There are two types of food managers certifications; STANDARD and LIMITED. Which one you get will depend on what kind of work you do.
Standard Food Managers certifications are required for most facilities which prepare and serve food (including most restaurants, bars, cafeterias, food trucks, bakeries, and food stands). Your must pass a recognized Food Protection Manager Certification Exam to get the Standard Food Manager Certification. All restaurants and foodservice establishments which are not classified as “Limited” by their local Health Department are required to have at least one person on premise at all times who holds a Standard Food Protection Manager’s Certification, and can produce either the original certificate or a NVCFM Photo ID card.

Limited Food Manager’s Cards are required for facilities defined as “those which typically serve hotdogs, prepackaged foods, or other types of food that are not potentially hazardous.” You must pass a Limited Food Protection Manager Certification Exam at the ORS Interactive office to get a Limited Food Manager Certification.
It is the responsibility of each person applying for a Standard Northern Virginia Certified Food Manager (NVCFM) Card or a Limited Northern Virginia Certified Food Manager (NVCFM) Card to know the correct classification of their establishment. Those who are uncertain of their establishment’s classification should contact their local Health Department before making application for a Northern Virginia Certified Food Manager (NVCFM) Card.