for security reasons, inactive accounts are logged out automatically.
If you've searched for food safety certification online, you've probably noticed two terms that keep coming up: food handler and food manager. They sound similar, and the training covers some overlapping topics, but they are two distinct credentials with very different levels of responsibility, legal requirements, and career implications.
In this guide, we'll break down exactly what each role involves, compare the certification requirements and exam formats side by side, and help you determine the right path based on your role.
A Food Handler is exactly as it sounds: anyone involved in preparing, serving, or handling food or food-contact services and has a direct impact on food safety is considered a Food Handler. The exact definition varies by local regulation, but generally this term covers a wide range of roles within the food service industry, including:
By taking and passing a Food Handler certification exam, you’ll earn a Food Handler card. This card tells prospective employers that you’ve been trained on food safety essentials and that, by hiring you, they’re complying with any local regulations that require some or all of their staff to be Food Handler certified.
Food Handler Training OverviewGenerally, a Food Handler certification course should cover basic food safety principles, including:
Once you complete and pass your exam, you will receive a certificate that will be valid for three years. |
Not all states require food service employees to carry a Food Handler certification, but some do: California, Texas, Illinois, Arizona, West Virginia, and New Mexico all require food handlers within their limits to have a food handler training certificate from an ANAB-accredited certificate program.
Even when not required by law, Food Handler certifications offer a number of benefits. For employees, a Food Handler course provides essential food safety training that prevents contamination and protects customers from illness. If you’re trying to break into the food service industry, a Food Handler certification is also an extremely valuable addition to your resume.
For managers, asking your employees to complete Food Handler training ensures your business maintains a good reputation for safe food handling. These courses are also useful when training staff, whether they’re new to the job or working towards a promotion.
While the Food Handler certification focuses on basic safety knowledge for frontline staff, the Food Manager certification represents a significant step up in responsibility and scope. This credential is required for supervisory personnel who are ultimately responsible for implementing and overseeing a comprehensive food safety plan, ensuring that all regulatory standards are met, and protecting the public from foodborne risks.
Food Manager courses can be taken online, and the Food Manager exam typically takes up to two hours to complete. The training program is designed to provide in-depth education on food safety, as well as guidance for employees in supervisory roles. You’ll learn:
The Food Manager exam also covers a range of standard food safety regulations, including the FDA Food Code and HACCP principles. A Food Manager certificate is valid for five years from the date you pass the exam and must be renewed continuously.
Food Manager courses are designed for anyone who holds a supervisory position in a food service establishment, including restaurants, cafeterias, hospital canteens, food trucks, and catering businesses. In the U.S., food service businesses are required by law to have at least one staff member Food Manager certified and on duty to meet health department inspection requirements. If your business has multiple locations, you may need certified Food Managers at each site to remain compliant. Becoming a certified Food Manager can also help you further your career in the food service industry. Many employers intentionally seek out managers and chefs who have a Food Manager certification.
Food Handler vs. Food Manager: Which Certification Do You Need?The difference between the Food Handler and the Food Manager certificate ultimately comes down to two factors: the legal requirements and your level of responsibility in th e workplace. While any employee can hold a Food Handler card, Food Manager certifications are intended for food service managers, owners, or chefs who supervise Food Handlers. Food Handler cards are not required by law everywhere, but Food Manager certifications are required in all 50 states. |
A Food Manager certification requires a higher level of food safety knowledge and generally supersedes and replaces a basic Food Handler card. You do not need both in supervisory roles. Some states may still ask for both certifications, so it’s always best to check your state’s specific requirements.
Yes, food truck owners are required to complete the food manager exam and maintain their food safety certification.
Yes. We offer exam-only pricing that allows you to take our proctored online exam without completing our course. However, if you’ve never taken a Food Manager certification course before, we highly recommend completing the training prior to the exam.
English
Spanish