ANSI/ANAB accredited CFPM exam
Maryland 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. Earn the ANAB-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager credential Maryland requires, then register it with your county.
- 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 Maryland?
Maryland requires a certified food protection manager on site, and county health departments issue their own manager cards. Earn your national certificate first, then register it with the county where you work.
Maryland Department of Health
State CFPM Requirement
- Each retail food service establishment must have at least one person in charge who is a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on site during all hours of operation.
- The CFPM must complete a food protection manager certification program accredited by ANAB.
- Keep proof of certification at the establishment and present it during inspections.
Source: Maryland Department of Health Food Code fact sheet (Oct. 2025)
County manager cards
Register With Your County
- Baltimore County: medium- and high-priority facilities need a Certified Food Manager on site during all hours. The county lists The Always Food Safe Company, LLC as an accepted certification and issues a Level I ID card.
- Prince George’s County: restaurants and mobile units serving prepared food need a county Certified Food Service Manager on duty at all times. Upload a passing certificate from an accredited testing organization ($73 fee plus charges).
- Montgomery County and Baltimore City have their own exam and training rules. Check with them before you enroll.
Sources: Baltimore County · Prince George’s County
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 Maryland 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 Maryland 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 register with your county health department.
Nationally recognized
Always Food Safe’s exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the same accreditation standard held by ServSafe®.
Maryland Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge Maryland 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.
Maryland Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in Maryland?
Yes. The Maryland Department of Health says each retail food service establishment must have at least one person in charge who is a Certified Food Protection Manager on site during all hours of operation, certified through an ANAB-accredited program.
Do I need a county food manager card in Maryland?
Usually, yes. County health departments such as Baltimore County, Prince George’s County and Montgomery County issue their own manager identification cards. You apply with a copy of your national certificate and pay the county fee.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in Baltimore County?
Yes. Baltimore County lists The Always Food Safe Company, LLC Food Protection Manager Certification among its accepted certifications for the Level I Certified Manager identification card.
What does Prince George’s County require?
Restaurants and mobile units serving prepared food must have a Prince George’s County Certified Food Service Manager on duty at all times. Applicants upload a passing certificate from an accredited testing organization, a government ID and a passport photo, and pay a $73 fee plus additional charges.
Can I use this course in Montgomery County?
Check with Montgomery County first. The county says its manager exam must be taken at a proctored location and that online test certificates are not accepted, so this online, remotely proctored package may not qualify for a Montgomery County Certified Food Service Manager card.
Can I use this course in Baltimore City?
Check with the Baltimore City Health Department first. Its Food Service Manager application says new applicants must document a 16-hour in-class course, which this online course does not provide.
Can I take the Maryland 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. County manager cards may have their own renewal periods.
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. County card fees are not included.
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?
Both are ANAB-accredited food protection manager certifications, and Baltimore County lists both The Always Food Safe Company, LLC and ServSafe among its accepted certifications.
Start Your Maryland Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale