ANAB accredited · Meets ADPH Rule 420-3-22
Alabama 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. Alabama requires a certified person in charge on site during all hours of operation at most food service establishments.
- 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 Alabama?
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Food Establishment Sanitation rules, Chapter 420-3-22, require a certified person in charge at Priority Category 3 and 4 establishments — which covers most restaurants and kitchens that cook, cool or reheat food.
ADPH Rule 420-3-22-.02(2)(a)
The Person in Charge Rule
- At Priority Category 3 and 4 establishments, the permit holder or designee must hold a valid certification from an accredited program.
- Since January 1, 2020, a certified person in charge must be present during all hours of operation, so certify each shift’s person in charge.
- For a permit, the certification must have been issued within the previous five years. A missing or outdated certification must be corrected within 120 days.
Categories & Jefferson County
Which Establishments Are Covered
- Category 3: handles unpackaged raw animal foods, cooks foods to reduce pathogens, reuses customer utensils, or cools or reheats food.
- Category 4: a Category 2 or 3 operation that also needs a variance or HACCP plan.
- Categories 1 and 2 (prepackaged-only stores and limited food service) are not covered by this rule.
- The Jefferson County Department of Health (Birmingham) lists The Always Food Safe Company among accepted ANSI-accredited food manager certifications.
Sources: Rule 420-3-22-.01 · Jefferson County Department of Health · ADPH Baldwin County
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 Alabama 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 Alabama 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 post at your establishment and show your 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®.
Alabama Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge Alabama 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.
Alabama Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in Alabama?
Yes, for Priority Category 3 and 4 establishments. Under ADPH Rule 420-3-22-.02, the permit holder or designee must hold a valid certification from an accredited program, and a certified person in charge must be present during all hours of operation.
Does a certified person need to be there on every shift?
Yes. Since January 1, 2020, a designated person in charge with a valid certification from an accredited program must be present during all hours of operation at Category 3 and 4 establishments.
What are Priority Category 3 and 4 establishments?
Category 3 establishments handle unpackaged raw animal foods, cook foods to reduce pathogens, reuse customer utensils, or cool or reheat food. Category 4 establishments are Category 2 or 3 operations that also require a variance or a HACCP plan.
Which Alabama establishments are not covered?
The certification rule applies to Priority Category 3 and 4 establishments. Category 1 stores that sell only prepackaged foods and Category 2 limited food service establishments are not covered by this rule.
How recent does my certification need to be?
For a permit, Alabama requires a valid certification issued within the previous five years. If an inspection finds the certification missing or out of date, it must be corrected within 120 days.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in Alabama?
Yes. Alabama requires certification from an accredited program, and the Always Food Safe Food Protection Manager exam is ANAB accredited. The Jefferson County Department of Health also lists The Always Food Safe Company among accepted food manager certifications.
Can I take the Alabama 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, which matches Alabama’s five-year window for permit verification.
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 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 and ServSafe food manager exams are ANAB accredited under Conference for Food Protection standards, and both appear on Jefferson County’s list of accepted certifications.
Start Your Alabama Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale