ANAB accredited · Meets the NC Food Code
North Carolina 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. Meet the NC Food Code requirement for a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM).
- 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina requires the person in charge to be a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) whenever food is being prepared, packaged or served. Most operations need more than one certified manager to cover every shift.
NC Food Code — 15A NCAC 18A .2652
The Person in Charge Must Be a CFPM
- The person in charge must be a certified food protection manager who passed a test that is part of an accredited program.
- This applies whenever the establishment is operating and food is being prepared, packaged or served for immediate consumption.
- At least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility must hold a certification from an ANSI-accredited program.
- Congregate nutrition sites and Risk Category I establishments are exempt.
Source: 15A NCAC 18A .2600 (NC DHHS)
Deadlines & inspections
New Permits and Ownership Changes
- New food establishments have 210 days after the permit is issued to meet the CFPM requirement.
- Establishments operating on a transitional permit after an ownership change have 180 days.
- Existing establishments without a person in charge who is a CFPM may be assessed points on their inspection.
- Plan for enough certified managers to cover every shift, including nights and weekends.
Source: NC DHHS CFPM position statement
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 employer or 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®.
North Carolina Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge North Carolina 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.
North Carolina Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in North Carolina?
Yes. The NC Food Code requires the person in charge to be a certified food protection manager whenever the establishment is operating and food is being prepared, packaged or served for immediate consumption.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina requires a certification from an ANSI-accredited program. The Always Food Safe Food Protection Manager exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
Does a CFPM have to be on site during all hours?
Yes, in practice. The person in charge must be a certified food protection manager whenever food is being prepared, packaged or served, so most operations need enough certified managers to cover every shift.
How long does a new restaurant have to get a CFPM?
A new food establishment has 210 days after its permit is issued to meet the CFPM requirement. An establishment on a transitional permit after an ownership change has 180 days.
Which establishments are exempt?
Congregate nutrition sites and Risk Category I food establishments are exempt from the North Carolina CFPM requirement.
Can I take the North Carolina 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 take the course and exam in Spanish?
Yes. The course and exam are available in English and Spanish. Remote proctors give their directions in English.
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 the Always Food Safe and ServSafe food manager exams are accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under the Conference for Food Protection standards, and both meet the North Carolina CFPM requirement.
Start Your North Carolina Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale