District of Columbia Food Handlers Card: What's Actually Required (2026)
Quick answer
- Required?
- No — there is no government mandate in District of Columbia
- Employers
- May still require food safety training as a job condition
- Voluntary
- An ANAB-accredited course typically costs $10–$15 online
Requirements verified July 17, 2026 against DC Health
No — Washington, DC does not require food handler cards for line-level food employees. DC's mandate is for supervisors: the person in charge must hold a DC Health-issued Certified Food Protection Manager ID card ($35 application on top of the national exam), and a CFPM must be present during operating hours.
Washington, DC does not require food handler cards for line-level food employees. DC Health, which enforces the DC Food Code (25-A DCMR), issues no license or card for cooks, servers, or other non-supervisory workers — any training you take is either your employer's requirement or your own choice. A voluntary ANAB-accredited course ($7–$15, about two hours online) covers most employer requests.
DC's mandate lands on the person in charge. Under 25-A DCMR 203, each food establishment's PIC must be a Certified Food Protection Manager holding a DC Health-issued CFPM ID card — a two-step process: pass a national ANAB-CFP accredited exam (ServSafe and several other approved programs qualify), then file a $35 application with DC Health. The card is valid 3 years from the exam date, and a CFPM must be present during all operating hours. That paperwork is the manager's problem, not yours.
Who needs a food handler card in District of Columbia?
No line-level food employee in the District needs a food handler card or certificate — there is no such DC license for non-supervisory workers. Employers may require training on their own. The person in charge at each food establishment is different: under the DC Food Code, that person must be a Certified Food Protection Manager holding a DC Health-issued CFPM ID card, and a CFPM must be present whenever the establishment is operating.
Why get certified anyway?
Even without a legal mandate in District of Columbia, many employers require food safety training as a hiring condition, and a completed ANAB-accredited food handler course is a real advantage when applying for restaurant jobs. Online courses typically cost $10–$15 and take under two hours.
Recognized training options
Do District of Columbia establishments also need a certified food manager?
Yes, with a DC-specific twist. Under the DC Food Code (25-A DCMR 203), the person in charge must hold a CFPM ID card issued by DC Health — which means passing a national ANAB-CFP accredited exam and then filing a $35 card application with DC Health. The card is valid 3 years from the exam date, and a CFPM must be present during operating hours.
If you're aiming for a supervisor role, see our guide to food manager certification — it's a different credential with a proctored exam and higher pay potential.
Not sure what applies to you? Use the requirements checker or read how to get a food handlers card for the general process.
District of Columbia food handler card FAQ
Do I need a food handlers card in DC?
No. The District has no food handler license or card for non-supervisory food employees. Employers may still require food safety training as company policy, and a voluntary ANAB-accredited course costs about $7–$15.
What is the DC CFPM ID card?
It is DC's manager credential. Under 25-A DCMR 203, the person in charge must pass a national ANAB-CFP accredited food protection manager exam and then apply to DC Health for a CFPM ID card, which costs $35 and is valid 3 years from the exam date. A CFPM must be on site during operating hours.
Does DC accept ServSafe?
For the manager credential, yes — DC Health accepts national certificates from approved organizations including ServSafe (National Restaurant Association), NRFSP, AAA Food Handler, and FoodSafePal. The national certificate alone is not enough, though: the manager must also obtain the $35 DC Health CFPM ID card.
Who regulates food safety in Washington, DC?
DC Health administers the DC Food Code (Title 25-A of the DC Municipal Regulations) and issues CFPM ID cards. It inspects food establishments across the District. It does not issue any credential for line-level food workers.
Official sources
Every requirement on this page traces to one of these official sources.
- Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) Certificate — DC Health
- DC Health Food Manager's Certificate Details — DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection