Get or Renew Your Food Manager Certification

A food manager certification — officially called the Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification — proves that a food service manager has the knowledge to oversee safe food handling practices. Most states require at least one certified food manager per establishment. It’s earned by passing an ANSI-National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accredited exam under the Conference for Food Protection (CFP) standards. The certification is commonly required for restaurant managers, kitchen managers, chefs, and anyone designated as the person in charge.

The FoodSafePal food manager certification exam costs $99, with a free retake included. You can add complete training for $159 total, or purchase training alone for $125. Online proctoring is included in the exam price — there are no testing center fees, proctoring fees, or hidden costs.

No. There are no prerequisites to sit for the food manager certification exam in most cases — you can purchase and take the exam directly without completing training first. However, some states require training in addition to passing the exam.

That said, even where training isn’t mandatory, most people choose to train first to feel confident and prepared. FoodSafePal offers training, the exam, or both — and if you don’t pass, you get a free retake.

Yes. The FoodSafePal food manager exam is taken 100% online with remote proctoring — no testing center visit required. You’ll need a computer with a webcam, a stable internet connection, and a government-issued photo ID. The exam is available on demand, and you’re certified the moment you pass.

FoodSafePal’s food manager certification is equivalent to ServSafe — both are ANAB-CFP accredited to the same national standard and 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.

A food handler card is entry-level training for front-line food workers, while a food manager certification (CFPM) is an advanced, exam-based credential for the person in charge of food safety at an establishment. Many states require food workers to hold a handler card and at least one certified food manager per establishment. If you supervise food preparation or are the person in charge, you need the manager certification. FoodSafePal offers both — get your food handler card here.

Yes. FoodSafePal is ANAB-CFP Accredited (ANAB ID #9176) — the same national standard required by health departments and employers across the country. Your certification will be recognized wherever an accredited food manager certification is required.

Employers and health inspectors can confirm any FoodSafePal certification instantly in our official registry — enter the certificate number and last name to see whether it’s valid, expired, or revoked: Verify a certification →

The exam has 70 questions — 60 scored questions and 10 unscored questions used for research purposes — with a 90-minute time limit. Your score is based on the 60 scored questions only. 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.

About 8 in 10 FoodSafePal candidates pass the food manager certification exam. It’s a rigorous, proctored exam, but with preparation most people pass on their first attempt — and every exam purchase includes a free retake if you don’t.

The food manager exam covers seven content areas based on the FDA Food Code: employee hygiene, time and temperature control, cross-contamination and allergens, food flow, active managerial control, physical facilities, and cleaning and sanitizing. Here’s the full breakdown of the 60 scored questions:

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.

Your food manager certification is valid for five years from the date you pass the exam. Renewal requires passing the exam again — no additional training required in most states.

Every FoodSafePal credential is recorded in our official public registry. An employer, health department, or inspector can enter the certificate number and the holder’s last name at foodsafepal.com/verify to instantly confirm whether a certification is valid, expired, or revoked — no phone call or email needed.

Your certification number is printed on your certificate and is also available anytime under “My Dashboard” → “My Certificates.”

The FoodSafePal training and exam are currently available in English. A Spanish version is in development — check back for updates.

FoodSafePal maintains an Examinee Information Bulletin that covers exam procedures, scoring, appeals, accommodations, and candidate rights. View the Examinee Information Bulletin.