Health Department Approved, ANAB-CFP Accredited Certified Food Manager Exam
* Diamond Package – In order to qualify for the Free Retest, you must complete the ENTIRE online training and sample tests BEFORE taking the initial Food Manager exam. The 1 free retest must be taken within 6 months of not passing the first time. All other retests will be $69.95.
Section Summary:
Flexible package options support individual learners and business needs across Illinois.
Illinois Food Manager Certification – Health Department Approved
We guarantee approval of the Certified Food Protection Manager Program by the health department.
Please click to view the nationally recognized ANSI accreditation for Food Protection Manager.
AAA Food Handler is a nationally recognized provider of food safety education and Food Manager Certification programs serving food establishments across the United States. The program is designed to support regulatory compliance, food safety leadership, and operational oversight for managers and supervisory staff.
AAA Food Handler offers an ANAB-CFP Accredited Food Manager Certification exam that aligns with the 2022 FDA Food Code and is accepted across all Illinois health jurisdictions.
Section Summary:
AAA Food Handler delivers nationally recognized, Accredited Food Manager Certification programs that support food safety compliance across Illinois.
Illinois requires at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on-site during all hours of operation. Certification ensures food establishments meet the Illinois Food Code and helps prevent violations, closures, and foodborne illness outbreaks.
AAA Food Handler’s Food Manager Certification program provides a structured approach for managers and supervisors to demonstrate food safety knowledge and meet inspection expectations across Illinois counties.
Summary:
Certification supports food safety competency and ensures managers meet inspection and compliance expectations in Illinois.
Food safety oversight in Illinois is managed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and local health departments such as the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). Illinois follows the 2022 edition of the FDA Food Code.
Key Requirements:
Regulatory Authority & Contact:
Summary:
Illinois requires at least one CFPM on-site at all times in food establishments and enforces strict hygiene, temperature, and HACCP requirements under the 2022 FDA Food Code.
Certification applies to:
Summary:
A CFPM must be present during all hours of operation to ensure safe food handling and regulatory compliance.
AAA Food Handler provides an ANAB-CFP Accredited Food Manager Certification exam accepted statewide in Illinois.
Certification Highlights:
Summary:
AAA Food Handler’s certification ensures inspection readiness and compliance for Illinois food establishments.
Summary:
Certification provides documented food safety knowledge and ensures compliance with Illinois food safety regulations.
Illinois allows remote-proctored Food Manager Certification exams. AAA Food Handler provides:
Summary:
Remote-proctored online exams are fully accepted and widely used in Illinois.
Competency Areas:
Summary:
The exam evaluates managerial food safety competency aligned with Illinois inspection expectations.



















Foodborne illnesses through improved oversight
Compliance with Illinois food safety regulations
Inspection violations and corrective actions
Staff hygiene and operational efficiency
Audit-ready documentation
Food safety culture and accountability
Section Summary:
Certification strengthens food safety management and inspection readiness across Illinois establishments.
Summary:
AAA Food Handler provides Accredited certification, flexible online learning, and management tools that support compliance, oversight, and operational efficiency across Illinois.
Numerous professionals nationwide have already earned and renewed their card with AAA Food Handler — a trusted name in food safety training.
Yes. AAA Food Handler’s ANAB-CFP Accredited Food Manager Certification is fully accepted across Illinois and meets all state and local requirements for Certified Food Protection Managers (CFPMs).
You must pass an exam accredited by the ANAB and the Conference for Food Protection (CFP)—such as the one offered by AAA Food Handler.
Food Managers oversee overall food safety across the operation, while Food Handlers are trained to perform safe practices specific to their role.
You’ll need to complete an approved course in nutrition and foodservice management and pass the Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) exam.
AAA Food Handler’s Food Manager Program meets the requirements for Certified Food Service Manager Requirement to Comply with CFR § 483.60 Food and Nutrition Services.
Illinois Food Manager Certification is typically valid for 5 years. Always confirm with your local health department for any updates.
Yes! The full certification process—including training and a proctored exam—can be completed online through an ANSI/ANAB-accredited provider.
It covers a lot of material but is manageable with study and practice exams.
Illinois accepts any Food Protection Manager Certification accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Conference for Food Protection (CFP)—including AAA Food Handler.
Under the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act (410 ILCS 625), all food service establishments in Illinois must have at least one certified food manager on-site at all times. Failing to comply with this requirement can result in penalties.
As of January 1, 2018, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) no longer requires individuals to apply for the Illinois Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification (FSSMC)—except in the city of Chicago, where local regulations still apply.
We recommend checking with your local health department for any additional or location-specific certification and training requirements.
Yes. Illinois requires at least one CFPM on-site during all hours of operation.
Take a structured online course (optional but recommended) and pass an ANAB-accredited exam provided by AAA Food Handler.
Yes, remotely proctored ANAB-accredited Food Manager exams are fully accepted.
Yes. AAA Food Handler’s ANAB-accredited Food Manager Certification is fully accepted across Illinois and meets all state and local requirements for Certified Food Protection Managers (CFPMs).
Certification is valid for 5 years, after which the exam must be retaken.
Get Your Illinois Food Manager Certification Today — Fully Online, ANAB-CFP Accredited, and Accepted Statewide.
Food Manager Reviews
4.9
Very informative
the only thing that I would recommend in the future is easier progress tracking. I would reccomend this course do to the national recognition that it has.
Information was clearly presented
Great material and explanations. Easy to understand.
This was a very well laid out and produced course. I appreciated the way it was organized. It kept me engaged throughout.
Was not as complicated as expected. I learned what was need and am now ready to take the test.
Straightforward and fun
nice and easy, very well put together
Easy to follow the modules and found them informative.
This was really well put together and time efficient.
Good Course
Very informative and engaging.The videos made learning about food safety principles easy to remember for the exam.
This is by far one of the best food handlers classes I’ve taken. Very easy to follow. The information is presented in a way that is easy to remember.
I feel like this helps achieve the goal of satisfying customers with safe food products
An interesting detail is that food intoxications and food infections are different things! They are caused by different things and the timing for symptoms are completely different.
i liked the review questions at the end of the modules