California Food Manager Certification – Health Department Approved
The Alameda County Food Manager Certification, offered through AAA Food Handler, provides a nationally accredited food manager certification through the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). Our training and exams are fully online and flexible, making it easy for food managers in Alameda County to meet compliance requirements without disrupting busy schedules.
This ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) Accredited program fulfills the standards required to earn the Food Manager Certification, as recognized by local and state health authorities. Courses are available in both English and Spanish, giving every participant an equal opportunity to complete their Food Safety Certification.



















With our Conference for Food Protection (ANAB-CFP) aligned program, managers and staff can complete training and exams entirely online. Lessons are self-paced, accessible 24/7, and built to match the unique food safety expectations set by Alameda County and the State of California.
Learn how to anticipate problems before they escalate, protecting both customers and business operations from foodborne illness.
Strengthen your ability to identify risks quickly and make sound decisions during daily food safety oversight.
Replace outdated or unsafe practices with clear, proven methods that uphold safety standards across your kitchen.
Reduce the likelihood of violations and avoid setbacks by staying proactive with compliance and monitoring.
A well-trained leadership team ensures smoother workflows, consistent service, and fewer interruptions.
Staff and managers perform better when food safety protocols are second nature, leading to stronger teamwork and a safer work culture.
From neighborhood eateries in Oakland to large dining establishments in Berkeley and Fremont, AAA Food Handler’s Food Protection Manager Certification is valid across Alameda County. Employers and employees alike can count on streamlined compliance, ensuring their certification is accepted by every health jurisdiction in the county.
Numerous professionals nationwide have already earned and renewed their card with AAA Food Handler — a trusted name in food safety training.
Know Before You Train
The Alameda County Food Manager Certification shows that a food service manager has successfully passed a state-approved food safety exam and is qualified to oversee safe food handling in any establishment. California law requires every food business in Alameda County to have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on staff. This ensures operations meet county health and safety regulations.
Any person in charge of a food facility—such as a restaurant, café, catering company, food truck, or school cafeteria—must hold a valid Food Manager Certification. If your role involves managing employees who handle unpackaged or perishable food, you are required by law to be certified.
You can earn your Alameda County Food Manager Certification by passing an ANAB-accredited Food Protection Manager Exam. With AAA Food Handler, the process is straightforward—our training materials prepare you for the exam, which you can complete online with an approved proctor. Once you pass, your certificate is valid for five years.
In Alameda County, Food Manager Certification is valid for five years. After that, managers must retake and pass the approved exam to renew their certification and remain compliant.
Yes. AAA Food Handler offers the Alameda County Food Manager exam online through secure remote proctoring. This means you can take the test from anywhere with internet access, without needing to travel to a testing center.
According to the California Health & Safety Code, every food facility in Alameda County that prepares, handles, or serves unpackaged food must employ at least one Certified Food Protection Manager. Temporary food facilities are generally exempt. The certification must be issued by an ANAB-accredited program and be kept on file at the establishment for inspection purposes.
While the law allows either the owner or an employee to be certified, in practice, it is typically the general manager, head chef, or kitchen manager. Many employers in Alameda County require multiple managers or chefs to hold certification, even if only one is legally required.
Food managers play a critical role in protecting public health. They are responsible for:
By maintaining proper certification, food managers help prevent foodborne illnesses and keep their establishments inspection-ready.
Operating without a certified food manager in Alameda County can lead to health code violations, fines, or even the temporary closure of the establishment. Certification ensures compliance and builds trust with both customers and inspectors.
AAA Food Handler provides a county-approved pathway to certification with convenient online training and exams. Our program is accepted across Alameda County, making it simple for managers and staff to meet legal requirements without delays.
Food Manager Reviews
4.9
This was very user friendly and easy to follow/learn.
This course was very informative and suited to my learning style. The only thing that could’ve improved my experience is if I were able to rewind the video before watching it fully. There were somethings I need to watch back and had trouble finding the time mark when the video was over.
The training has a good organization, and clarity. It was interesting. I recommended it.
Este curso es muy bueno. Facil de comprender
Great and easy explanation
I have taken other training classes before but this one was simple, informative and to the point!
Good information. Good refresher. Lay out makes it difficult to fulfill daily duties and keep info fresh in mind for test time. Practice tests may help IF they are similar to test. We shall see
Learned alot and by working in a food establishment currently it flows right with my everyday work habits. Very smooth running online class.
I recently completed the Food Manager Certification course, and it was a very valuable experience. The course covered all the essentials of food safety—everything from preventing foodborne illnesses to proper handling, storage, and regulatory compliance.
What I appreciated most was how clearly the material was presented. The practice exams were especially helpful in preparing me for the certification test, and I felt confident going in. The flexibility to study at my own pace made it easy to fit into my schedule.
I’d recommend this certification to anyone in food service management. Not only does it meet the legal requirements, but it also gives you the confidence to maintain a safe and compliant food environment.
En el proceso del curso FSQA, he aprendido de forma didactica, facil y con lenguaje sencillo sobre Seguridad de Alimentos y Calidad. He puesto todo mi dispocision para aprender o fortalecer mis conocimientos de la industria alimentaria.
He aprendido sobre la higiene personal, el control de temperaturas, la prevención de la contaminación cruzada, la limpieza y desinfección, y el control de plagas prevenir enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos y cumplir con las regulaciones de Texas.
Instructional and ease of use. Would recommend.
This course is great. It is clear, easy to understand, and fast paced. There is no redundancy. Just a few glitches where the voice over was super high speed and unable to be heard in 2 modules.
El curso es facil de comprender y la evaluacion despues de cada modulo ayuda bastante.
Good & informative
Great Info!!
very thorough course I loved how easy it was to understand. I love the interactiveness at the end of each course, would recommend.