Kings County, CA Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)

It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the handling, serving, preparation or storage of food or drink in any bakery, butcher shop, restaurant, hotel, fountain, tavern or other eating or drinking place in the county, or in the sanitizing of utensils in any of the foregoing establishments for a period of time longer than 15 working days, or for any food establishment operator to employ or permit any person to engage in such activities therein for longer than said period of time unless such person holds a food handler's card issued by the county health officer. All food handlers' cards shall expire one year from the date of issuance. The fee to be charged for the issuance of each card may be established by resolution or order of the board of supervisors. The health officer may, as a prerequisite to the issuance of a food handler's card, impose any requirement, including physical or other tests and examinations, which may be necessary for the protection of the public health. The health officer shall not give any treatment required for any condition revealed by such examination or such tests, and the county health department shall not be responsible in any manner for the cost of such treatments or tests.

(Ord. No. 283, § 3, 4-4-67; Ord. No. 401, § 1, 5-20-80)