Food safety · Restaurants
Food Handler Card (US)
The entry-level food safety test restaurant workers take for a food handler card: handwashing, illness reporting, holding and cooling temperatures, cross-contamination, the nine major allergens and cleaning, based on the FDA Food Code 2022.
Questions last checked against the official sources on October 10, 2026.
The real exam at a glance
- Questions
- At least 40 in California; set by the provider elsewhere
- Pass mark
- At least 70% in California
- Valid for
- 3 years (California), 2 years (Texas)
- Deadline
- Within 30 days of hire (California, Texas)
- Based on
- The FDA Food Code 2022
What you'll practise
Try a question
Wiping cloths used for drying food spills on plates during service must be kept how?
- Wet with sanitizer and used for counters too
- Stored with mop heads
- Soaked in dish water
- Dry and used for no other purpose
Show the answer
D. Dry and used for no other purpose — Cloths for wiping food spills from tableware during service are kept dry and used for nothing else.
Sample questions by topic (in English)
- Handwashing
- Illness and reporting
- Time and temperature
- Cooling and reheating
- Cross-contamination
- Allergens
- Cleaning and sanitizing
- Pests and chemicals
- Food handler card rules
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Questions about the Food Handler Card
Is this the official Food Handler Card?
No. Semplr is independent and not affiliated with the exam body. We write every question ourselves, in the official format and at the official level.
What is the real Food Handler Card like?
Questions: At least 40 in California; set by the provider elsewhere. Pass mark: At least 70% in California. Valid for: 3 years (California), 2 years (Texas). Deadline: Within 30 days of hire (California, Texas). Based on: The FDA Food Code 2022.
How is my practice marked?
Instantly. You see your score against the pass mark, and an explanation for every question — including the ones you got right.
Can I take it on my phone?
Yes. The whole mock exam works on a phone, and your progress is saved in your browser.
Ready for a full run?
One sitting, real timing, then your score against the pass mark.
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