anyone to act as a food handler who is not legally certified.