City of Los Angeles Food Manager Certification: Is It Different from LA County?

If you’re working in food service in Los Angeles, you’re probably wondering:
“Is the City of Los Angeles Food Manager Certification different from Los Angeles County’s?”

The short answer: No—but there’s more you should know.
Whether you’re opening a restaurant in Downtown LA, managing a café in Silver Lake, or running a food truck in Koreatown, understanding how food safety regulations work across city and county lines is essential. In this blog, we’ll break down the requirements, clear up any confusion, and guide you through getting certified the right way.

What Is the City of Los Angeles Food Manager Certification?

The City of Los Angeles Food Manager Certification refers to the requirement for food establishments to employ at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on-site. While the term “City of Los Angeles” is often used informally, food safety regulations are actually enforced by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

That means:

City of LA food businesses must follow LA County rules.
There is no separate certification for the City of Los Angeles versus Los Angeles County.

If you operate within city limits, you’re still required to obtain a nationally accredited food manager certification that meets Los Angeles County’s standards.

The County-Wide Requirement: Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)

Whether you’re in the City of LA or elsewhere in the county, your certification must come from an ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and Conference for Food Protection (CFP)-approved exam.

This means:

Your exam provider must be ANAB-accredited.
The certification is valid nationwide and accepted by all LA County health inspectors.
Certification is valid for five years.

At AAA Food Handler, we offer access to nationally accredited food manager certification programs that are fully recognized by Los Angeles County Environmental Health.

Why the Confusion Between City and County?

Los Angeles is unique—it’s a large city within an even larger county. Many food business owners assume that the City of Los Angeles Food Manager Certification would have separate requirements, but food safety enforcement is centralized under the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health – Environmental Health Division.

In other words:

There’s one set of rules for all 88 cities within LA County, including the City of LA.
Your certification is valid whether you work in Westwood, Boyle Heights, or even outside city limits in Long Beach or Pasadena (which operate their own health departments but accept ANAB-CFP Certificate).

How to Get Certified in the City of Los Angeles

Step 1: Choose an ANAB-CFP Accredited Program

Look for a Certified Food Protection Manager program accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and approved by the Conference for Food Protection (CFP).
AAA Food Handler connects you with fully compliant, user-friendly options accepted throughout Los Angeles County.

Step 2: Prepare for the Exam

Study key topics like:

Foodborne illness prevention
Proper cooking and storage temperatures
Sanitation and cross-contamination
Pest control
Employee hygiene

Step 3: Take the Exam

The exam typically includes 80–90 multiple-choice questions and takes about 1.5–2 hours. You must pass with a minimum score (usually 70%).

Step 4: Keep Your Certificate Available

After passing, your City of Los Angeles Food Manager Certification (technically an LA County-approved CFPM certificate) should be kept on-site and presented to inspectors upon request.

Real-World Example: Why Certification Matters

In 2024, a high-volume restaurant in the City of LA was cited for major food safety violations, including improper food storage temperatures and lack of employee hygiene training. The inspection revealed the manager had an expired CFPM certificate—a violation that led to a 72-hour closure and a $2,500 fine.

Avoid costly setbacks: keep your City of Los Angeles Food Manager Certification current and accessible.

Why Choose AAA Food Handler?

At AAA Food Handler, we help you:

Access ANAB-accredited, CFP-approved exams
Prepare with study guides tailored to California standards
Get certified quickly and affordably
Stay compliant with Los Angeles County requirements
Avoid the stress of outdated or unapproved programs

Final Thoughts

While there’s no separate City of Los Angeles Food Manager Certification, food businesses inside city limits must comply with Los Angeles County’s CFPM requirements. Getting certified through an ANAB-accredited provider ensures you’re covered—whether you manage a corner taco shop or a high-end restaurant on Sunset Boulevard.

Get started today with AAA Food Handler and earn your nationally accepted food manager certification—fast, affordable, and fully compliant.