Resources
Straight answers about food safety certification.
Guides written from the exams we actually proctor, plus free exam prep. Everything here is free and you don't need to book with us to use it.
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Food Manager Certification
How the ANAB-accredited Food Protection Manager credential works, what the exam covers, and what it costs.
2 articles
Food Handler Certification
Food handler cards: who needs one, what the training covers, and how it differs from the manager credential.
1 article
Virginia Requirements
What Virginia's food regulations say about certified food protection managers, with links to the official text.
0 articles
Restaurant Resources
Practical operations material: staffing certified managers, inspection prep, and certifying a whole crew.
0 articles
Exam Preparation
Study material, exam-day tech requirements, and what to do if you do not pass the first time.
0 articles
Latest guides
Food Handler Certification
Food Manager vs Food Handler: Which One Do You Need?
Two different credentials that people mix up constantly. Here is the difference in scope, time, cost and who each one is for.
August 13, 2026
Food Manager Certification
Can I Take a Food Manager Exam Online?
Yes — with a live proctor. What online proctoring involves, what equipment you need, and where the acceptance question actually sits.
August 13, 2026
Food Manager Certification
What Is a Certified Food Protection Manager?
The credential your health inspector is usually asking about: what it proves, who needs it, and how the accredited exam works.
August 13, 2026
Study checklist: the six areas worth your time
Area 1
Time and temperature control
Cooking, cooling, reheating and holding temperatures, and the danger zone. Expect the most questions here — know the numbers cold rather than roughly.
Area 2
Personal hygiene and employee health
Handwashing, glove use, bare-hand contact, and when a sick employee must be excluded or restricted. Know the reportable illnesses.
Area 3
Cross-contamination and allergens
Storage order, separate prep, cleaning between tasks, and the major food allergens plus how to respond to a customer question.
Area 4
Cleaning and sanitizing
The difference between clean and sanitized, correct sanitizer concentrations and contact times, and three-compartment sink order.
Area 5
Receiving, storage and flow of food
Rejecting a delivery, date marking, FIFO, and where each product belongs once it's through the door.
Area 6
Facilities, pests and HACCP basics
Water, plumbing and waste basics, pest control practices, and identifying critical control points in your own menu.
Exam-day checklist
Nothing here is a surprise on the day if you sort it the night before.
- A laptop or desktop with a working webcam and microphone
- A government-issued photo ID matching the name you register with
- A quiet, private room with a clear desk — no notes, phones or second screens
- A stable internet connection (test it on the same device you'll use)
- Roughly 90 minutes with no interruptions, plus a few minutes for check-in
Not sure your setup will hold up? Call or text 948-230-6077 before you book and we'll talk through it — a five-minute check beats a failed attempt.
Official sources
We'd rather you check the rules yourself than take our word for it. These are the primary sources behind everything on this site.
- FDA Food Code
The model code most states adopt. If you want the source of an answer, it's in here.
- ANAB accredited certificate programs
Look up which food protection manager programs hold current accreditation — including the one we proctor.
- Conference for Food Protection
The body behind the standard that manager certification exams are accredited against.
- Always Food Safe
The certification provider whose exams we proctor — course content and certificate lookup live there.
Next steps on this site
Need the accredited manager credential? Food Manager certification. Certifying a crew? Food Handler certification or group certification. Comparing providers? ServSafe alternative. Still have questions? FAQ.
Register
Register for my exam.
Send your name, email, and phone and we email your course access and personal exam link, usually within a couple of hours. Nothing to schedule — open the exam when you're ready.
- Remotely proctored exam, English or Spanish
- ANAB-accredited certification exam
- $149 per person, one free retake
- Instant result on screen when you finish