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Replace outdated or unsafe practices with clear, proven methods that uphold safety standards across your kitchen.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
I have lear so much. Thank you for all the information you have provide me.
This program got the job done. Kind of old school style compared to other exams I’ve recently taken.
I found this training to cover all the bases. Though the volume levels were just bare minimum, I could hear most everything ok.
This course was thorough, and easy to follow. Although this is a 5 year renewal for me I still learned a lot. I liked the fact that the course was bundled and at a very reasonable price.
Thank you AAA
This was an informative and helpful. Easy to follow.
I enjoyed this course & all the material was easy to understand.
Very easy to access and understand. The visual aids as well as the commentary were extremely beneficial and I would definitely recommend this course to anyone who needs to complete their training
Easy to navigate
I TRULY LEARNED A LOT
I went over some modules a couple of times to absorb all the information in them. The only problem I had was with the actual test taking. I took the test through ServSafe and some topics were different so I was not able to give correct answers to some questions. They went more in depth on when food should be reheated or thrown out or how long to keep something even though it was stored at 41 or below and with choice of 5-7 days. Only one question on the ALERT System and I had memorized much of that. There were very few questions on the 9 different bacteria. Also, many questions about food deliveries, floor composition, etc. I passed the test but had to work to figure out answers that would be correct. I would have preferred to have a comprehensive practice test at the end in addition to the short quizzes at the end of each module. The module directory was good to have to review an item or 2.
I must say it was an incredibly smooth and rewarding experience. The course was quick, making it perfect for those with a busy schedule but still eager to learn. It was easy to navigate, and I never felt lost or overwhelmed at any point.
The content was clear and straightforward, allowing me to grasp the concepts quickly and confidently. The structure of the course made it simple to follow, with practical examples that helped reinforce the lessons.
Overall, I highly recommend the Food Handlers course to anyone looking to expand their knowledge in a fast, efficient, and user-friendly way!
Good material in general, a single summary slide for each module wold be very helpful.
This was a great training
This course was great for me because I work and go to school and this worked with my busy schedule. I liked that I could go at my own pace.
The course is interesting and colorful.I like it.