Food Protection Manager Certification

Registering is easy:

Register online by creating an account(PDF, 377KB).

• Follow the prompts to set up the account.
• Select ‘Environmental Health’
• Select ‘Food Safety’ from the list of Environmental Health Programs
• Select ‘Food Protection Manager Certification Registration’
• Complete your online application

Or you can complete and print the Registration Form:

• Select one of the three course options below.
• If requesting the book or exam in another language, then please indicate on the Registration Form.
• Return the completed Registration Form and course fee by mail or in-person to the Food Safety Program Office at least 2 weeks prior to the course date.

A confirmation email will be sent upon receipt of registration form and payment. If registration form and payment are received less than 2 weeks from start of course, please call and make arrangements to pick up a book:

Food Safety Program Office
2121 Noblestown Road, Suite 210
Pittsburgh, PA 15204
Google Directions

Otherwise, a book can be picked up at the start of the course.

The two day course(PDF, 186KB) is recommended for first-time examinees or people who have not recently been certified. The cost is $135.00 per person, which includes two  days of instruction, a course book, and the exam administered at the end of the second day. Classes are held from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, and dates and locations vary. Course books are mailed via USPS, please allow up to two weeks for books to arrive.

The one day recertification course(PDF, 182KB) is recommended for individuals renewing or retesting for a certification. The cost is $105.00 per person, which includes one day of class instruction, a course book, and the recertification exam given at the end of the day. Classes are held from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Course books are mailed via USPS, please allow up to two weeks for books to arrive.

Challenge Exam
The challenge exam is recommended for individuals already proficient in food safety theory and practice who wish to refresh their knowledge. The cost is $65.00 per person, which only includes the examination. Challenge exams begin promptly at 2:00 pm on scheduled dates.

Upcoming Exam Dates

• Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 2:00 pm
• Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - 2:00 pm
• Wednesday, November 5, 2025 - 2:00 pm
• Thursday, December 4, 2025 - 2:00 pm

Location

Food Safety Program Office
2121 Noblestown Road, Suite 210
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
Google Directions

If you have already paid and need to reschedule to another class, contact the Food Safety Program at 412-578-7933. We are able to reschedule a participant once within a six-month period from your initial enrollment date. Should you fail to reschedule within that six-month period or need to reschedule a second time, you will be required to pay another registration fee.

Please note: Exams are pre-ordered and space is limited, so you must register for rescheduled course or exam in advance. Participants arriving without a confirmed space may be turned away.

You will also need a free ServSafe account to get your results; you can create this account before results are available. ServSafe requires an email address to provide your results to you.

At the time of the exam, you will receive a 7-digit session number that you will need to get your exam results from the ServSafe website.

ACHD does not provide printed certificates. Once you pass the exam, your eCertificate can be downloaded and printed directly from the ServSafe website for free. ServSafe will also provide a paper certificate for a fee. More details are available on the ServSafe website. At the time of the exam, you will receive a 7-digit session number that is needed to retrieve your exam results and certificate. You can now download and print your certificate directly from ServSafe for free! Create an account or log in. Follow the instruction prompts. Results should be received in about 10 days.

The Allegheny County Health Department recognizes the following ANSI-CFP Accredited Programs which provide the food safety manager examinations:

• 1 AAA Food Safety (AAA Food Safety, LLC), Certified Food Protection Manager
• APS Culinary Dynamics (DBA: World Food Safety Organization), WFSO-USA Food Protection Manager
• Certus/State Food Safety, State Food Safety Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) Exam
• Learn2Serve, Learn2Serve® Food Protection Manager Certification Program
• My Food Service License, Certified Food Protection Manager
• National Restaurant Association, Food Protection Manager Certification Program or International Certified Food Safety Manager
• The National Registry of Food Safety Professionals, ServSafe® Food Protection Manager Certification Program
• The Always Safe Food Company, Food Protection Manager Certification
• Responsible Training (Safeway Certifications, LLC), Food Protection Manager Certification
• Relish Works, Inc. (DBA: Trust20) Food Protection Manager, Food Protection Manager
• DSBWorldWide, Inc (DBA; EduClasses), FMC Food Managers Certification

How long is the certification valid?

The Food Protection Manager certificate is valid for five years.

What languages is the exam offered in?

• English
• Spanish
• Simplified Chinese
• Korean
• Japanese
• Canadian French

Exams in languages other than English are by special order only and require 45-day advance notice along with your payment. Indicate the desired language on the Registration Form(PDF, 200KB). Please call 412-578-7933 for more information.

How long do I have to take the exam?

Examinees have 2 hours to complete the exam.

How many questions are on the exam?

The exam has a total of 90 questions.

What is an accommodation, and how do I receive an accommodation?

An accommodation is an arrangement made for an examinee with a special need. Accommodation requests are submitted to and approved by the testing agency. Additional forms are required and submitted with your payment to the Food Safety Program at least 45 days in advance of the selected course or exam date. Please call 412-578-7933 for more information.

What is the age requirement to take the exam?

While there is no minimum age requirement to take the exam, the person-in-charge is responsible for the daily operation of the food facility and must be the certified food protection manager.

What if I don’t pass the exam?

Take the exam again. Exams are held regularly at the Food Safety Program Office; however, we strongly recommend that you register for the 2-day or 1-day certification course. Exams are also available by registering directly with a testing agency.

Please note: You can retest only two times within a 30-day period, but if you fail the second time, you must wait 60 days from your last attempt to retest. You can take the test no more than four times within a 12-month period. Failing the exam is the only legitimate reason to retest.

Please contact the Food Safety Program by calling 412-578-7933 or by using your Allegheny County Support Center account.