United States
Hong KongVirginia: a Certified Food Protection Manager as person in charge
Virginia requires food establishments to have a Certified Food Protection Manager holding an ANAB-accredited certificate, valid five years. The Department of Health administers it through district health departments.
- Requirement
- A Certified Food Protection Manager
- Accreditation
- ANAB-accredited certificate
- Validity
- Five years
- Authority
- Virginia Department of Health, through district health departments
- Course required first
- No state-wide prerequisite
The rule
Virginia adopted the Food Code framework into its own food regulations, including the Certified Food Protection Manager requirement.
Any ANAB-accredited exam works. No state exam, no approval list.
Northern Virginia
Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun and Prince William between them cover a large share of the state's food service, and each district health department publishes its own guidance and permit process.
The certificate requirement is the same; the permit process is not.
Your CFPM certificate is personal and lasts five years. The establishment permit belongs to the business, is usually annual, and requires inspection. Both are needed and neither produces the other.
Getting certified
- Choose any ANAB-accredited provider unless your state names an approval list.
- Prepare for eight to fifteen hours, weighted to contamination and employee health.
- Sit the 80-question proctored exam, at a test center or under remote proctoring.
- File the certificate with your employer for the health department record.
- Schedule the five-year expiry the day you receive it.
State rules change, and counties and cities routinely impose requirements the state does not. Treat this page as a starting point and confirm with your state or local health department before booking anything.
Common questions
Does Virginia require a Certified Food Protection Manager?
Yes. Food establishments must have one, holding an ANAB-accredited certificate valid for five years, under Virginia's adoption of the Food Code framework.
Is there a Virginia-specific exam?
No. Any ANAB-accredited food protection manager exam satisfies the requirement, and there is no state-wide course prerequisite or approval list.
Who administers it?
The Virginia Department of Health, through district health departments. Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun and Prince William each publish their own guidance and permit process.
Does the certificate replace the establishment permit?
No. The certificate is personal and lasts five years; the permit belongs to the business, is usually annual and requires inspection. Both are needed.
How long is Virginia certification valid?
Five years from the exam date, renewed by sitting the full exam again with any accredited provider.