ANAB accredited · Recommended by ND HHS
North Dakota 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. North Dakota HHS recommends a Certified Food Protection Manager at every food establishment, and Grand Forks and the First District Health Unit require one for many.
- 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.
Do You Need Food Manager Certification in North Dakota?
The North Dakota Food Code excludes the FDA Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) requirement, but North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends one, and some local health jurisdictions require it.
Statewide — N.D. Admin. Code 33-33-04.1
Recommended Statewide
- Food Code §2-102.12 (CFPM) is excluded from the North Dakota Food Code.
- HHS recommends at least one supervisor or manager be a CFPM, and notes a CFPM may be required in some areas.
- A CFPM has supervisory or management responsibility and has passed a certification test from a recognized accredited program.
Sources: N.D. Admin. Code 33-33-04.1 · ND HHS Food Safety Training
Local requirements
Where a CFPM Is Required
- Grand Forks: the person in charge of a food service establishment must be a certified food manager. Exemptions include level 1 low-risk facilities, food carts, mobile units, seasonal stands and some nonprofits.
- First District Health Unit (Minot area): risk level 2+ establishments with 10 or more food employees need a qualified person in charge at all times.
- Fargo Cass Public Health: strongly encouraged, not required.
Sources: Grand Forks City Code · First District Health Unit · Fargo Cass Public Health
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 North Dakota 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 Dakota 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®.
North Dakota Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge North Dakota 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 Dakota Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in North Dakota?
Not statewide. The North Dakota Food Code excludes the FDA Certified Food Protection Manager requirement, but North Dakota HHS recommends that every food establishment have at least one supervisor or manager who is a CFPM. Some local jurisdictions require one.
Where is a certified food manager required?
Grand Forks requires the person in charge of a food service establishment to be a certified food manager, with exemptions. The First District Health Unit requires a qualified person in charge at all times at risk level 2 or higher establishments with 10 or more food employees.
Which Grand Forks establishments are exempt?
Exemptions include level 1 facilities serving only low-risk foods, food carts, mobile food units, seasonal temporary stands, childcare and bed-and-breakfast facilities, nonprofits whose primary activity is not food service, and satellite or catered feeding locations.
Is certification required in Fargo?
Fargo Cass Public Health strongly encourages a CFPM but says it is not a current requirement.
Why get certified if my area does not require it?
North Dakota HHS recommends a CFPM at every food establishment. Manager certification is recognized in states that require it and is often required by employers, franchisors and multi-state operators.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted?
North Dakota HHS defines a CFPM as someone who passed a certification test from a recognized accredited program. The Always Food Safe Food Protection Manager exam is accredited by ANAB under Conference for Food Protection standards. Local health units such as FDHU accept only approved courses, so confirm with yours before enrolling.
Who should I contact about local rules?
Contact your local public health unit. North Dakota HHS advises checking with your local public health agency because a CFPM may be required in some areas of the state.
Can I take the North Dakota 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.
Start Your North Dakota Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale