ANSI/ANAB accredited · Meets IDPH CFPM requirement
Illinois 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 ANSI-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification Illinois requires.
- 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 Illinois?
Illinois food establishments must be supervised by a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). The certification comes from an ANSI-accredited course and exam such as Always Food Safe’s.
Statewide — Illinois Department of Public Health
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)
- Food establishments must be under the supervision of a certified food protection manager under the state Food Code.
- Certification requires an ANSI-accredited course and passing exam.
- Certificates are valid for five years.
- Allergen training: CFPMs working in Category I (high-risk) restaurants must also complete ANSI-accredited allergen awareness training within 30 days of employment and every 3 years.
Sources: IDPH CFPM · IDPH allergen training FAQ
City of Chicago
Chicago Has Its Own Certificate
- Chicago food establishments need a Person In Charge holding a Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate on premises whenever TCS food is prepared or served.
- If you hold a valid ANSI-accredited CFPM certification, you may be able to apply for reciprocity to obtain the CDPH certificate.
- The original CDPH certificate must be posted where the public can see it.
- Chicago buyers: check CDPH reciprocity rules before you enroll.
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 Illinois 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 Illinois 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®.
Illinois Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge Illinois 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.
Illinois Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois food establishments are required to be under the supervision of a certified food protection manager in accordance with the state Food Code and adopted FDA Food Code.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois requires an ANSI-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager certification obtained by taking an accredited course and passing an exam. Always Food Safe’s Food Protection Manager exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
Is this the same as the Illinois FSSMC?
Illinois now uses the Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification, obtained through an ANSI-accredited course and exam. This package provides that CFPM certification.
Can I use this certificate in Chicago?
Chicago requires a Chicago Department of Public Health Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate. If you hold a valid ANSI-accredited CFPM certification, you may be able to apply to CDPH for reciprocity. Check CDPH reciprocity rules before you enroll.
Do Illinois food managers need allergen training?
Yes, in many cases. Certified food protection managers working in Category I (high-risk) restaurants must complete ANSI-accredited allergen awareness training within 30 days of employment and every 3 years thereafter. Allergen training is a separate course.
Can I take the Illinois 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 an Illinois CFPM certificate valid?
Illinois CFPM certificates are valid for five years after successful completion of the course and passing the exam.
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 Illinois ANSI-accredited CFPM requirement.
Start Your Illinois Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale