Arlington County, VA Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)

A makes it unlawful to operate a Food Establishment unless it is under the immediate control of a Certified Food Manager, though a Limited Food Establishment satisfies the rule under a Certified Limited Food Manager instead. Subsection B makes that Certified Food Manager or Certified Limited Food Manager responsible for training food service personnel in sanitary food-handling techniques and for ensuring good public health and food protection practices are used at all times on the premises under their control. 2-4 as operations running no more than fourteen consecutive days for a single event, from needing a certified manager on site.

2-13, an applicant obtains a Certificate by applying in writing to the County Manager, who may also designate a private vendor to issue certificates on the County's behalf. A food manager Certificate issues only to someone who has passed an exam from a food protection manager certification program evaluated and listed by an accrediting agency recognized by the Conference for Food Protection; it is valid five years from the date the applicant is notified of passing, is issued in the individual's name only, and cannot be assigned or transferred.

Renewal requires passing another certification exam from a recognized program before the five years run out. A limited food manager Certificate, for Limited Food Establishments, instead requires passing an exam approved directly by the County Manager, and carries the same five-year, non-transferable terms.