---
title: "Virginia Food Safety: What Training or Certification Do I Need?"
description: Learn about the food safety training and certification requirements in Virginia.
image: https://trust20.co/hubfs/virginia-state-req-blog-trust20.jpg
---

### Cart

Added to Cart!

### Your cart is empty

Browse our training courses to get started.

Purchasing for a team? [View Trust20 for Teams](https://trust20.co/teams). 

[Browse Trainings](https://trust20.co/alabama)

#### Ohio Person-In-Charge Certification (Level One)

State you work in: OH

Language: English

$30.00

 Remove

#### Ohio Manager Certification (Level Two)

State you work in: OH

Language: English

$140.00

 Remove

#### Ohio Alcohol Server Training

State you work in: OH

Language: English

$22.00

 Remove

#### Ohio Food Handler Certificate Training

State you work in: OH

Language: English

$15.00

 Remove

#### Ohio Food Allergy Certificate Training

State you work in: OH

Language: English

$25.00

 Remove

#### Food Allergy Certificate Training

State you work in:

Language: English

$25.00

 Remove

#### Food Handler Certificate Training

State you work in:

Language: English

$15.00

 Remove

#### Food Protection Manager Training

State you work in:

Language: English

$90.00

 Remove

#### Food Protection Manager Certification

State you work in:

Language: English

$90.00

 Remove

#### Ohio Manager Certification (Training Only)

State you work in: OH

Language: English

$54.00

 Remove

#### Food Handler Certificate Training

State you work in:

Language: English

$15.00

 Remove

#### Food Handler Certificate Training

State you work in:

Language: English

$15.00

 Remove

#### Food Handler Certificate Training

State you work in:

Language: English

$15.00

 Remove

#### Food Allergy Certificate Training

State you work in:

Language: English

$25.00

 Remove

#### Food Protection Manager Training

State you work in:

Language: English

$90.00

 Remove

#### New Jersey Alcohol Server Training

State you work in: NJ

Language: English

$22.00

 Remove

#### Connecticut Alcohol Server Training

State you work in: CT

Language: English

$22.00

 Remove

#### Florida Alcohol Server Training

State you work in: FL

Language: English

$22.00

 Remove

#### West Virginia Alcohol Server Training

State you work in: WV

Language: English

$22.00

 Remove

#### Ohio Person-In-Charge Certification (Spanish)

State you work in: OH

Language: English

$30.00

 Remove

#### Ohio Manager Certification (Spanish)

State you work in: OH

Language: English

$140.00

 Remove

#### Trust20 Food Protection Manager Certification (Spanish)

State you work in:

Language: English

$90.00

 Remove

#### You may also like...

Total --

Purchasing for a team? [View Trust20 for Teams](https://trust20.co/teams).

 Checkout

Contact Support

How can we help? Select from the topics below to get help.

Still need help?

Chat with Basil 

[Submit a Support Request ](https://trust20.co/contact-us)

Trust20 Support Business Hours

Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM EST

Go Back

[State Requirements](https://trust20.co/blog/tag/state-requirements)

# Virginia Food Safety: What Training or Certification Do I Need?

Posted by

 Jul 24, 2024 9:30:00 AM

[Trust20 Contributors](https://trust20.co/blog/author/trust20-contributors)  • 3 minute read

Share: [![Share on facebook](https://7620253.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7620253/Trust20/Images/Blog/facebook-color.svg) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://trust20.co/blog/virginia-food-safety-training-certification&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [![Share on twitter](https://trust20.co/hubfs/twitter-color.svg) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://trust20.co/blog/virginia-food-safety-training-certification&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://trust20.co/blog/virginia-food-safety-training-certification&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://7620253.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7620253/Trust20/Images/Blog/linkedin-color.svg) ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://trust20.co/blog/virginia-food-safety-training-certification&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin)

[![Virginia Food Safety Training and Certification Blog](https://trust20.co/hubfs/virginia-state-req-blog-trust20.jpg) ](https://trust20.co/blog/virginia-food-safety-training-certification)

From the sprawling Atlantic coastline to the ridges and slopes of the Appalachian Mountains, Virginia’s food is as diverse as its landscape. Whether it's seafood overlooking Chesapeake Bay or its official food–cured ham (served with eggs, biscuits, and gravy, of course)–the state relies on food safety regulations to keep Virginians safe from foodborne illnesses. 

Like other states, Virginia adopts elements of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Food Code, applying certain recommendations to its own regulations. That’s what we’ll cover in this blog, including:

[Which version of the FDA Food Code does Virginia use?](https://trust20.co/blog/virginia-food-safety-training-certification#food-code)

[Does Virginia require food handler training?](https://trust20.co/blog/virginia-food-safety-training-certification#food-handler)

[Does Virginia require allergen awareness training?](https://trust20.co/blog/virginia-food-safety-training-certification#allergy)

[Does Virginia require food manager certification?](https://trust20.co/blog/virginia-food-safety-training-certification#certification)

## Which version of the FDA Food Code does Virginia use?

The [FDA Food Code](https://trust20.co/blog/food-safety-regulations-history) provides food safety recommendations for the entire country. States, territories, counties, and cities can then pick and choose which guidelines they choose to adopt.

The FDA updates the code every two years, so it evolves alongside our understanding of food safety science. The most current edition was released in 2022. However, [Virginia](https://trust20.co/Virginia) uses the 2017 edition as a guide for the Virginia Food Regulations.1, 2 

The 2017 FDA Food Code mentions food handlers but does not mandate food handler training. It talks about food allergen awareness (persons in charge must be aware of risks and prepared to discuss them in inspections). Lastly, the 2017 FDA Food Code recommends that persons in charge train to become certified food protection managers.

Let’s now turn to Virginia and see how it chooses to adopt these recommendations.

## Does Virginia require food handler training?

No, [food handler training](https://trust20.co/virginia-food-handler) and food handler cards are not required in Virginia. However, your employer may have other requirements.

## Does Virginia require allergen awareness training?

No, formal [food allergen awareness training](https://trust20.co/virginia-food-allergy) is not required in Virginia. However, the state does mandate that staff training in food establishments must include food allergy awareness.3 

Persons in charge who have earned their food protection manager certification have demonstrated knowledge of allergens in the certification process. They are responsible for training their team. 

## Does Virginia require food manager certification?

Yes, establishments are required to have a certified food manager present during all hours of operation. 

Virginia requires at least one person with supervisory and management responsibility and the authority to direct and control food preparation and service to be a [certified food protection manager](https://trust20.co/virginia-manager-certification), demonstrating proficiency in required knowledge and information through passing a test that is part of an accredited program.4

Virginia is a close neighbor to Maryland and Washington D.C., so if you’re in the foodservice industry and live in the area, it makes sense to review those states’ requirements as well.

## The takeaway

In Virginia, food protection managers are critical in training food handlers and upholding food safety best practices. A solid grasp of food safety and how it impacts your kitchen and your customers is essential to any successful business. If you need to renew your credentials or need support in training your staff, turn to Trust20’s [accredited products](https://trust20.co/products) today! 

---

Sources:

1. FDA: [2017 Food Code](https://www.fda.gov/media/110822/download)
2. The Commonwealth of Virginia: [Virginia Food Regulations](https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/food-safety-in-virginia/food-regulations/)
3. The Commonwealth of Virginia: [Food Allergen Awareness](https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/food-safety-in-virginia/food-allergens/)
4. Virginia Administrative Code: [12VAC5-421-55](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title12/agency5/chapter421/section55/)

Recommended Articles

[![How is Shigella Transmitted in Foodservice Settings?](https://trust20.co/hubfs/210.png)

 Food Safety

June 17, 2026

How is Shigella Transmitted in Foodservice Settings?

A Shigella outbreak generally doesn’t happen loudly, with a catastrophic contamination incident that can easily be traced. Instead, it starts covertly, without anyone realizing it.

Continue Reading 

](https://trust20.co/blog/shigella) [![Where Can I Find Practice Tests for Food Handler Assessments?](https://trust20.co/hubfs/209.png)

 Career Development

June 12, 2026

Where Can I Find Practice Tests for Food Handler Assessments?

Getting ready for your food safety training and assessment might feel a little nerve-wracking. You want to walk into the test feeling completely confident and ready to pass on your very first try, but you aren’t sure how to get the right level of preparation.

Continue Reading 

](https://trust20.co/blog/practice-tests-food-handler) [![What is GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)?](https://trust20.co/hubfs/206.png)

 Food Safety

June 10, 2026

What is GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)?

Walk through any grocery store, and you’ll likely see all kinds of labels promising cleaner ingredients, fewer additives, and simpler foods. But behind many packaged products sits a regulatory category most consumers have never heard about: GRAS, short for “Generally Recognized as Safe.”

Continue Reading 

](https://trust20.co/blog/what-is-gras-generally-recognized-as-safe) [![How Many Hours Can Food Be Held Without Temperature Control?](https://trust20.co/hubfs/207.png)

 Food Safety

June 1, 2026

How Many Hours Can Food Be Held Without Temperature Control?

In a perfect world, every hot food stays hot, and every cold food stays cold, for exactly as long as you need it to. But in reality, service gets busy, equipment gets overloaded, and food doesn’t always stay within the ideal temperature ranges.

Continue Reading 

](https://trust20.co/blog/how-many-hours-can-food-be-held-without-temperature-control)

 Open Sidebar

Contact Support

How can we help? We know this process can get complicated! Below are some options to get you started.

Still need help?

Chat with Basil 

[Submit a Support Request ](https://trust20.co/contact-us)

Trust20 Support Business Hours

Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM EST

Go Back

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Trust20 Contributors",
    "url" : "https://trust20.co/blog/author/trust20-contributors"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-09-10T20:50:42.278Z",
  "datePublished" : "2024-07-24T14:30:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Virginia Food Safety: What Training or Certification Do I Need?",
  "image" : [ "https://trust20.co/hubfs/virginia-state-req-blog-trust20.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://trust20.co/blog/virginia-food-safety-training-certification",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://trust20.co/hubfs/Logos/trust20-logo-square.png"
    },
    "name" : "Trust20 / Relish Works LLC "
  }
}
```