ODH-approved course · ANAB-accredited exam
Ohio 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. Built for Ohio’s Manager Certification in Food Protection requirement.
- 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 Ohio?
Ohio requires a manager-certified employee at every risk level III and IV food service operation and retail food establishment. Always Food Safe’s Food Protection Manager Course is on the Ohio Department of Health’s list of approved online courses.
Ohio Administrative Code 3717-1-02.4
Manager Certification in Food Protection
- Each risk level III and IV food service operation and retail food establishment must have at least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility who holds manager certification in food protection.
- Temporary, mobile and vending locations, and risk level I and II operations, are exempt from this requirement.
- A person in charge with applicable knowledge must be present during all hours of operation.
Sources: OAC 3717-1-02.4 · Ohio Department of Health
How Ohio certification works
Approved Course + Accredited Exam
- Ohio requires an ODH-approved course and a certification exam. Always Food Safe’s Food Protection Manager Course is on ODH’s approved online course list.
- Any exam on the ANSI-CFP accredited list meets Ohio’s exam requirement. The Always Food Safe exam is ANAB accredited.
- The Ohio Manager Certification is issued by the Ohio Department of Health.
- Manager certification also satisfies Ohio’s Person-In-Charge (Level One) certification requirement.
Sources: ODH food safety certification · OAC 3701-21-25
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 Ohio 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 Ohio 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®.
Ohio Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge Ohio 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.
Ohio Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in Ohio?
Yes, for risk level III and IV food service operations and retail food establishments. Each must have at least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility who holds the Ohio Manager Certification in Food Protection.
Is the Always Food Safe course approved in Ohio?
Yes. The Always Food Safe Food Protection Manager Course is on the Ohio Department of Health’s list of approved online courses for the Ohio Manager Certification in Food Protection.
Does the Always Food Safe exam meet Ohio’s exam requirement?
Yes. The Ohio Department of Health states that any exam on the ANSI-CFP accredited list meets the exam requirement for Ohio manager certification. The Always Food Safe Food Protection Manager exam is ANAB accredited.
Is this the same as Ohio Level Two certification?
Yes. Ohio Manager Certification in Food Protection is often called Level Two. Person-In-Charge certification is often called Level One.
Do I also need Person-In-Charge (Level One) certification?
No. Under Ohio rules, a person in charge who has obtained manager certification in food protection issued by the director of health is not required to obtain separate person-in-charge certification, except in certain enforcement situations.
Who issues the Ohio Manager Certification?
The Ohio Manager Certification in Food Protection is issued by the Ohio Department of Health. Always Food Safe issues your Food Protection Manager certificate when you pass the exam.
Can I take the Ohio 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.
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 Always Food Safe 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 Manager courses are on the Ohio Department of Health’s approved online course list, and both food manager exams are accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
Start Your Ohio Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale