Ohio Food Manager Certification

Training, exam, and certification — all in one place

FoodSafePal Food Manager Certification Certificate

How to Earn Your Ohio Food Manager Certification

1. Complete the Training

Take this state-approved Ohio Food Protection Manager Training online course — finish in just around five hours at your own pace.

2. Pass the Exam

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

3. Submit the Application

Complete the Ohio Department of Health Manager Certification Application and mail it, along with both your training certificate and exam certificate, to the Ohio Department of Health.

4. Receive Official Certification

Once your paperwork is reviewed, the Ohio Department of Health will send you your official Ohio Manager Certification in Food Protection certificate.

Choose Your Path to Ohio Food Manager Certification


Ohio requires both training and exam. Get one or both here.

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 Ohio 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

Ohio Food Manager Certification — Common Questions

Ohio’s food code requires there to be at least one certified food manager present 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 minimally handled food are generally exempt.

In Ohio, food safety certification is divided into two levels:

1. Person-in-Charge (PIC) Certification (Formerly “Level One”): Required for someone on duty each shift at most food establishments, including Risk Level I–IV facilities, unless a manager is certified. FoodSafePal’s Ohio PIC training covers basic food safety (handwashing, temperature control, cleaning). Learn more about FoodSafePal’s Ohio-approved Person-in-Charge Certification.

2. Manager Certification (Formerly “Level Two”): Required for at least one person at every Risk Level III and IV facility, such as restaurants, schools, hospitals, and caterers. This course goes deeper into food protection and staff training. To earn it, you must complete an Ohio Department of Health–approved course, like FoodSafePal’s, and pass an ANAB-CFP accredited exam, which FoodSafePal also offers.

Yes — Ohio requires you to complete an Ohio Department of Health–approved training course before your certification can be issued. While accreditation standards allow you to purchase and take the exam without completing training first, you will need both a training certificate and an exam certificate to submit your application to the Ohio Department of Health. If you need both, the Training + Exam bundle is the most straightforward path.

Yes. FoodSafePal’s food manager training and exam are both approved by the Ohio Department of Health — the same standard required by health departments and employers across the state. Your certification will be accepted statewide.

Longer than most states — because Ohio requires you to mail a physical application to the Ohio Department of Health, the timeline depends on their processing time, which is outside our control.

Here’s what you can expect: training takes around five hours at your own pace, and the exam is 70 questions with 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.

Once you’ve completed both, you’ll submit your application along with your training and exam certificates to the Ohio Department of Health. Processing times vary, so plan accordingly if you have a deadline.

Your training and exam certificates are issued instantly — the wait is entirely on the state’s end.

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 both offer Ohio Department of Health–approved training and the ANAB-CFP accredited food manager exam, which means they meet the exact same state and national standards. The certification you earn through FoodSafePal is accepted by the same health departments and employers across Ohio — with a simpler process and a clearer path to getting certified.

The Ohio Manager Certification in Food Protection is valid for five years. Renewal requires completing the state-approved training and passing the exam again — both of which you can do completely online through FoodSafePal.

Ready to Get Certified?

Earn Your Official Ohio Food Manager Certification