Minnesota Food Manager Certification

Training, exam, and certification — all in one place

  • Minnesota-Approved. ANAB–CFP Accredited.
FoodSafePal Food Manager Certification Certificate

How to Earn Your Minnesota Food Manager Certification

1. Complete the Training

Take this state-approved food manager certification training — finish in around five hours at your own pace.

2. Pass the Exam

Take and pass this approved online proctored exam from any quiet, private location to demonstrate your food safety knowledge.

3. Submit the Application

Complete the Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) application online. As part of this step, you’ll need to upload a copy of your FoodSafePal Food Manager Certification certificate.

4. Receive Official Minnesota Certification

Once your application is reviewed and approved, the Minnesota Department of Health will mail you your official Minnesota CFPM certificate.

Minnesota Food Manager Certification Explained

To become a certified food manager in Minnesota, you must pass an ANAB-CFP accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) exam. This short video explains who needs the certification, the steps to get certified, and how you can complete the process entirely online with FoodSafePal.

Choose Your Path to Minnesota Food Manager Certification

Training, exam, or both. Find the right fit.

FoodSafePal – Choose Your Path

Study First

Training Only

Best if you want to study before you commit to the exam.

$125

Instant access

  • Full training covering every exam topic
  • Self-paced study — revisit any section, any time
  • 75-question practice exam with answer reveal
  • Live online proctor included — no extra fee
  • Official ANAB-CFP-accredited certification instantly upon passing
  • 2 attempts included — most people pass on their first try
Start Studying
⭐ Most Popular — Best Value

Recommended

Training + Exam

Everything Minnesota requires to train, test, and get certified in one go.

$159 $224 Save 29%

Instant access

  • Full training covering every exam topic
  • Self-paced — revisit any section, any time
  • 75-question practice exam with answer reveal
  • Live online proctor included — no extra fee
  • Official ANAB-CFP-accredited certification instantly upon passing
  • 2 attempts included — most people pass on their first try
Train & Certify Now

Already Prepared

Exam Only

For experienced managers who are ready to test and get certified now.

$99

Instant access

  • Full training covering every exam topic
  • Self-paced study — revisit any section, any time
  • 75-question practice exam with answer reveal
  • Live online proctor included — no extra fee
  • Official ANAB-CFP-accredited certification instantly upon passing
  • 2 attempts included — most people pass on their first try
Take the Exam

Minnesota Food Manager Certification — Common Questions

Minnesota’s food code requires there to be at least one certified food manager on-site during all hours of operation at most food service establishments — specifically those that handle and cook raw meat, poultry, or seafood. This includes restaurants, diners, cafes, food trucks, catering companies, delis, school cafeterias, hospital cafeterias, nursing home kitchens, assisted living facility kitchens, correctional facility kitchens, military base dining facilities, and any operation that cooks, cools, or reheats food.

Higher-complexity operations like sushi restaurants, establishments that cure or smoke meats in-house, or those using specialized cooking techniques like sous vide are also required to have a certified manager on-site at all times.

If you own multiple permitted departments within the same building — such as a grocery store with a deli, bakery, and hot food counter — one certified manager can cover all departments.

Coffee shops, convenience stores, and establishments that only serve pre-packaged or non-potentially hazardous food are generally exempt.

No. There are no prerequisites to sit for the accredited food manager certification exam itself. You can choose to take the exam without training.

However, in Minnesota, completing an approved food manager training course like FoodSafePal’s is required to obtain your state Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification. So even if you pass the exam, you’ll still need to complete an approved training program to meet state requirements.

Yes. FoodSafePal’s food manager exam is ANAB-CFP accredited — the same national standard recognized by health departments and employers across Minnesota. Your certification will be accepted statewide.

The exam has 70 questions and a 90-minute time limit. The passing score ranges from 68–72% depending on which exam form you receive — each form uses a slightly different set of questions, so the passing score is adjusted to keep the standard consistent across all forms.

Every exam purchase includes one free retake. If you don’t pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam at no additional cost.

FoodSafePal and ServSafe are both ANAB-CFPM Accredited, which means they meet the exact same national standard and are accepted by the same health departments and employers. The certification you earn through FoodSafePal carries the same weight — with a simpler process and a clearer path to getting certified.

Minnesota food manager certification is valid for three years from the date you pass the exam. To renew, you must complete at least four hours of approved continuing education and submit a renewal application before it expires. You only need to retake the exam if you do not complete the required continuing education within that three-year period.

Ready to Get Certified?

Earn Your Official Minnesota Food Manager Certification