ANAB accredited · Accepted by most U.S. health departments
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. Most states require at least one Certified Food Protection Manager at food establishments. Find your state’s rules below.
- 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?
Most states adopt the FDA Food Code requirement that at least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility be a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) who passed an accredited exam. Rules vary by state, county and city, so check your state before you enroll.
FDA Food Code §2-102.12
Where Certification Is Required
- In most states, licensed food establishments must have at least one CFPM. Some states and cities also require one on site during all hours or per shift.
- States generally accept exams from programs accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under Conference for Food Protection standards, including Always Food Safe’s.
- Deadlines differ. Many states give new establishments or new owners a set number of days to get a manager certified.
Source: FDA Food Code
Check before you enroll
States With Extra Steps or Local Rules
- Extra state step: Rhode Island requires a state application and $50 RIDOH fee after you pass.
- Approved-course states: South Dakota requires a DOH-approved course; Always Food Safe is not on its current list, so confirm first.
- Local rules: some cities and counties add requirements, such as Houston in Texas, Gallatin County in Montana and Lincoln in Nebraska.
- Not required statewide: Hawaii, Kansas, North Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming, though some local areas or employers require it.
See each state page for official sources.
Choose Your State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 online 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 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®.
Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge 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.
Food Manager Certification FAQs
What is food manager certification?
Food manager certification, also called Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification, shows that a manager or person in charge passed an accredited exam covering foodborne illness prevention, time and temperature control, cross-contamination, cleaning and sanitizing, and food safety management.
Is food manager certification required in my state?
Most states require at least one certified food protection manager at licensed food establishments, based on the FDA Food Code. A few states, including Hawaii, Kansas, North Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming, do not require it statewide, though some local areas do. Choose your state above for details.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in every state?
The Always Food Safe Food Protection Manager exam is accredited by ANAB under Conference for Food Protection standards and is accepted by most state and local health departments. Some jurisdictions add steps, such as Rhode Island’s state application, or approve courses individually, such as South Dakota. Check your state page or local health department before enrolling.
Is this certification equivalent to ServSafe?
Both Always Food Safe and ServSafe food manager exams are accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under Conference for Food Protection standards.
Can I take the 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 much does food manager certification cost?
The complete package is $179.95. It includes the online video course, chapter quizzes and practice exam, the ANAB-accredited exam, the remote proctor fee, a second exam attempt if needed, and the 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.
How long is the certificate valid?
The Always Food Safe Food Protection Manager certificate is valid for five years. Some states set their own renewal schedule; for example, South Dakota requires recertification every four years.
Can I use my phone or tablet?
You can study the course on any device, but mobile phones, iPads and tablets are not supported for the proctored exam. The exam requires a laptop, desktop or Chromebook with a webcam and microphone.
Is the course available in Spanish?
Yes. The course and exam are available in English and Spanish.
Can I enroll several employees at once?
Yes. You can register several employees in one transaction. Each person takes the course and exam under their own login and receives their own certificate.
Is this the same as a food handler card?
No. This is the manager-level certification for managers and persons in charge. Food handler cards are a separate, entry-level credential for other food employees.
Start Your Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale