Earn Your Food Manager Certification

The simplest way to train, test, and certify online

Train at your pace, take your accredited exam online, and receive your certification immediately when you pass. No testing center. No scheduling headaches.

ANAB–CFP Accredited Food Manager Certification (ID #9176)

FoodSafePal Food Manager Certification Certificate

Trusted by the biggest brands

How to Earn Your Food Manager Certification

1. Enroll

Select your state, choose training, exam, or both, and checkout in a few clicks — quick and secure.

2. Train, Test, or Both — All Online

Complete your training at your own pace, take your proctored exam online, or both — no scheduling hassles, no testing center required.

3. Get Certified

Pass your exam and your food manager certification is issued instantly. Download, print, or email it on the spot.

Choose Your Path to 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 you need to study, 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

Food Manager Certification — Common Questions

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.

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.

FoodSafePal and ServSafe are both ANAB-CFP 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.

Yes. FoodSafePal is ANAB-CFP Accredited — 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.

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.

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.

The exam contains 60 scored items and 10 additional unscored items used for research purposes, for a total of 70 questions. Scores are based on the 60 scored items only.

Content area	Items
Ensuring good employee hygiene	8
Establish clear hygiene policies	2
Train employees on proper handwashing techniques	2
Monitor employee behaviors and practices	2
Establish procedures for reporting employee illness symptoms and implement policy	1
Train employees on single-use gloves	1
Controlling time and temperature	12
Monitor time and temperature for cold holding	2
Monitor time and temperature for hot holding	2
Monitor time and temperature for cooling	2
Monitor time and temperature for thawing	2
Monitor time and temperature for reheating	1
Train employees on correct use and calibration of food thermometers	1
Implement time as a public health control	1
Implement a date-marking of foods policy	1
Preventing cross-contamination and cross-contact	7
Establish controls for biological hazards	2
Establish controls for physical hazards	1
Establish controls for chemical hazards	1
Establish controls for major food allergens	2
Establish controls for intentional food contamination	1
Monitoring food flow	7
Ensure safe food purchases	1
Ensure safe receiving of foods	1
Develop protocols for proper labeling and storage of food items (FIFO)	2
Establish and manage food preparation policies and procedures	2
Ensure safe food service, including self-service	1
Active managerial controls	7
Establish a food safety culture	2
Create policies to address hazards	1
Control hazards through proper training	1
Monitor to ensure policies and training are effective	1
Ensure regulatory compliance	2
Maintaining the physical facilities	12
Manage food equipment and surface design and maintenance	1
Ensure safe facility design	1
Maintain handwashing sinks and restrooms	2
Maintain adequate ventilation	1
Maintain adequate lighting	1
Ensure water supply remains potable	1
Ensure proper liquid waste disposal	2
Ensure proper trash disposal	2
Address animals in the establishment	1
Ensuring proper cleaning and sanitizing	7
Prevent and control pests	1
Develop and implement cleaning and sanitizing procedures	2
Ensure safe use and storage of chemicals, including poisonous or toxic chemicals	2
Ensure proper and safe storage of dishes and utensils	1
Ensure proper and safe warewashing	1
Total	60

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.

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

Where can I find full exam policies and candidate information?

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

Earn Your Food Manager Certification

The simplest way to train, test, and certify online