Certified Food Manager Guidelines
Food establishments operating in Fairfax County (including the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church) must be under the immediate supervision of a Certified Food Manager (CFM). However, an establishment defined as a "Limited Food Establishment" may operate under the control of a Limited Certified Food Manager (LCFM). A Limited Food Establishment is one that serves only hotdogs or frankfurter-type foods, pre-packaged foods, or foods that are not potentially hazardous.
Northern Virginia Certified Food Manager Cards (both CFM and LCFM cards) are issued by ORS Interactive, Inc. at the address listed below. Note: The Fairfax County Health Department DOES NOT issue these cards.
ORS Interactive, Inc.
Located in the Doctors Building at
6316 Castle Place, Suite 201
Falls Church, VA 22044
Ph: 703-533-7600 Fax: 703-533-7630
E-Mail:
Info@orsinteractive.com Web:
www.orsinteractive.com
To obtain a Northern Virginia CFM or LCFM card you must go to ORS Interactive, Inc. You will need to show proof of passing one of the "Recognized Exams" listed below. If you have not yet taken an exam, you can do so at the ORS Interactive, Inc. office and receive your card the same day. Call ORS Interactive, Inc. for information about any applicable fees and taking an exam. A Northern Virginia Food Manager Card is valid in Fairfax County, Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria. CFM and LCFM cards must be renewed every five years based on the successful completion of another exam at the time of renewal.
ORS Interactive offers exams in the following languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, French and Arabic. The Health Department also has a limited lending library of written materials and videos available for use by the general public.
The following food manager examinations are approved by the Health Departments in Fairfax County, Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria:
- Dietary Managers Association: 1-800-323-1908 or www.dmaonline.org
- National Registry of Food Safety Professionals: 1-800-446-0257 or www.nrfsp.com
- Prometric: 1-800-624-2736 or www.prometric.com
- ServSafe: 1-800-765-2122 or www.servsafe.com
Training information for the recognized exams is also available at the organizations listed above.
This information is provided as a courtesy. Fairfax County does not endorse or recommend any company or service provider and does not guarantee the accuracy of the information.
The information on this page is also available in PDF format.


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