ServSafe Manager Certification

What is the ServSafe Manager Exam?

The ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager Exam is a certification exam developed by the National Restaurant Association and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Conference for Food Protection (CFP).

Many States across the U.S. require the Person in Charge (PIC) of a food establishment to be a Certified Food Protection Manager by passing an ANSI-CFP accredited exam, such as ServSafe.

Why Choose ServSafe?

The ServSafe brand is the industry’s gold standard. It offers foodservice managers food safety training tools and resources necessary to succeed in their role as a Certified Food Protection Manager.

Premier Food Safety partners with ServSafe to offer flexible training and certification solutions to meet the needs of Food Managers nationwide.

How to Prepare for the ServSafe Manager Exam?

Although not required in all states, completing a training program prior to taking the ServSafe Manager Exam is highly advisable, as this can improve your chances of obtaining a passing score. Multiple training options are available to accommodate even the busiest schedules.

ServSafe Instructor-Led Class and Exam Option

Register and attend an in-person class with an Approved ServSafe Instructor

ServSafe Online Self-Study and Exam Option

Purchase Premier Food Safety’s self-paced online ServSafe Food Manager course and complete your training from home. Schedule the ServSafe Exam Online with a live proctor.

ServSafe Books and Supplementary Materials

Order the latest Edition of the ServSafe Manager book from our store and study from home at your own pace. Additional learning materials are available to students seeking additional training.

How Can I Take the ServSafe Exam?

The ServSafe Exam is available in both print and online format. Both versions are ANSI-CFP approved and accepted nationwide.

You must ensure that your exam is administered by a registered ServSafe proctor.

  • The In-Person paper-based version of the ServSafe exam is proctored at one of our class locations. To take this version, you must register for a class and/or exam, and attend in person.
  • The Online version of the ServSafe Exam is proctored remotely by a live proctor via ProctorU. The exam is taken from home and scheduled for any date of your convenience. Please note that your computer must meet certain minimum system requirements, and you must have access to a quiet, private room to take the exam.

How To Get Certified as a ServSafe Food Protection Manager?

STEP 1: VERIFY CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Contact your local regulatory authority and your employer to verify training and certification requirements applicable to you. Some jurisdictions have training and testing requirements, while others only require you to pass the Certified Food Protection test. Some States, cities, or counties may also require you to fill out an application and pay a fee to register your ServSafe Certificate and obtain State-issued certificate.

Keep in mind that, although there are several ANSI-CFP approved Food Manager exams, many employers require that you become certified by passing the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Exam.

STEP 2: CHOOSE A TRAINING PROGRAM

Training is not mandatory in most states. However, it is highly recommended as it will improve your knowledge of food safety concepts and practices, and increase your chances of passing the ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager exam.

Training can be completed in person by attending a class with a ServSafe Certified Instructor, or online through a self-paced training course.

For your convenience, Premier Food Safety offers different packages that include both training and exam options to meet your needs.

STEP 3: SCHEDULE AN EXAM

The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Exam is available in both paper and online format. Both options are equivalent and accepted nationwide. However, please verify with your local regulatory authority and employer before selecting a testing option.

If you choose one of our in-person training options, the exam will be scheduled at the time you register for the class and will be proctored at the end of the training session.

The Online Exam option requires you to create an account with ServSafe and ProctorU prior to scheduling the exam.

STEP 4 – PURCHASE ADDITIONAL TRAINING MATERIALS

Additional learning resources are available for purchase to those who would like to receive extra preparation prior to the training and/or exam.

STEP 5 – ATTEND YOUR CLASS OR COMPLETE ONLINE COURSE

Attend your in-person class on the scheduled date, or complete the online self-paced Food Manager course.

Please note that some States, such as Illinois, have a mandatory training requirement that requires you to complete additional steps. For more information about training requirements in Illinois, click here.

STEP 6 – TAKE THE SERVSAFE CERTIFICATION EXAM

Take the ServSafe Exam on your scheduled date.

If you are attending one of our in-person classes, the exam will be proctored right after class.

If you scheduled the online version of the ServSafe Exam with ProctorU, you will connect with a live proctor on the day of the exam and take it from your computer.

Before the exam can begin, the proctor will ask you to move your webcam or laptop around to verify that the environment meets all exam security protocols. The proctor will also request access to your computer to close and disable any programs, files, or apps not related to the examination process.

IMPORTANT: A few days prior to your scheduled online ServSafe Exam, follow the steps to verify that your computer meets all the minimum system requirements. Click here for a quick system check.

STEP 7 – RECEIVE YOUR CERTIFICATE
  • If you registered for the in-person, paper-based version of the exam, you will receive your results and ServSafe Certificate via email within 3 to 4 weeks from the date you took the exam.
  • If you take the online version of the exam, you will receive your score and your ServSafe certificate will be emailed to you the same day.

ServSafe Exam Certification FAQs

The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification is valid for 5 years. However, some local regulatory authorities may have different requirements and require you to renew after a shorter term.
There are 80 questions on the exam.
You will need a minimum score of 70% to pass the ServSafe Exam.
No. The ServSafe Exam may only be proctored online by an authorized proctor through ProctorU. Services such as Zoom, Webex, Google Hangouts, or other live videoconference platforms do not meet the security protocols required by the Servsafe Food Protection Manager Certification.
Generally, yes. The ServSafe Food Protection Manger Certification is accepted nationwide and most states offer reciprocity. However, some employers or local regulatory agencies may require you to meet additional requirements.
Yes. You will have 2 hours to complete the ServSafe Certification Exam.
If you fail your first attempt, you may schedule a retest for an additional fee. You will be allowed two attempts within 30 days. If you don’t pass the certification exam after the second attempt, you must wait 60 days before scheduling another retest. Please note that a new exam must be purchased for every retest.
Each paper-based exam or online exam code that you purchase includes one attempt.

The paper-based ServSafe Certification Exam is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, French Canadian, and Large Print.

The online format of the exam is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese. However, ProctorU proctors are only able to provide instructions in English.

No. The online version of the ServSafe Certification Exam must be taken using a laptop or desktop computer that meets the Minimum System Requirements.
Yes. You may reschedule your ProctorU appointment at no additional cost.
With scheduling and testing options available 24/7, ProctorU gives you maximum flexibility to schedule your ServSafe Online exam.
No. ServSafe Exam codes do not expire.
Yes. ServSafe allows special accommodations for examinees who request it. However, examinees are required to submit a request for accommodations form prior to their scheduled exam date. Upon receipt, ServSafe will review and approve or deny the requested accommodations.