ANAB accredited · Meets 6 CCR 1010-2
Colorado 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. Since March 1, 2025, the person in charge at most Colorado food establishments must be a Certified Food Protection Manager.
- 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 Colorado?
Colorado adopted the 2022 FDA Food Code as its Retail Food Establishment Rules. Beginning March 1, 2025, the person in charge at most food establishments must be a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM).
6 CCR 1010-2 § 2-102.12 & 2-102.20
The CFPM Requirement
- At least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility and authority over food preparation and service must be a CFPM.
- Since March 1, 2025, the person in charge must be a CFPM at most food establishments, so certify each shift’s person in charge.
- Only Conference for Food Protection, ANSI-accredited Food Protection Manager exams meet the rule. The Always Food Safe exam is ANAB accredited.
Sources: 6 CCR 1010-2 · Larimer County CFPM guidance · Jefferson County Public Health
Exemptions & Denver
Who Is Exempt
- State guidance exempts Limited Retail Food Establishments, including mobile prepackaged operations, and grocery stores without a deli.
- Local health agencies may exempt other low-risk operations based on menu, food prep, size and population served, and decide case by case for temporary events.
- Denver enforces its own food code. Denver operators should confirm current manager requirements with Denver Public Health & Environment.
Sources: CDPHE CFPM exemptions memo · Colorado Restaurant Association
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 Colorado 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 Colorado 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 local public health agency inspector.
Nationally recognized
Always Food Safe’s exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the same accreditation standard held by ServSafe®.
Colorado Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge Colorado 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.
Colorado Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in Colorado?
Yes, at most food establishments. Under 6 CCR 1010-2, at least one supervisory employee must be a certified food protection manager, and beginning March 1, 2025, the person in charge must be a CFPM at most food establishments.
What changed on March 1, 2025?
Colorado adopted the 2022 FDA Food Code in 2024, and the person-in-charge rule took effect March 1, 2025. Since then, the person in charge at most food establishments must be a certified food protection manager, not just one employee on staff.
Do I need a certified manager on every shift?
Because the person in charge must be a CFPM at most food establishments, operators should certify each person who serves as person in charge, including shift leads.
Which Colorado establishments are exempt?
State guidance exempts Limited Retail Food Establishments, including mobile prepackaged operations, and grocery stores without a deli. Local public health agencies may exempt other low-risk operations and decide case by case for temporary events.
Does this apply in Denver?
Denver enforces its own food code through Denver Public Health and Environment. Denver operators should confirm current manager certification requirements directly with the city.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado accepts Conference for Food Protection, ANSI-accredited Food Protection Manager exams. The Always Food Safe Food Protection Manager exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
Can I take the Colorado 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 the Always Food Safe and ServSafe food manager exams are ANAB accredited under Conference for Food Protection standards, which is what Colorado requires.
Start Your Colorado Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale