On the MA DPH exam directory · ANAB accredited
Massachusetts 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. Always Food Safe is on the Massachusetts DPH directory of recognized food protection manager exam organizations.
- 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 Massachusetts?
Every Massachusetts food establishment must employ at least one person in charge who is a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). Massachusetts accepts five-year certificates from the exam organizations on its directory, including The Always Food Safe Company, LLC.
105 CMR 590.002 — Mass. Dept. of Public Health
Certified Food Protection Manager
- Each food establishment must employ at least one person in charge who is an on-site manager or supervisor, is 18 or older, and is a certified food protection manager.
- Certification comes from passing an exam that is part of an accredited program recognized by the Department.
- The DPH directory (updated January 5, 2026) lists The Always Food Safe Company, LLC among its recognized exam organizations, and Massachusetts accepts their five-year certificates.
- Temporary food establishments run by nonprofits are exempt.
Sources: 105 CMR 590 · MA DPH exam directory
105 CMR 590.011(C) — Allergen awareness
Separate MA Allergen Certificate
- Establishments that cook, prepare or serve food for immediate consumption must have a CFPM on staff who also holds a Massachusetts certificate of allergen awareness training.
- That certificate must come from a DPH-recognized allergen training vendor and is valid for five years.
- The CFPM must post the allergen certificate and make sure employees are trained in allergen awareness.
- This package covers the CFPM exam only. The Massachusetts allergen certificate is not included.
Sources: MA DPH allergen guidance · MA DPH approved allergen vendors
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 local board of 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®.
Massachusetts Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge Massachusetts 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.
Massachusetts Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in Massachusetts?
Yes. Under 105 CMR 590.002, each Massachusetts food establishment must employ at least one person in charge who is an on-site manager or supervisor, is 18 or older, and is a certified food protection manager.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in Massachusetts?
Yes. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health exam directory, updated January 5, 2026, lists The Always Food Safe Company, LLC as a recognized food protection manager exam organization, and Massachusetts accepts five-year certificates from listed organizations.
Do I also need allergen awareness training in Massachusetts?
Yes, in most food establishments. Establishments that cook, prepare or serve food for immediate consumption must have a certified food protection manager on staff who also holds a Massachusetts certificate of allergen awareness training from a DPH-recognized vendor. That certificate is not included in this package.
How long is the Massachusetts allergen certificate valid?
The Massachusetts certificate of allergen awareness training is valid for five years.
Does the certified manager have to be on site?
Massachusetts requires the certified person in charge to be an on-site manager or supervisor, and a person in charge must be present during operation.
Can I take the Massachusetts 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, and Massachusetts accepts certificates with a five-year expiration date from listed exam organizations.
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?
Yes. Both The Always Food Safe Company, LLC and National Restaurant Association Solutions (ServSafe) are on the Massachusetts Department of Public Health directory of recognized food protection manager exam organizations.
Start Your Massachusetts Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale