ANAB accredited · Meets SC Reg. 61-25
South Carolina 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. Meet the South Carolina Regulation 61-25 requirement for a certified food protection manager.
- 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 South Carolina?
South Carolina’s Retail Food Establishments regulation, Regulation 61-25, requires a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) at most food establishments. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture administers retail food safety.
Reg. 61-25 § 2-102.12(A) & 2-102.20
The CFPM Requirement
- At least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility, authority over food preparation and service, the ability to enforce employee health policies and a frequent presence at the facility must be a CFPM.
- Only Conference for Food Protection, ANSI-accredited Food Protection Manager courses meet the rule.
- Always Food Safe is on the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s list of accredited CFPM programs.
Sources: Regulation 61-25 · SCDA CFPM fact sheet
Reg. 61-25 § 2-102.12(B) & (C)
The Person in Charge Rule
- At all times during operation, the person in charge must have a food handler certificate or be a CFPM.
- Certifying your shift leads as CFPMs covers both rules with one credential.
- The CFPM rule does not apply to certain establishments the state deems minimal risk. Temporary food service establishments are exempt from the person-in-charge training rule.
Sources: SCDA food handler fact sheet · Reg. 61-25 exemptions
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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®.
South Carolina Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge South Carolina 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.
South Carolina Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in South Carolina?
Yes, at most establishments. Regulation 61-25 requires at least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility, who is frequently present at the facility, to be a certified food protection manager.
Who regulates retail food establishments in South Carolina?
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture administers retail food safety and Regulation 61-25 for retail food establishments.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina accepts Conference for Food Protection, ANSI-accredited Food Protection Manager programs, and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture lists Always Food Safe among accredited CFPM programs.
Does the person in charge need certification on every shift?
Yes. At all times during operation, the person in charge must have a food handler certificate or be a certified food protection manager. Certifying shift leads as CFPMs meets that rule as well.
Can a food handler certificate replace the food manager certification?
No. A food handler certificate can satisfy the person-in-charge rule, but the establishment still needs at least one certified food protection manager.
Are any South Carolina establishments exempt?
The CFPM rule does not apply to certain establishments the state deems minimal risk based on the nature of the operation and the extent of food preparation. Temporary food service establishments are exempt from the person-in-charge training requirement. Check with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture if you are unsure.
Can I take the South Carolina 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 the Always Food Safe and ServSafe food manager programs are ANSI accredited under Conference for Food Protection standards, and both appear on South Carolina’s list of accredited CFPM programs.
Start Your South Carolina Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale