ANAB accredited · Meets 7.6.2 NMAC
New Mexico 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. Every New Mexico permitted food establishment needs at least one Certified Food Protection Manager, and certified managers don’t need a separate food handler card.
- 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 New Mexico?
Since 2019, New Mexico’s food service regulations (7.6.2 NMAC) have required a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) at every permitted food establishment. Albuquerque runs its own food program with a matching requirement.
7.6.2.8 NMAC — New Mexico Environment Department
Statewide (NMED)
- At least one employee per food establishment with supervisory and management responsibility, and authority over food preparation and service, must be a CFPM who passed a test from an accredited program.
- One CFPM may cover more than one establishment only with an approved variance.
- A valid CFPM certification exempts you from the food handler card requirement. Manufactured food facilities do not need a CFPM.
Sources: NMED food handler & food manager training · 7.6.2.8 NMAC
City of Albuquerque Environmental Health
Albuquerque & Bernalillo County
- NMED does not have jurisdiction in Albuquerque or Bernalillo County; they run their own food safety programs.
- Albuquerque’s rules require all food establishments to have at least one CFPM who passed a test accredited under Conference for Food Protection standards.
- A food manager certification for the supervisor is part of Albuquerque’s permit application, and a CFPM is exempt from the food handler card.
Sources: Albuquerque Food Service and Retail Rules · Albuquerque food permit
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 New Mexico 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 New Mexico 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®.
New Mexico Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge New Mexico 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.
New Mexico Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in New Mexico?
Yes. Under 7.6.2.8 NMAC, at least one employee per food establishment with supervisory and management responsibility must be a certified food protection manager who passed a test from an accredited program. Albuquerque’s rules have a matching requirement.
Can one certified manager cover multiple locations?
Only with an approved variance. Both NMED and the City of Albuquerque allow a CFPM to be responsible for more than one food establishment when a variance is approved.
Do certified food managers need a food handler card in New Mexico?
No. NMED states that people with a valid Certified Food Protection Manager certification do not need a food handler card, and Albuquerque’s rules also exempt CFPMs from the food handler card requirement.
Who enforces the rules in Albuquerque?
The NMED Food Safety Program does not have jurisdiction in Albuquerque or Bernalillo County, which run their own food safety programs. Albuquerque’s Environmental Health Department requires at least one CFPM at all food establishments.
Are any establishments exempt?
NMED does not require a CFPM for manufactured food facilities. In Albuquerque, the enforcement authority may waive the requirement for establishments it deems minimal risk based on the nature of the operation and extent of food preparation.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in New Mexico?
Yes. New Mexico requires a test that is part of an accredited program, and Albuquerque requires a test accredited under Conference for Food Protection standards. The Always Food Safe Food Protection Manager exam is ANAB accredited to those standards.
Can I take the New Mexico 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.
Is this certification equivalent to ServSafe?
Yes. Both Always Food Safe and ServSafe are ANAB-accredited food protection manager certification programs that meet Conference for Food Protection standards.
Start Your New Mexico Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale