ANAB accredited · Remote proctored exam
South Dakota 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. South Dakota requires a certified food service manager as the person in charge. Confirm with the SD Department of Health that this program is approved for your establishment.
- 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 Dakota?
South Dakota’s Food Service Code (ARSD 44:02:07) requires a certified food service manager at food service and mobile food service establishments. The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) licenses and inspects them.
ARSD 44:02:07:03 — Person in charge
The Certified Manager Requirement
- A person in charge must be designated for each work shift, and at least one person in charge in each establishment must be a certified food service manager.
- New establishments must have a certified manager as the person in charge before opening.
- After a change of ownership, or when a certified manager leaves, you have a 90-day grace period.
- Temporary food service establishments are exempt.
Sources: ARSD 44:02:07:03 · SD Department of Health
ARSD 44:02:07:98 — Approved courses
Course Approval and Recertification
- Certification requires at least eight hours of instruction and a passing test from an approved course equivalent to the ServSafe standard named in the rule.
- DOH may approve other certification courses when course documentation is provided. Confirm approval with DOH before enrolling, since Always Food Safe does not appear on DOH’s current list of training options.
- South Dakota requires recertification every four years, even though the Always Food Safe certificate is valid for five.
Sources: ARSD 44:02:07:98 · DOH Food Service Manager Training
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 South Dakota 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 Dakota 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 keep at your establishment and show your DOH 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 Dakota Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge South Dakota 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.
South Dakota Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in South Dakota?
Yes. ARSD 44:02:07:03 requires at least one person in charge in each food service establishment to be a certified food service manager. A person in charge must be designated for each work shift.
When does a new establishment need a certified manager?
Before opening. All new food service and mobile food service establishments must have a certified food service manager as the person in charge prior to opening.
What if my certified manager leaves or the business changes owners?
South Dakota gives a 90-day grace period to obtain another certified food service manager when one leaves, and a 90-day grace period after a change of ownership.
Which establishments are exempt?
Temporary food service establishments are exempt from the food service manager certification requirement.
Is the Always Food Safe certification approved in South Dakota?
South Dakota requires an approved course with at least eight hours of instruction and a certifying test. DOH may approve other courses when documentation is provided. Always Food Safe does not currently appear on the DOH list of training options, so confirm approval with the South Dakota Department of Health before enrolling.
How often do South Dakota managers recertify?
South Dakota requires food service managers to recertify every four years. Plan your renewal on the state’s four-year schedule, even though the Always Food Safe certificate is valid for five years.
Who enforces the requirement?
The South Dakota Department of Health licenses and inspects food service establishments. Its license application asks for the establishment’s certified food manager, certification ID and expiration date.
Can I take the South Dakota 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.
Is the exam nationally accredited?
Yes. The Always Food Safe Food Protection Manager exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under Conference for Food Protection standards.
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.
Start Your South Dakota Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale