ANAB accredited · Meets ADH Rule 2-102.11
Arkansas 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. Arkansas requires most retail food establishments to have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager, and new permit holders have 12 months to comply.
- 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 Arkansas?
Since September 7, 2019, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Rules Pertaining to Retail Food Establishments have required a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) at most food facilities statewide.
ADH Rules — Section 2-102.11
The CFPM Requirement
- At least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility, and authority over food preparation and service, must be a Certified Food Protection Manager.
- The CFPM must pass a test that is part of an accredited program. Section 2-102.12 recognizes programs listed by a Conference for Food Protection-recognized accrediting agency, such as ANAB.
- The ADH food permit application asks whether you or a supervisory employee holds a CFPM certificate.
Sources: ADH Rules Pertaining to Retail Food Establishments · ADH food permit application
Deadlines & exemptions
12 Months for New Permits
- Establishments permitted after the rule took effect have 12 months from the date the permit is issued to comply.
- Exempt: establishments ADH deems minimal risk, including those that only provide commercially prepackaged foods or only ADH-approved low-risk, non-TCS foods.
- The rule requires a certified manager on staff; it does not require a CFPM on site during all hours.
Sources: ADH Food Protection FAQ · Section 2-102.11
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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 keep on file and show your ADH inspector.
Nationally recognized
Always Food Safe’s exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the same accreditation standard held by ServSafe®.
Arkansas Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge Arkansas 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.
Arkansas Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in Arkansas?
Yes, for most retail food establishments. Since September 7, 2019, ADH rules require at least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility to be a certified food protection manager who passed a test from an accredited program.
How long does a new Arkansas establishment have to comply?
Establishments permitted after the rule took effect have 12 months from the date their permit is issued to have a certified food protection manager.
Which establishments are exempt?
The requirement does not apply to establishments ADH deems minimal risk based on the nature of the operation and extent of food preparation, including those that only provide commercially prepackaged foods or only ADH-approved low-risk non-time/temperature control for safety foods.
Does the certified manager have to be on site at all times?
Arkansas’s rule requires at least one supervisory employee to be a certified food protection manager. It does not require the certified manager to be present during all hours, but the person in charge on every shift must still demonstrate food safety knowledge to the inspector.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas accepts certification from a program 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).
Do I register my certificate with the Arkansas Department of Health?
ADH does not list a separate CFPM registration or fee. The food permit application asks whether you or a supervisory employee holds a certificate, and inspectors may ask to see it, so keep a copy at your establishment.
Can I take the Arkansas 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 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 Always Food Safe and ServSafe are ANAB-accredited food protection manager certification programs that meet Conference for Food Protection standards, which is what Arkansas’s rule requires.
Start Your Arkansas Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale