Safety is a cornerstone of every successful restaurant, bar or foodservice operation. Texas state law requires every food establishment to have at least one Certified Food Manager (CFM) on site at all times. This requirement protects public health and ensures that businesses maintain high operational standards.
We make it easy to take control of your certification. Choose between the full course and exam package or select the exam by itself. Both options are entirely online, self-paced and mobile friendly, allowing you to complete on your schedule.
Read on to learn how to obtain your credentials, including state requirements and training options.
A CFM oversees daily operations in a restaurant, bar or similar establishment. Unlike food handlers, who focus on direct preparation and service, a food protection manager supervises staff and ensures the business complies with health department regulations. This often includes training employees, monitoring hygiene standards, preparing for inspections and ensuring that all industry regulations are followed.
Because of their leadership role, managers are required to complete a more advanced certification program than standard workers. This ensures they have the knowledge and skills to protect customers from illnesses and keep the establishment running safely and effectively.
While Texas does not require students to complete food safety training before sitting for the assessment, completing this program is strongly recommended. Our online course is comprehensive, easy to navigate and designed to build confidence so candidates feel fully prepared when testing. It offers structured lessons, practical examples and real-world applications that align directly with official state exam objectives.
Whether you work in a busy restaurant, a local cafe, a hotel kitchen or a catering company, this program gives you the essential knowledge and confidence to manage operations effectively and safely.
The course is divided into clear, user-friendly modules. Each is designed to help you gain a deep understanding of proper handling principles, sanitation techniques and strategies to maintain compliance with food safety regulations.
This structured curriculum ensures trainees develop both the technical knowledge and leadership skills required to run a safe and responsible food service operation.
To become a CFM in Texas, you must pass the state-approved examination. The training program itself has no final test. The official Food Manager Certification Exam is a separate assessment regulated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
The questions are designed through a systematic process that guarantees fairness, readability and technical accuracy. Each test is unique and pulled from a broad question bank to ensure students are tested on a wide range of relevant topics.
You can download your card immediately upon passing, valid for five years across the state of Texas. This certificate demonstrates that you meet local and federal food safety standards, understand supervisor best practices to reduce liabilities and are committed to protecting public health.
When your card nears its expiration date, you'll need to plan for renewal. To renew, simply take and pass the exam again to make sure you are up to date with current food safety laws, procedures and regulatory changes. Many businesses provide renewal reminders for staff to avoid lapses that could lead to citations or fines during inspections.
The food safety education program is 14 hours long and completely self-paced. You can complete it in multiple sessions and resume where you left off.
No. Texas law does not require training before the exam. However, completing the course is highly recommended because it can improve your chances of passing.
No. The course itself does not have a final exam. Instead, it includes brief end-of-module quizzes to help you remember what you've learned. After the training, you'll proceed to take the state exam.
Yes. You may complete your education with the help of in-person classes or online training.
Both training paths prepare candidates to sit for the official exam. Choose between them depending on your learning style, schedule and employment needs.
Yes. It is fully approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services and meets all state certification requirements.
Anyone in Texas working in a role classified as a food manager must take and pass the state exam to become a CFM. This includes individuals who have authority over item preparation, storage and service, as well as those responsible for supervising kitchen staff, monitoring safety practices or making decisions that affect the integrity of what's being served.
Per Section 437.0075 of the Texas Health and Safety Code (HSC), a food service establishment must always have at least one CFM on duty to meet health department requirements and comply with state and local regulations.
Once you register for the online exam, you can take it anywhere using any internet-ready device. You'll have 90 minutes to complete the test, which consists of 75 multiple-choice questions.
You have up to two attempts to pass, meaning you can retake it once for free if you don't pass the first time. To earn your certification, you must get a score of 70% or higher. If you don't get a passing score within these two attempts, you'll need to re-register for the exam.
You can download and print your official Food Manager Certificate instantly after passing the exam.
Your certificate is valid for five years.
If your certification is nearing expiration and you wish to recertify, you must purchase and pass the exam again.
If your card expires, you can no longer legally serve as the designated CFM at your establishment. To restore your credentials, you must retake the exam and obtain a new certificate.
The food handler permit is for frontline employees who prepare, cook or serve food. The food manager certification, on the other hand, is for supervisory personnel who oversee operations, train staff and ensure compliance with state safety rules. Both play vital roles in creating a safe work environment.
