Virginia has no food handler card for restaurant workers. What the state requires is a manager: under 12VAC5-421-55, at least one employee with supervisory authority over food preparation and service must be a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM); VDH set July 1, 2018 as the compliance date in its CFPM FAQ. Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax and Falls Church word the rule differently: the establishment must be under the immediate supervision of a manager who passed an accredited exam.
Servers and cooks need only the training their employer or local health department asks for. Owners need a CFPM on staff before applying, because VDH asks for the certificate with the permit application. Card laws in other states are compared in food handler card requirements by state.
| Virginia Department of Health | Fairfax County Health Department | |
|---|---|---|
| Worker card | No state card | Fairfax lists no worker card; inspectors check that all staff are trained in food safety |
| Manager rule | At least 1 employee with supervisory authority is a CFPM | Establishment under the immediate supervision of a manager who passed an accredited exam, certificate on hand |
| Manager on site at all times | Not required, if the CFPM can show how they direct the operation (VDH FAQ) | Fairfax page says “immediate supervision”; ask the county how it applies to your hours |
| Low-risk places | Exempt if serving only non-TCS food, or only reheating or cold holding commercially cooked TCS food; cooling TCS food ends the exemption | Limited Food Manager certificate instead of a CFPM |
| Old regional card | — | Northern Virginia Food Manager card dropped January 26, 2021 |
Who is exempt from Virginia’s CFPM rule
VDH’s CFPM FAQ (revised November 2023) names two sources of exemptions. Section 35.1-25B of the Code of Virginia exempts food establishments run by a nonprofit civic service organization, a volunteer fire department or a volunteer medical services agency. The regulation itself exempts establishments, including temporary events and mobile units, that serve only non-time/temperature control for safety (non-TCS) food, or that only reheat or cold hold commercially processed, fully cooked TCS food.
Groups that operate without a VDH permit under Section 35.1-25A fall outside the CFPM rule as well. Daycares, schools, colleges, local correctional facilities, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and hospitals that hold a food permit follow the regular rule.
What VDH does when a restaurant has no CFPM
An inspector who finds no documented CFPM cites 12VAC5-421-55 on the Food Establishment Inspection Report. It is a core item, and under 12VAC5-421-3950 the permit holder must fix it by a date the health department sets, no later than 90 calendar days after the inspection. VDH staff can ask for proof of a current CFPM at any time, not only during routine inspections.
Temporary and mobile units need a CFPM to operate lawfully unless they meet an exemption. One owner with several units can use a single CFPM if that person is employed by the owner, supervises the units and can direct food preparation at each. New applicants should send a copy of the CFPM certificate with the permit application; a missing certificate can delay processing.
How to become a CFPM in Virginia
- Choose an exam from a program accredited under the Conference for Food Protection standard; VDH points to the ANAB directory. Fairfax County’s page lists ServSafe, NRFSP, 360training, StateFoodSafety, Always Food Safe, 1 AAA Food Manager and EduClasses as accredited as of April 2024.
- Take a course if you want one. VDH’s FAQ cites exam-only prices around $55 and exam-plus-study bundles under $125; the vendor sets the price and languages.
- Pass the exam online or at a testing site. Most certificates expire five years after issue; the vendor sets the date.
- Keep the certificate available for the inspector. Virginia’s regulations leave posting it on the wall optional.
Fairfax County and other Northern Virginia health departments
Fairfax County’s Division of Environmental Health covers Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. Its inspectors validate the manager’s exam certificate and ask that manager food safety questions based on it. Establishments with only non-TCS food, or no food preparation, need the county’s Limited Food Manager certificate; call 703-246-2201 or email hdehd@fairfaxcounty.gov for the steps. The office is at 10777 Main Street, Suite 100, open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Northern Virginia Food Manager card, a separate regional card on top of the exam certificate, ended in Fairfax on January 26, 2021. Alexandria’s health department also stopped requiring it (Alexandria FAQ). VDH’s FAQ advises asking your local health department about any local ordinance on managers.
Checklist for Virginia food workers and owners
- Your CFPM’s name, exam provider and certificate expiration date
- Whether your menu keeps you exempt (non-TCS only, or reheat and cold hold only, with no cooling)
- In Fairfax, the City of Fairfax or Falls Church: whether you need a CFPM or the Limited Food Manager certificate
- For temporary or mobile units: which CFPM covers each unit
- For a new permit: a copy of the CFPM certificate with the application
- What your employer asks of new hires for food safety training
To see how a Virginia restaurant did on inspection, use the Fairfax County restaurant inspection search or the Virginia Beach restaurant inspection search. Manager rules in other states are compared in food manager certification by state.
VDH, Virginia Administrative Code and Fairfax County pages checked October 25, 2026.