The FHC® certificate is valid for 3 years unless an employer or jurisdiction requests renewal sooner.

Absolutely. If you're attending a culinary or hospitality program in Virginia Beach, Northern Virginia, or any major city, FHC® is often accepted as pre-placement or pre-lab food safety training. It’s a great resume booster, too.

Yes. FHC® is ANAB-accredited, meaning it meets the food safety standards recognized by many Virginia local health departments and food industry employers. It’s a reliable credential for cooks, servers, and food handlers throughout the state.

Not statewide—but don’t ignore it.

Virginia does not mandate food handler certification at the state level, but local health departments, food service businesses, and school districts often require it. And in high-traffic areas like Northern Virginia, Virginia Beach, and Richmond, food safety training is practically a standard hiring requirement.

So, while it's not a blanket law, you’ll likely need a certificate to get hired or stay employed in most food service jobs.

Yes. Many public and private schools across Virginia require food handler certification for cafeteria and kitchen staff. FHC® meets those training needs with an easy online solution.

 Expect to need training if you're working in or near:

• Virginia Beach

• Norfolk

• Richmond

• Arlington & Alexandria

• Newport News

• Roanoke

• Chesapeake

• Charlottesville

• Harrisonburg

• Lynchburg

In urban and tourism-heavy areas, employers often won’t hire without proof of training—even if it's not legally mandated.

•  100% online—take it anytime, anywhere
• Mobile-friendly—works on phones, tablets, laptops
• Short and simple—most students finish in under 90 minutes
• Certificate instantly available after passing
• Only $7—budget-friendly, no hidden fees
• Available in English and Spanish

If you work in any of the following environments, food handler certification is often expected:

• Restaurants, bars, food trucks, and grills

• Resorts, hotels, and lodges (especially in tourist towns)

• Casinos and racing tracks

• Convenience stores and grocery stores with food service areas

• Event venues, movie theaters, and amusement parks

• Catering companies and banquet halls

• Public schools, private academies, and universities

• Culinary schools and food service internships

Whether you’re preparing food, serving it, or sanitizing food-contact surfaces, training is key.