ANAB accredited · Meets the PA Food Employee Certification Act
Pennsylvania 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. Meets Pennsylvania’s certified food employee requirement, including Allegheny County. Philadelphia-approved provider.
- 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s Food Employee Certification Act requires a certified food employee at every licensed food facility. The certificate must come from an ANAB-approved program such as Always Food Safe.
Statewide — PA Department of Agriculture
Food Employee Certification Act
- Every licensed food facility needs at least one employee with a nationally recognized food manager certification from an ANAB-approved program.
- The certified employee must be available during all hours of operation and is the Person-in-Charge when in the facility.
- The certificate must be posted in public view.
- New facilities have 90 days to comply; facilities that lose their certified employee have 3 months.
- One employee can serve as the certified manager for only one facility.
Source: PA Department of Agriculture
Local health departments
Philadelphia & Allegheny County
- Philadelphia: Always Food Safe is on the Health Department’s approved provider list. After you pass, submit your certificate for verification and apply for the official City of Philadelphia Food Safety Personnel Certificate ($30 city fee).
- Philadelphia requires a certified person present at all hours of operation.
- Allegheny County (Pittsburgh): recognizes any ANSI-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager certificate and lists Always Food Safe’s program. A certified manager must be on site during all hours of operation.
Sources: City of Philadelphia · Philadelphia approved providers · Allegheny County
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 in public view at your facility.
Nationally recognized
Always Food Safe’s exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the same accreditation standard held by ServSafe®.
Pennsylvania Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge Pennsylvania food safety 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.
Pennsylvania Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Under the Food Employee Certification Act, every licensed food facility in Pennsylvania must have at least one employee with a nationally recognized food manager certification from an ANAB-approved program.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires a certificate from an ANAB-approved program, and Always Food Safe’s Food Protection Manager exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
How long do I have to get certified?
New food facilities have 90 days to comply. A facility that loses its certified employee due to turnover has three months to comply.
Can I use this certificate in Philadelphia?
Yes. Always Food Safe is on the Philadelphia Health Department’s list of approved food safety training providers. After you pass, submit your certificate for verification and apply for the City of Philadelphia Food Safety Personnel Certificate, which has a $30 city fee.
Is this certificate accepted in Allegheny County?
Yes. The Allegheny County Health Department recognizes any ANSI-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager certificate and lists Always Food Safe’s program. A certified manager must be on site during all hours of operation.
Can I take the Pennsylvania 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. Renewal requires passing an accredited certification exam again.
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 Pennsylvania’s ANAB-approved program requirement.
Start Your Pennsylvania Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale