ANAB accredited · Recognized by TN food rules
Tennessee 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. A Tennessee person in charge who holds this certification is deemed to meet the state’s food safety knowledge rule.
- 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.
Does Tennessee Require Food Manager Certification?
Tennessee requires a person in charge during all hours of operation, and that person must be able to prove food safety knowledge to the inspector. A Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certificate is the most reliable way to do it.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-23-01-.02
Person in Charge Rules
- A person in charge must be present during all hours of operation.
- During inspections, the person in charge must demonstrate knowledge of foodborne illness prevention, HACCP principles and the food rules.
- They can show this in one of three ways: no priority violations during the inspection, being a certified food protection manager, or answering the inspector’s questions correctly.
Sources: Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-23-01-.02 · TN Department of Health food rules
Why get certified
The Surest Way to Show Knowledge
- Tennessee’s rules say a person in charge certified through a Conference for Food Protection accredited program is deemed to comply with the knowledge requirement.
- The other two options depend on how a single inspection goes. A certificate does not.
- Your employer, franchise or corporate food safety policy may also require a CFPM for managers.
- Certify each shift lead so every person in charge is covered.
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 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®.
Tennessee Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge Tennessee 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.
Tennessee Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in Tennessee?
Not in every case. Tennessee requires a person in charge during all hours of operation who can demonstrate food safety knowledge. Being a certified food protection manager is one of three ways to do that, and your employer may require it.
How does a certified food protection manager meet Tennessee’s rules?
Under Tennessee rule 1200-23-01-.02, a person in charge certified through a food protection manager program accredited under Conference for Food Protection standards is deemed to comply with the knowledge requirement.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee recognizes food protection manager certification programs listed by a Conference for Food Protection recognized accrediting agency. The Always Food Safe Food Protection Manager exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
What are the other ways to demonstrate knowledge?
The person in charge can also demonstrate knowledge by having no priority violations during the current inspection, or by correctly answering the inspector’s questions about the operation. Both depend on how that inspection goes.
Does a person in charge have to be on site?
Yes. Tennessee requires the permit holder to ensure a person in charge is present at the food establishment during all hours of operation.
Can I take the Tennessee 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.
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?
Both the Always Food Safe and ServSafe food manager exams are accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under the Conference for Food Protection standards, and both are recognized under Tennessee’s person-in-charge rule.
Start Your Tennessee Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale