(california) how does the food handler card work? can i apply for minimum wage fast-food jobs, or should i look into getting that first?

student looking for a summer job. one job has a food handler card as a requirement, and i found mixed information on that online. apparently you can either take a class on your own time, or some employers like starbucks administer the test for you either for free or at a small cost.

should i keep applying to jobs? i previously got rejected from a fast-food job and i'm thinking it might've been because i didn't have my food handler card. it could also be because at the time i applied i was still in school and could work limited hours.

thanks in advance for any guidance!