Food Safety Manager Certification Examination

Issue Date: March 8, 2025 | Current Revision: October 16, 2026

Introduction & Background

Why Is It Important to Take This Exam?

As a food safety manager, you help keep people safe from foodborne illnesses. This exam checks your understanding of food safety and helps protect public health.

What Does FoodSafePal Do?

FoodSafePal created the Food Manager Certification Program to test the knowledge and skills of food managers. Those who pass the exam and meet all requirements will receive a certificate valid for up to five years.

What Can FoodSafePal Do for Me?

Those who pass will receive a digital certificate, with the option to order a printed copy. Those who do not pass may contact FoodSafePal at help@foodsafepal.com for information on their general areas of deficiency to help prepare for a retake. FoodSafePal maintains certification records and verifies certification for employers and health departments at foodsafepal.com/verify or upon request.

About the Exam

  • Basis for the Exam: Based on an analysis of food safety tasks, referenced to the current FDA Food Code and its supplements.
  • Exam Content Areas: Covers seven core areas of food safety. See the Exam Blueprint section for details.
  • Exam Format: 70 multiple-choice questions, including 10 unscored questions that do not affect your score.
  • Exam Time Limit: Up to 90 minutes to complete.
  • Passing Score: Depends on which exam form you receive.
  • Certification Validity: Valid for up to five years. Check with your local health department for jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Eligibility & Application

Anyone may take the FoodSafePal Certified Food Manager Exam. While prior food safety training or experience is recommended, it is not required. You must agree to the Examinee Consent Form before the exam begins.

FoodSafePal does not discriminate against exam candidates on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

Testing Environment Requirements

FoodSafePal’s exam is administered exclusively online through remote proctoring. Your testing environment must meet all of the following requirements before your session will be permitted to begin.

Valid Government-Issued Photo ID Required

You must present a valid, government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport) for identity verification before beginning the exam.

Private, Secure Environment Required

You must take the exam in a quiet, private space where you will not be interrupted. No one else is permitted in the room during the exam session. This includes people visible in the background. Testing in an open office, common area, or any space where others are present — even if they are not interacting with you — does not meet this requirement and may result in session termination.

No Personal Belongings or Unauthorized Materials

Phones, papers, books, notes, headphones, second monitors, smartwatches, or other electronic devices are not allowed. Only your testing device and ID should be in your workspace.

Workspace and Comfort

Your workspace must include a desk or table and a chair. The room should be adequately lit, ventilated, and free of distractions to allow you to perform at your best.

Internet and System Requirements

A reliable, high-speed internet connection is required for uninterrupted testing and video monitoring. The exam is delivered with Honorlock remote proctoring. Before your session, make sure your device meets the system requirements by running the system check at https://prep.honorlock.com/assessment/system-check using the same device and internet connection you will use for your exam.

Accommodations

FoodSafePal follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides reasonable accommodations for examinees with disabilities, at no charge. Accommodations must not change what the exam measures.

To request an accommodation, email help@foodsafepal.com and describe the adjustment you need. Documentation from a qualified professional may be requested. FoodSafePal provides a decision within ten (10) business days of receiving a complete request, including any requested documentation.

Please request as early as possible — ideally 30 days before your exam — especially if your accommodation involves an assistant, such as a reader or interpreter, since assistants require pre-approval. Approved accommodations apply to attempts taken after approval. If your request is denied, you may appeal under the Appeals & Discrepancy Reporting section.

Taking the Exam

Before your exam. Run the Honorlock system check at https://prep.honorlock.com/assessment/system-check on the device and internet connection you will use.

  • Read all instructions carefully before beginning.
  • Answer ALL questions — there is no penalty for guessing.
  • Only answers marked will be scored.
  • No talking, electronic devices, or outside materials are allowed during the exam.
  • Violations may result in removal from the exam and invalidation of your score.

Scores & Results

  • Scores are processed immediately after you submit the exam or when the exam time expires.
  • Certification is not official until FoodSafePal issues your certificate.
  • If you fail, you may contact FoodSafePal at help@foodsafepal.com for information on your general areas of deficiency.
  • Rescoring: see Appeals & Discrepancy Reporting.

Retaking the Exam

Examinees who do not pass may retake the exam. Your purchase includes two attempts; if needed, you may purchase a retake, which includes two more. A minimum 24-hour waiting period applies between all attempts.

The exam has three versions, and each attempt uses a different one. If a fourth attempt is needed, a version will repeat, and at least 30 days must have passed since you last took that version. No more than four attempts are permitted in any 12-month period.

Indeterminate Scores

FoodSafePal ensures that all reported scores are valid. In some cases, scores may be classified as indeterminate due to testing irregularities, faulty exam materials, or examinee behavior. Indeterminate scores will not be reported or verified.

If your score is classified as indeterminate, you will be notified within seven business days and given options to retake the exam. If a score that was previously reported is later deemed indeterminate, you will be informed of the change.

Recertification

The only method for recertification is to retake and pass the exam. Certification is valid for up to five years. Some regulations may require recertification sooner than five years — check with your local health department for jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Complaints, Appeals & Discrepancy Reporting

Send all complaints, discrepancy reports, rescore requests, and appeals in writing to help@foodsafepal.com.

Complaints. Anyone — a candidate, a certificate holder, an employer, a regulatory authority, or a member of the public — may file a complaint about any FoodSafePal policy or procedure, the exam process, a failure to receive a response, or the conduct of a FoodSafePal-certified individual. Include your name, contact information, a description of the concern, and any supporting documentation. Complaints must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the incident. The Program Administrator acknowledges each complaint, investigates it, and issues a written decision within 10 business days. If more time is needed, you will be notified of the revised timeline. Complaints about the conduct of a certified individual are reviewed under the Disciplinary Policy. If you disagree with the decision on your complaint, you may appeal it as described below.

Exam disruptions. If you experience a disruption during your exam — such as technical issues or environmental concerns — notify FoodSafePal within seven calendar days. Reported disruptions are investigated and may result in a retake opportunity (see Indeterminate Scores).

Rescores. If you fail the exam, you may request a rescore within 30 calendar days of receiving your score.

Appeals. If you believe any decision related to the certification program — including a certification decision, rescore result, accommodation decision, disciplinary action, or complaint decision — was made in error or unfairly, you may appeal within 15 calendar days of receiving the decision. Include your full name, exam date (if applicable), a description of the issue, and any supporting documentation. Appeals are decided by an independent subject matter expert from FoodSafePal’s certificate program advisory board who is not involved in day-to-day operations and had no part in the original decision. You will receive the appeal decision in writing within 10 business days. Appeal decisions are final.

Disciplinary Policy

All examinees and certificate holders must follow FoodSafePal’s exam rules and certification policies to earn and maintain certification. Violations include, but are not limited to:

  • Cheating on the exam, including receiving or giving assistance, using unauthorized materials or devices, or having another person take the exam
  • Providing false information about your identity, government-issued ID, eligibility, or exam session, or misrepresenting your certification status, expiration date, or standing
  • Copying, recording, photographing, sharing, or distributing exam questions, answers, or other exam materials
  • Copying, altering, or falsifying a FoodSafePal certificate or wallet card, or using one that belongs to someone else
  • A conviction, regulatory finding, or enforcement action for a food safety or public health violation

Suspected violations should be reported in writing to help@foodsafepal.com. FoodSafePal investigates reports, notifies the individual of the allegation, and gives them an opportunity to respond before a decision is made. Violations may result in denial, suspension, or revocation of certification. If certification is denied or revoked, the individual must wait at least three years before reapplying. If a violation poses an immediate public health risk, FoodSafePal may act more quickly. Disciplinary decisions may be appealed under the Complaints, Appeals & Discrepancy Reporting section. individual must wait at least three years before reapplying. If a violation poses an immediate public health risk, FoodSafePal may act more quickly.

Certification Trademarks & Use of Your Certification

After passing the exam, your certification will be recorded in FoodSafePal’s database.

As a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) in good standing, you may:

  • Display your official certificate
  • State that you are a “Certified Food Protection Manager”
  • Use the certification marks on business cards and letterhead

Written approval is required for any use of FoodSafePal trademarks in advertising or promotional materials. Copying, altering, or misusing certificates or wallet cards is prohibited and may result in certification revocation. You can purchase a physical copy of your certificate.

Reporting Security Breaches

FoodSafePal is committed to maintaining exam integrity. If you suspect cheating or an exam security violation, report it immediately to FoodSafePal at help@foodsafepal.com.

Exam Blueprint

The exam contains 70 multiple-choice questions. Sixty questions are scored across seven core content areas, shown below. The remaining 10 questions are unscored and do not affect your result. Unscored questions are not identified, so answer every question as if it counts.

  • Ensuring Good Employee Hygiene — 8 questions
  • Controlling Time and Temperature — 12 questions
  • Preventing Cross-Contamination and Cross-Contact — 7 questions
  • Monitoring Food Flow — 7 questions
  • Active Managerial Controls — 7 questions
  • Maintaining the Physical Facilities — 12 questions
  • Ensuring Proper Cleaning and Sanitizing — 7 questions

Questions? Contact FoodSafePal at help@foodsafepal.com or (800) 426-1344, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM CST.