Newport News, VA Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)

It shall be unlawful for any person, whether owner, employee, operator, assistant or helper, to work or serve in any cafe, restaurant, dining room, lunch counter, boardinghouse, cafeteria, confectionery, soda fountain, delicatessen or any other place where a food permit is required to be issued under this chapter, or food is prepared and sold for human consumption, unless such person shall have first obtained a food handler's card issued by the health officer or such officer's authorized representative.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to employ or permit another person to remain employed in any place or establishment referred to in subsection (a) above unless such other person holds a valid food handler's card issued pursuant to this article.(c)The food handler's card requirement may be waived by the health director for nonmanagerial employees of food establishments which maintain a high level of sanitation as determined by the health officer.(d)Each food establishment must provide a minimum of one (1) manager who is certified by passing such written or oral tests as deemed necessary by the health officer. (Ord. No. 2245; Code 1961, §§ 21-30, 21-37; Ord. No. 3706-88)