ANAB accredited · Valid statewide in Texas
Texas 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 Texas Food Establishment Rules requirement for a certified food 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 Texas?
Texas requires food establishments to have a Certified Food Manager (CFM). Texas DSHS accepts certificates from ANSI-CFP accredited exams such as Always Food Safe’s.
Statewide — Texas DSHS
Texas Food Establishment Rules (25 TAC Chapter 228)
- At least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility and authority over food preparation and service must be a certified food protection manager.
- Certification is earned by passing a DSHS-approved or ANSI-CFP accredited food manager exam.
- Certification is valid for five years.
- The original certificate must be posted where customers can see it.
- County, district and city health departments must accept certificates from DSHS-approved exams.
Sources: Texas DSHS CFM FAQ · DSHS CFM program
Local rules can be stricter
City & County Requirements
- A city can pass an ordinance requiring a certified food manager on site at all times.
- Counties with 4 million or more residents may require a certified or trained food manager on duty during operating hours.
- Houston: food personnel holding a national or State of Texas certificate must also obtain the City of Houston Food Service Manager’s Certification.
- Check with your local health department for any added registration or fee.
Sources: Texas DSHS · Houston Permitting Center
How to Get Certified in 4 Steps
- 1
Enroll online
Purchase the $179.95 Texas 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 Texas 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®.
Texas Food Manager Course Topics
The course covers the knowledge Texas 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.
Texas Food Manager Certification FAQs
Is food manager certification required in Texas?
Yes. Under the Texas Food Establishment Rules, at least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility and authority over food preparation and service must be a certified food protection manager.
Is the Always Food Safe certification accepted in Texas?
Yes. Texas DSHS states that food manager certification is obtained by passing a DSHS-approved or ANSI-CFP accredited exam. Always Food Safe’s Food Protection Manager exam is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) under Conference for Food Protection standards.
Can I take the Texas 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 a Texas food manager certificate valid?
Texas food manager certification is valid for five years. After that, you recertify by passing an approved food manager exam again.
Do I have to post my food manager certificate?
Yes. Texas requires the original food manager certificate to be posted in the food establishment in a location that is conspicuous to consumers.
Do I need a separate certificate in Houston?
Yes. The City of Houston requires food personnel who hold a national or State of Texas food safety certificate to also obtain the City of Houston Food Service Manager’s Certification. Other cities may have their own local rules, so check with your local health department.
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 the same as a Texas food handler card?
No. This is the Certified Food Manager (CFM) certification for managers and persons in charge. Other food employees need a separate accredited Texas food handler course.
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 the Texas ANSI-CFP accredited exam option.
Start Your Texas Food Manager Certification Today
Course, remote-proctored exam, second attempt and 5-year certificate — one price.
Questions? Contact Food Manager USA · Terms of sale