NJ-accredited organization · ANAB-accredited exam
New Jersey Food Manager Certification Online Course + Remote Proctored Exam
Train at your own pace, then take your proctored exam from home or the office. No testing center, no appointment. Always Food Safe is on the NJ Department of Health’s list of accredited Food Protection Manager organizations.
- Self-paced video course in English or Spanish
- 80-question ANAB-accredited exam with remote proctor included
- Second exam attempt included at no extra cost
- Certificate valid for 5 years
Exam requires a laptop, desktop or Chromebook with webcam and microphone. Phones and tablets are not supported.
Who Needs Food Manager Certification in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) in Risk Type 3 food establishments and for cottage food operators. Only certificates from New Jersey accredited organizations are accepted, and The Always Food Safe Company, LLC is on that list.
N.J.A.C. 8:24-2.1
Risk Type 3 Food Establishments
- At least one person in charge in a Risk Type 3 establishment must be a certified food protection manager.
- Risk Type 3 includes operations with extensive menus and complex preparation, such as full service restaurants, diners, commissaries and caterers, and hospitals, nursing homes and preschools preparing potentially hazardous foods.
- The CFPM need not be on the premises at all times, but a knowledgeable person in charge must be present during all hours of operation.
- Certified managers must keep their certificate current by following the certifying program’s renewal requirements.
Sources: N.J.A.C. 8:24-2.1 · NJDOH Chapter 24 FAQ · Monmouth County Health Dept.
NJ Department of Health
Accredited Organizations Only
- “Only Food Protection Manager certificates issued by New Jersey accredited organizations are accepted.”
- The Always Food Safe Company, LLC is on the NJDOH list, and certificates from listed organizations are equally accepted.
- Cottage food operators must also hold Food Protection Manager Certification.
- Enroll in the certified Food Protection Manager program, which includes the proctored exam.
Sources: NJDOH Retail Food · NJDOH Cottage Food
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 New Jersey package. Your login details arrive by email.
- 2
Complete the video course
Self-paced on any device. Chapter quizzes and a practice exam show what to review.
- 3
Take the proctored exam
On a laptop, desktop or Chromebook with webcam and mic. No scheduling required.
- 4
Get your certificate
See your score immediately. Pass and receive your 5-year Food Protection Manager certificate.
What’s Included in the New Jersey Package
Video-based training
Self-paced online video course that you can pause and resume around your work schedule. Available in English and Spanish.
Quizzes & practice exam
Chapter quizzes and a full practice exam highlight weak areas so you can review before the real test.
Remote-proctored exam
80-question ANAB-accredited exam taken from home or office with an on-demand online proctor. The session works much like a video call.
Second attempt included
If you do not pass the first time, your second exam attempt is included in the package price.
5-year certificate
Pass and receive a Food Protection Manager certificate from Always Food Safe, valid for five years, to show your employer or local health inspector.
Nationally recognized
Always Food Safe’s exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the same accreditation standard held by ServSafe®.
New Jersey Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge New Jersey health inspectors expect a certified manager or person in charge to demonstrate.
- Introduction — responsibilities of a Food Protection Manager
- Contamination — hazards and major food allergens
- The Food Handler — personal hygiene and work attire
- Time & Temperature Control
- Purchasing to Storeroom — receiving and storage
- Preparation — thawing, prepping and cooking
- Service — holding and serving food safely
- Cleaning & Sanitizing
- Food Safety Management — building a food safety system
- Facilities & Pest Management
Before You Order: Remote Exam Requirements
You will need
- A laptop, desktop or Chromebook with webcam and microphone
- Windows 10+, macOS 10.14+ or ChromeOS
- Google Chrome browser (version 120 or newer)
- Internet speed of at least 1.5 Mbps down / 750 Kbps up
- A current, government-issued photo ID
- A private, quiet room where no one walks in and out
Not supported
- Mobile phones, iPads and other tablets
- Onn / Surf Onn, Amcrest and Nexigo webcams
Exams are available in English and Spanish. Proctors give directions in English.
New Jersey Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in New Jersey?
Yes, for Risk Type 3 food establishments. Under N.J.A.C. 8:24-2.1, at least one person in charge in a Risk Type 3 establishment must be a certified food protection manager. Cottage food operators must also hold Food Protection Manager Certification.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in New Jersey?
Yes. The New Jersey Department of Health accepts only certificates from New Jersey accredited organizations, and The Always Food Safe Company, LLC is on that list. Certificates from any listed organization are equally accepted.
What is a Risk Type 3 establishment?
A Risk Type 3 establishment has an extensive menu with raw ingredients and complex preparation, including cooking, cooling and reheating at least three potentially hazardous foods. Examples include full service restaurants, diners, commissaries, caterers, and hospitals, nursing homes and preschools preparing potentially hazardous foods.
Does the certified manager have to be on site at all times?
No. The New Jersey Department of Health says the CFPM need not be on the premises at all times, but a designated person in charge who is knowledgeable about food safety must be present during all hours of operation.
Do cottage food operators in New Jersey need this certification?
Yes. The New Jersey Department of Health requires cottage food operators to hold Food Protection Manager Certification from a New Jersey accredited organization, such as The Always Food Safe Company, LLC.
Can I take the New Jersey food manager exam online?
Yes. The exam is taken online with a remote proctor from your home or office. No scheduling is required. You need a laptop, desktop or Chromebook with a webcam and microphone, a government-issued photo ID and a private room.
How long is the certificate valid?
The Always Food Safe Food Protection Manager certificate is valid for five years. New Jersey requires certified managers to keep their certificate current by following the certifying program’s renewal requirements.
What does the $179.95 package include?
The package includes the self-paced online video course, chapter quizzes and practice exam, the ANAB-accredited Food Protection Manager exam, the remote proctor fee, a second exam attempt if needed, and the 5-year certificate.
What happens if I fail the exam?
Your package includes two exam attempts. If you do not pass the first attempt, you can take the exam a second time at no additional cost.
Can I take the course and exam in Spanish?
Yes. The course and exam are available in English and Spanish. Remote proctors give their directions in English.
Can I use my phone or tablet for the exam?
No. Mobile phones, iPads and tablets are not supported for the proctored exam. You can study the course on any device, but the exam requires a laptop, desktop or Chromebook with a webcam and microphone.
Is this certification equivalent to ServSafe?
Yes. Both The Always Food Safe Company, LLC and the National Restaurant Association (ServSafe) are on the New Jersey Department of Health’s list of accredited organizations, and certificates from listed organizations are equally accepted.
Start Your New Jersey Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale