California Food Manager Certification
ANAB Accredited, Online Course + Remote Proctored Exam
Always Food Safe® California Food Protection Manager Certification
Accepted by all California Department of Public Health (CDPH) jurisdictions.
Meets Health & Safety Code § 113947-113949 requirements.”
Accepted Statewide
5-Year Certificate
Two Exam Attempts
On-Demand Remote Exam
English & Spanish
How It Works
From enrollment to certificate in as little as one day — four simple steps.
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1
Enroll
Sign up in about two minutes for $169.95. Get instant access to the online training and both exam attempts — no waiting, no shipping, no classroom scheduling.
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2
Study
Complete the self-paced video course in 4–6 hours — on any device, at your own pace. Available in English and Spanish, 24/7. Start, stop, and resume any time.
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3
Test
Schedule your 80-question ANAB-accredited exam and take it from home with a live remote proctor. A laptop or desktop with webcam is required. Two attempts included — no extra cost if you need a retake.
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4
Certify
Get your ANAB-accredited Food Manager Certificate the same day you pass. Valid for 5 years, accepted by every California Department of Public Health jurisdiction — all 58 counties.
Same-day certificate · Free retake included · English & Spanish
What You’ll Learn
A complete ANAB-accredited food safety curriculum aligned with the FDA Food Code and California Retail Food Code (CalCode). Ten modules cover everything on the 80-question certification exam.
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01
The Role of the Food Protection Manager
Legal responsibilities under California Health & Safety Code § 113947–113949, active managerial control, and building a food-safety culture in your facility.
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02
Foodborne Illness & Contamination
The Big 6 pathogens, common contaminants, cross-contamination prevention, and how to recognize outbreak risks before they reach customers.
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03
Allergens & the Big 9
The nine FDA-recognized major allergens (including sesame), staff training requirements, guest communication, and preventing allergen cross-contact in the kitchen.
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04
Personal Hygiene & Work Attire
Handwashing standards, glove use, no-bare-hand-contact rules, employee illness reporting, and California-specific hygiene requirements for food workers.
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05
Time & Temperature Control (TCS Foods)
The temperature danger zone, cold and hot holding requirements, cooling procedures, reheating standards, and time-as-a-public-health-control logs.
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06
Receiving, Storage & Thawing
Approved supplier requirements, delivery inspection, FIFO rotation, cold-chain integrity, and the four safe thawing methods approved by the FDA.
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07
Preparing, Cooking & Serving Food
Minimum internal cooking temperatures, safe prep practices, consumer advisories for undercooked items, and service-line food safety standards.
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08
Cleaning & Sanitizing
The difference between cleaning and sanitizing, chemical and heat sanitizing methods, dishwasher requirements, and building a cleaning schedule that passes inspection.
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09
Facilities, Pests, Utilities & Waste
Facility design for food safety, integrated pest management, water and plumbing standards, garbage handling, and physical hazard prevention.
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10
Food Safety Management Systems & HACCP
Building an active managerial control system, HACCP principles, standard operating procedures, and preparing for health inspections in California.
Practice exams included. Every module ends with a practice quiz so you can test your knowledge before scheduling the final ANAB-accredited exam. Retake the practice quizzes as many times as you like.
4–6 hours self-paced · Same-day certificate · English & Spanish
How We Compare
See why California food service professionals choose Food Manager USA over traditional classroom training and generic online courses.
| Feature |
Food Manager USA $169.95 |
Classroom Training $150–$250 |
Generic Online Course $120–$200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANAB-accredited exam | ✓ | ✓ Usually | ✕ Varies |
| Accepted by all 58 California counties | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ Check first |
| 100% online — no classroom travel | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Self-paced, 24/7 access | ✓ | ✕ Fixed schedule | ✓ |
| Course length | 4–6 hours | 6–8 hours Full day | Varies |
| Remote proctored exam (from home) | ✓ | ✕ On-site only | ✕ Testing center |
| Free exam retake included | ✓ 2 attempts | ✕ Pay to retake | ✕ Pay to retake |
| Available in English and Spanish | ✓ | Varies | Varies |
| Same-day certificate | ✓ | ✕ 1–2 weeks | ✕ Days to weeks |
| Certificate validity | 5 years | 5 years | Varies |
| Total cost including retake | $169.95 | $225–$400+ | $200–$350+ |
Comparison based on typical California market pricing and standard offerings from classroom-based food safety trainers and general online course providers as of 2026. Specific competitor programs may vary.
Same-day certificate · Free retake included · English & Spanish
Why Choose This California Food Manager Course/Exam?
Traditional in-person classes mean travel across California, scheduling conflicts, and full-day absences. The Always Food Safe California Food Manager Certification eliminates all of that. Complete your training and proctored exam entirely online—from home, the office, or anywhere in California with an internet connection.
The California Food Service Challenge
Scheduling Conflicts
Busy California restaurants can’t spare managers for full-day in-person classes.
CA Compliance Requirements
California Retail Food Code §113947.1 requires at least one certified Food Protection Manager per facility.
Cost Pressures
Travel across LA, San Diego, the Bay Area, or Sacramento adds up—especially for multi-location operators.
Your Complete California Solution
The Always Food Safe Online Manager Course delivers ANAB accredited Food Protection Manager certification accepted across California, through an engaging self-paced platform built for foodservice professionals.
100% Online
Train anywhere in California, anytime—on any device.
FDA & CA Code Aligned
Compliant with the FDA 2022 Model Food Code and California Retail Food Code.
5-Year Validity
Accepted statewide across California and nationwide for 5 full years.
Learn on Your Terms
Mobile Compatibility
Access training on smartphones, tablets, and computers—study during breaks or whenever you have time. (Exam requires a laptop or desktop.)
Self-Paced Learning
Pause, rewind, and review modules as often as you need to master each concept.
24/7 Availability
No class schedules, no time restrictions—train when it works for you and your California operation.
Accepted in Every California County
Our ANAB-accredited certification is recognized by all 58 California Department of Public Health (CDPH) jurisdictions — from the Oregon border to San Diego, and everywhere in between.
- Alameda County
- Alpine County
- Amador County
- Butte County
- Calaveras County
- Colusa County
- Contra Costa County
- Del Norte County
- El Dorado County
- Fresno County
- Glenn County
- Humboldt County
- Imperial County
- Inyo County
- Kern County
- Kings County
- Lake County
- Lassen County
- Los Angeles County
- Madera County
- Marin County
- Mariposa County
- Mendocino County
- Merced County
- Modoc County
- Mono County
- Monterey County
- Napa County
- Nevada County
- Orange County
- Placer County
- Plumas County
- Riverside County Handler card also required
- Sacramento County
- San Benito County
- San Bernardino County Handler card also required
- San Diego County Handler card also required
- San Francisco County
- San Joaquin County
- San Luis Obispo County
- San Mateo County
- Santa Barbara County
- Santa Clara County
- Santa Cruz County
- Shasta County
- Sierra County
- Siskiyou County
- Solano County
- Sonoma County
- Stanislaus County
- Sutter County
- Tehama County
- Trinity County
- Tulare County
- Tuolumne County
- Ventura County
- Yolo County
- Yuba County
Note about Food Handler Cards: San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties require line staff to also hold a separate county-issued Food Handler Card. This is a different credential from the Food Manager Certification on this page. Managers in all 58 counties (including these three) still need the ANAB-accredited Food Manager Certification offered here to satisfy California Health & Safety Code § 113947–113949.
Same-day certificate · Free retake included · English & Spanish
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the California Food Manager Certification.
Is this California Food Manager Certification accepted statewide?
Yes. Our certification is issued by Always Food Safe®, an ANAB-accredited provider, and is accepted by every California Department of Public Health (CDPH) jurisdiction — all 58 counties, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Orange County, Sacramento, Riverside, San Bernardino, Alameda, and Fresno. It satisfies California Health & Safety Code § 113947–113949 requirements.
Do I also need a California Food Handler Card?
The Food Manager Certification and the Food Handler Card are two different credentials. A Food Manager Certification is required for at least one manager per food facility during all hours of operation. A Food Handler Card is a separate, county-issued credential required for line staff in San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. This page covers the Food Manager Certification. If you also need a Food Handler Card, we offer that as a separate course.
How long is the certification valid?
Your ANAB-accredited Food Manager Certificate is valid for 5 years from the date you pass the exam. California law does not currently require earlier renewal, so you’re fully compliant statewide for the full 5-year period.
Is the exam online or in person?
The exam is 100% online with a live remote proctor. There’s no need to visit a testing center. You’ll schedule the 80-question ANAB-accredited exam at a time that works for you and take it from your home or office. A working webcam, microphone, and a private, quiet room are required. The proctor gives directions in English.
What happens if I don’t pass the exam on the first try?
Every course package includes two exam attempts at no extra cost — we’re the only provider that offers this. If you don’t pass the first attempt, you can review the training material and schedule a second attempt right away. Most learners pass on the first try.
How long does the course take to complete?
Most learners complete the self-paced video course in 4–6 hours, but you can spread it over multiple sessions on your own schedule. The course is available 24/7 and you can start, stop, and resume any time. There is no deadline to complete the training before scheduling the exam.
Is the course available in Spanish?
Yes. Both the training course and the ANAB-accredited exam are available in English and Spanish. You can choose your preferred language when you enroll. Note that the live remote proctor will give test-day instructions in English.
What device and internet do I need?
You can study the course on any device — laptop, desktop, tablet, or phone. However, the proctored exam requires a laptop or desktop (PC or Mac) with a working webcam and microphone. Mobile phones and tablets are not supported for the exam. A stable internet connection of at least 5 Mbps is recommended. You can run a free system check before enrolling to confirm your setup works.
Same-day certificate · Free retake included · English & Spanish
What’s Included in the California Food Manager Package
Everything you need to earn your California Food Protection Manager Certification—at one flat price.
Same-day certificate