If you work in the food industry in New Jersey, earning your food manager certification in New Jersey is more than just a smart move—it’s often a regulatory requirement. Whether you manage a restaurant, run a catering business, or oversee a school cafeteria, proper food safety knowledge is essential to protect your customers and your business.
Let’s walk through the certification requirements, what the process involves, and the most important points every food manager in New Jersey should know.
In New Jersey, many food establishments are required to have a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). This includes restaurants, cafeterias, catering companies, and even some mobile food vendors. The role of a CFPM is to ensure that food safety procedures are implemented and followed daily.
So, do all restaurants in New Jersey need a certified food manager on-site?
Yes—most full-service food establishments must have a certified food protection manager available during business hours or ensure that food safety protocols are consistently enforced by trained staff.
Yes, you can earn your food manager certification entirely online in New Jersey, as long as the training and exam are offered by an ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB))-accredited provider and recognized by the Conference for Food Protection (CFP). This online option is ideal for professionals with busy schedules, as it offers flexibility and convenience without sacrificing compliance.
Be sure to choose a reputable training program that offers:
The food manager certification in New Jersey exam typically includes topics such as:
These topics are based on standards approved by the Conference for Food Protection (ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)-CFP).
Once you pass the certification exam, your credential as a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) is valid for five years in New Jersey. After that, you must retake and pass the exam to renew your certification and remain compliant with state food safety laws.
Even though you’re not required to take a refresher course before recertification, doing so is highly recommended to stay up to date with evolving regulations, foodborne illness trends, and best practices.
New Jersey does not mandate formal training before taking the certification exam, but it is strongly recommended, especially if you’re new to food service management or unfamiliar with the latest food safety standards.
A well-structured course can help you understand and retain key concepts such as:
Many certification programs bundle the training and exam together, offering better value and ensuring you’re well-prepared to pass on the first try.
The process to earn your food manager certification in New Jersey includes:
1. Choose an Approved Program
Your training and exam must come from a nationally accredited food manager certification provider. Look for programs recognized by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)) and the Conference for Food Protection (CFP).
2. Take the Exam
You must pass a certification exam that evaluates your understanding of foodborne illness prevention, hygiene, time and temperature control, allergens, and cleaning practices. Many programs offer this exam online for convenience.
3. Receive Your Certification
Once you pass, you’ll receive documentation showing that you’re a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). Keep this certificate on file—it’s subject to inspection by local health authorities.
If you have further questions about food safety regulations or certification requirements in New Jersey, contact:
New Jersey Department of Health
Public Health and Food Protection Program
PO Box 369
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
Earning your food manager certification in New Jersey is more than just meeting a requirement—it’s a commitment to public health, customer trust, and professional excellence. Choose an ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)) Accredited program, follow the correct procedures, and stay ahead of any regulatory updates to ensure long-term success in your food service career.
FOOD
HANDLER
Food Handler Reviews
4.9
Food-Handler Course
The course itself was easy to understand, and overall easily digestible with straightforward but detailed modules.
good
the course is good and easy to learn
No Title
food handler
good
food handler
overall good
No Title
Informative but lacking
I found this course to be very informative as I have not been in the food industry before. However some of the questions asked were not covered in the course and there was one specific questions that was so grammatically incorrect it was confusing to understand what it was asking.
No Title
Timing
Went well , however; tablet was having issues
Easily Understandable
Good course and user friendly
No Title
One simple word...
Great
It was knowledgeable
No Title
No Title
Understood
Great!
No Title
No Title
Very informative
The course was informative and easy to follow.
No Title
Food Handler Reviews
4.9
Food-Handler Course
The course itself was easy to understand, and overall easily digestible with straightforward but detailed modules.
good
the course is good and easy to learn
No Title
food handler
good
food handler
overall good
No Title
Informative but lacking
I found this course to be very informative as I have not been in the food industry before. However some of the questions asked were not covered in the course and there was one specific questions that was so grammatically incorrect it was confusing to understand what it was asking.
No Title
Timing
Went well , however; tablet was having issues
Easily Understandable
Good course and user friendly
No Title
One simple word...
Great
It was knowledgeable
No Title
No Title
Understood
Great!
No Title
No Title
Very informative
The course was informative and easy to follow.
No Title
Starting at $6.95
FOOD MANAGER
Food Manager Reviews
4.9
No Title
Very simple and understandable
Highly recommended!!
Beneficial Information
I learned a lot. Very detailed information given.
Great course
Well written and organized
This was a well written course. It flowed well.
Great site
n/a
n/a
What a great informative course
The course is very thorough and informative. I can go with my own pace with helps me to understand the informations better. Highly recommended
No Title
Easy and Informative
Watch each section and answer a few questions and then there is your final test. You will definitely learn a lot.
Excellent course
I highly recommend this course to anyone needing to get their food handler manager certification. This was an easy to follow course and you can always replay to completely understand the information. Very satisfied, thank you.
Great information for food managers
Well structured, easy to follow.
Work at your own pace.
All subjects covered clearly.
Great Training
great training before taking practice exams and final test
Course was engaging
The course was engaging and kept me interested.
Very Informative
Very Informative and straight forward.
Buen programa
Facil de comprender
Muy buen programa para aprender
Great Course to take
Was informative and easy self guided
length
it felt a bit long but very thorough.
Easy to Follow
The online food handling course was clear, informative, and easy to follow. It covered all the essential topics with practical examples, making it easy to understand even for beginners. I appreciated the flexibility to complete it at my own pace. Highly recommended for anyone needing certification or a refresher!
Food Manager Reviews
4.9
No Title
Very simple and understandable
Highly recommended!!
Beneficial Information
I learned a lot. Very detailed information given.
Great course
Well written and organized
This was a well written course. It flowed well.
Great site
n/a
n/a
What a great informative course
The course is very thorough and informative. I can go with my own pace with helps me to understand the informations better. Highly recommended
No Title
Easy and Informative
Watch each section and answer a few questions and then there is your final test. You will definitely learn a lot.
Excellent course
I highly recommend this course to anyone needing to get their food handler manager certification. This was an easy to follow course and you can always replay to completely understand the information. Very satisfied, thank you.
Great information for food managers
Well structured, easy to follow.
Work at your own pace.
All subjects covered clearly.
Great Training
great training before taking practice exams and final test
Course was engaging
The course was engaging and kept me interested.
Very Informative
Very Informative and straight forward.
Buen programa
Facil de comprender
Muy buen programa para aprender
Great Course to take
Was informative and easy self guided
length
it felt a bit long but very thorough.
Easy to Follow
The online food handling course was clear, informative, and easy to follow. It covered all the essential topics with practical examples, making it easy to understand even for beginners. I appreciated the flexibility to complete it at my own pace. Highly recommended for anyone needing certification or a refresher!
Starting at $49.95
ALCOHOL TRAINING
Alcohol Training Reviews
4.8
Great Course!
Simple and quick process
Informative Refresher
This course really gave me more confidence with my knowledge and helped me to gain a better understanding with topics that are a bit tricky.
Thorough and Easy to navigate
Overall great way to get a course done. The on screen prompt was well read and paced well.
Responsible Beverage Service
This course was informative.
very good
No Title
simple to follow
great
good
good
Clear and concise education
I’d recommend this training course to any one wanting the certificate. The price is certainly right!
No Title
Way too lengthy, thought it would never end
Informative course
This course was easy to moderate as far as content and delivery. I’m glad I took this class also because it was very affordable.
Great Videos
As someone who can have a hard time reading, I very much appreciate that the entirety of this training was videos. They went into just enough detail to get you the information and didn’t force you to sit through unnecessary information. Great training program would defiantly recommend
gr8
gr8
RBS Training Review
The RBS Training was very impactful. there was a plethora of information.
The training was informative and thorough , offering a strong reiteration of key information. The course effectively reinforced laws, polices. and best practices by presenting questions in multiple formats, ensuring comprehension and retention.
No Title
No Title
Ok
No Title
Excellent course
The course was genuinely very helpful.
nice work
easy to use, and did what i needed it to do
Alcohol Training Reviews
4.8
Great Course!
Simple and quick process
Informative Refresher
This course really gave me more confidence with my knowledge and helped me to gain a better understanding with topics that are a bit tricky.
Thorough and Easy to navigate
Overall great way to get a course done. The on screen prompt was well read and paced well.
Responsible Beverage Service
This course was informative.
very good
No Title
simple to follow
great
good
good
Clear and concise education
I’d recommend this training course to any one wanting the certificate. The price is certainly right!
No Title
Way too lengthy, thought it would never end
Informative course
This course was easy to moderate as far as content and delivery. I’m glad I took this class also because it was very affordable.
Great Videos
As someone who can have a hard time reading, I very much appreciate that the entirety of this training was videos. They went into just enough detail to get you the information and didn’t force you to sit through unnecessary information. Great training program would defiantly recommend
gr8
gr8
RBS Training Review
The RBS Training was very impactful. there was a plethora of information.
The training was informative and thorough , offering a strong reiteration of key information. The course effectively reinforced laws, polices. and best practices by presenting questions in multiple formats, ensuring comprehension and retention.
No Title
No Title
Ok
No Title
Excellent course
The course was genuinely very helpful.
nice work
easy to use, and did what i needed it to do
Starting at $7.95
ALLERGEN TRAINING
Alcohol Training Reviews
4.8
Great Course!
Simple and quick process
Informative Refresher
This course really gave me more confidence with my knowledge and helped me to gain a better understanding with topics that are a bit tricky.
Thorough and Easy to navigate
Overall great way to get a course done. The on screen prompt was well read and paced well.
Responsible Beverage Service
This course was informative.
very good
No Title
simple to follow
great
good
good
Clear and concise education
I’d recommend this training course to any one wanting the certificate. The price is certainly right!
No Title
Way too lengthy, thought it would never end
Informative course
This course was easy to moderate as far as content and delivery. I’m glad I took this class also because it was very affordable.
Great Videos
As someone who can have a hard time reading, I very much appreciate that the entirety of this training was videos. They went into just enough detail to get you the information and didn’t force you to sit through unnecessary information. Great training program would defiantly recommend
gr8
gr8
RBS Training Review
The RBS Training was very impactful. there was a plethora of information.
The training was informative and thorough , offering a strong reiteration of key information. The course effectively reinforced laws, polices. and best practices by presenting questions in multiple formats, ensuring comprehension and retention.
No Title
No Title
Ok
No Title
Excellent course
The course was genuinely very helpful.
nice work
easy to use, and did what i needed it to do
Allergen Training Review
4.9
great learning tool
this course was well put together and helped me retain what i have learned. the guide for the test at the end helped. learn some new things as well that i will let my team know about.
Great Review for people working in the Food Industry
It started with good statistics of how poor communication & food service can create an emergency for someone with food allergens.
Easy to understand, confident training
This module was communicated very well. I felt confident in the material at the end and passed the exam easily.
food allergies
it was good
Efficient and Informative: AAA Food Handler Training Experience
I recently completed the training and test with AAA Food Handler and found the experience smooth and professional. The course material was clear, up-to-date, and easy to follow, even for first-timers. The training covered essential food safety practices, and the test was straightforward, reflecting what was taught. I appreciated the quick certification process and would definitely recommend AAA Food Handler to anyone in the food service industry.
No Title
Easy to understand!
This is my second time taking this exam. Very easy to understand. I enjoyed the refresher.
allergen course
very informative
No Title
i highly recommend these courses to be taken for either knowledge or advance your career! worth every penny and easy to use.
No Title
Great and fun learning experience
Great and fun learning experience! Easy to learn and loved the different segments.
food allergy
i really like this course class its helpful in the kitchen
In Depth & Informitive
worth gaining the knowledge on how to remain safe and hold regard to public health
Great
Very informative. Thank you
No Title
Great
Thanks
No Title
Learned a lot
very good and intuitive course!
awesome test
its a very good course, clear and very direct studying.
No Title
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