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Replace outdated or unsafe practices with clear, proven methods that uphold safety standards across your kitchen.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
Wasn’t too repetitive, great learning tool for those who do not want to take the in-person course.
This course was very well organized and easy to follow. I originally purchased a different course. Very shady that the other course asked for a review before the course would even start. This course was more money but definitely worth it. Especially since now I have paid for the other course and will most likely not get a refund.
It was good, a lot of important information that helped me to realize the significance for a manager to keep everyone safe and keep up with the business at the same time. Such as identifying potential biological, chemical, food borne hazards that could lead to an unsafe situation.
A good resource. The presentation controls need to be updated, but a strong resource nonetheless.
I completed the AAA Food Handler course, and I’m really happy with it! Everything was clear, informative, and easy to follow. The lessons covered all the important topics.
The online format was super convenient. It was a great experience, and I feel much more confident now.
Provided an easy to follow outline, along with user-friendly ways to review and study at my own pace.
i love that i got to do the course on my own pace. and maria was a great help.
amazing
My first FMCC was back in 2006. Although I’m not a fan of having to take any type of tests, we’ll see how this one goes! I have found this course to be a bit more interesting than the previous ones taken. It goes quickly, is easy to understand, but I probably could have done without the “feeling worms move in their mouth” part. Other than that, two thumbs up!!!
A great option, thankyou for providing this online service. It allowed me to work at my own pace and on my own time.
Interactive and educational! Great program and easy to use.
The review was a great refresher. Not only were these things that we are already taught in food handlers, but it does go more indepth when it comes to the responsibilities for those that are in a manager or owner position. It was easy to understand the information and grasp the concepts that were here.
I enjoyed this Course. They taught me things I didn’t Know. Would definitely Recommend to others.
It’s was a great class and I did obtain a lot of information.
The course was very easy to follow and understand. I will use this knowledge at home and in the store. Thank you AAA for such great training!
This a really good thing to watch for food safety.
Short lessons, lots to learn but easy to follow.
This course is kinda long but it goes into great detail to make sure you know everything you need to know about being a food Manager