Looking to earn your DC food safety certification? Whether you work in a restaurant, food truck, grocery store, or catering business in Washington, D.C., food safety training is essential to protect public health and meet local health department standards.
Our online course is ANAB-accredited and accepted for food handler certification in D.C. It’s designed for food workers at all levels who need to understand safe food handling, hygiene practices, and how to prevent foodborne illness.
✅ 100% Online – Learn on your schedule
✅ Accepted for DC food safety certification
✅ Works on any device – phone, tablet, or computer
✅ Simple, fast, and beginner-friendly
✅ Get your certificate instantly after completion



















Education is the best tool to prevent, minimize, or eliminate foodborne illnesses and food hazards.
Training helps reduce or eliminate food safety hazards before they become major issues.
Reducing food safety complaints will create a happier workplace and in turn increase productivity.
Yes. Washington, D.C. follows the FDA Food Code, which requires a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) at each licensed food establishment.
A CFPM is someone who has passed a nationally accredited food manager certification exam through the ANAB and the Conference for Food Protection (CFP). This ensures managers have advanced food safety knowledge.
Yes. Anyone selling food at street fairs, farmers’ markets, or festivals in D.C. must follow health department rules, and many require a CFPM or trained food handler to be present.
Completing food handler training through AAA Food Handler not only boosts your job prospects by showing employers that you take food safety seriously, but it also helps protect public health. The CDC estimates that a large percentage of norovirus outbreaks—often mistaken for the “stomach flu”—are linked to food workers handling food while contagious. In fact, Washington, DC has experienced several foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. By applying the safe food handling practices you learn in training, you can make a real difference in preventing foodborne illnesses and keeping your community safe.
You must complete a Food Protection Manager Certification exam from an ANAB-accredited provider. AAA Food Handler offers online courses to help prepare for the exam.
Most Food Handler courses take about 2–3 hours, while the Food Manager course usually takes 6–8 hours before you attempt the certification exam.
The passing score is generally 70% or higher on an ANAB-accredited exam.
Yes. Any school or childcare program that prepares and serves meals must follow food safety rules, and many require trained staff or a Certified Food Protection Manager.
Yes. CFPM certification is valid for five years. Renewal requires retaking and passing the accredited exam. AAA Food Handler provides refresher courses to make the process easier.
Yes. AAA Food Handler provides nationally accredited Food Protection Manager Certification, Food Handler training and allergen awareness programs that comply with D.C. standards.
Yes. AAA Food Handler provides group accounts with dashboards to help employers manage certification dates, renewals, and staff compliance.
Foodborne illness remains a serious concern across the U.S., including in Washington, DC. In fact, between 2003 and 2012, the Center for Science in the Public Interest recorded 19 outbreaks in the District—most commonly caused by preventable viruses like Norovirus and Sapovirus. Because food service managers are responsible for training staff and enforcing food safety practices, they play a critical role in prevention. Earning an ANAB-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification through AAA Food Handler ensures managers have the knowledge and skills to maintain the highest safety standards. These certifications are backed by the FDA and CDC, reinforcing their value in protecting public health.
Food Handler Reviews
4.9
Informative
Engaging and easy to understand
Informative
Informative
good
great experience , i have learned a lot!
Overall good experience, just time consuming
It was fast and convenient
ok
Excelente capacitación
When paying attention to training, the answers are given…
El examen de food handler fue bastante fácil de entender. Las preguntas eran claras y se basaban en cosas importantes para mantener los alimentos limpios y seguros, En general, fue una buena experiencia. Aprendí cosas útiles que puedo usar en el trabajo o en casa, y ahora me siento más seguro manejando comida.