Florida Statute §509.039 requires every public food-service establishment in Jacksonville to have at least one certified Food Protection Manager on staff. Certification is via a DBPR-approved exam. Florida does not mandate individual food-handler cards for line cooks; managers train staff on basic food safety.
Section 509.039 requires each licensed public food-service establishment to designate a certified manager who has passed a state-recognized exam (ServSafe, National Registry, Prometric, 360training). Certification is valid for five years, must be renewed by retesting, and the original certificate must be available on premises during DBPR inspections. Florida does not require individual food-handler cards for line workers, unlike some states; the certified manager is responsible for training employees on hand-washing, time/temperature control, allergens, and reporting illness. Duval County and Jacksonville add no city-level food handler card on top of state law. Mobile units, caterers, and pop-ups face the same manager requirement.
Operating without a certified manager on staff is a high-priority violation triggering fines up to $1,000 per day, license suspension, and mandatory follow-up inspection; repeat offenders face license revocation and additional inspection fees.
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See how Jacksonville's food handler certification rules stack up against other locations.
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