AAA Food Handler

WASHINGTON
FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATION

4.9
(9,185 reviews)

$99.95

Gold Package

$119.95

Diamond Package

$69.95

Exam Only

$49.95

Training Only

* 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.

Orange County Food Manager Certification
Orange County Food Manager Certification

Washington 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.

Washington Food Manager Certification — ANAB CFP-Accredited, and Accepted Statewide

Washington requires most food establishments to have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) in Washington under WAC 246-215-02107. The CFPM must pass a Conference for Food Protection (CFP)–accredited Food Protection Manager Exam issued by an ANSI/ANAB-accredited certification body. AAA Food Handler provides a CFPM training in Washington and a CFP-compliant exam accepted statewide for all food establishments. All food workers must also obtain the official Washington Food Worker Card through the WA DOH training system.

Washington Food Manager Certification Overview

Key Requirements:

  • Most food establishments must employ at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)
  • An ANAB CFP-accredited program must issue certification and be proctored in-person or online
  • The CFPM does not need to be on-site at all times, but the certificate must be available for inspection
  • AAA Food Handler’s CFP-compliant certification meets all Washington requirements

Regulatory Authorities:

  • Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH)
  • Washington State Retail Food Code — WAC 246-215 (adopted March 1, 2023)
  • Local Health Jurisdictions

Summary: Certification ensures compliance, strengthens food safety management, and is recognized statewide.

Is the AAA Food Handler Accepted in Washington?

Yes. Washington accepts any Food Protection Manager Certification that is:

  • ANAB CFP-accredited
  • Proctored in-person or via live remote proctoring

AAA Food Handler’s Food Manager Certification meets all statewide criteria.

Summary: AAA Food Handler satisfies all regulatory and state acceptance standards.

Establishments That Must Have a CFPM

CFPM requirement applies to most food service operations, including:

  • Restaurants
  • Caterers
  • Commissaries
  • Mobile food units with complex/limited menus
  • Establishments preparing TCS foods
  • Institutional kitchens
  • Food service operations in hotels/lodging
  • Schools and daycare commercial kitchens

Exemptions (Low-Risk Establishments):

  • Prepackaged food-only retailers
  • Coffee stands with non-TCS products
  • Convenience stores with limited handling
  • Minimal food-prep operations as defined by local jurisdictions

Summary: Certification covers nearly all Washington food establishments regulated by WA DOH.

Washington Food Worker Card Requirements (Separate from CFPM)

All food workers must obtain a Washington Food Worker Card:

  • Issued only by WA DOH-approved training portals
  • Must be obtained within 14 days of starting work
  • Valid for 2 years initially, 3 years with additional training, 5 years with employer-verified continuing education

Important: AAA Food Handler’s ANAB CFP-accredited Food Handler course provides excellent training for internal compliance, but cannot replace the official Washington Food Worker Card, which is issued only by WA DOH.

Summary: Food Worker training complements CFPM certification for staff compliance.

Step-by-Step: How to Become a Certified Food Protection Manager in Washington

1. Complete Food Manager Training (recommended, not mandatory)

Helps prepare for the ANAB CFP-accredited exam, and the AAA Food Handler provides the aligned training needed for exam readiness.

2. Pass a ANAB CFP-accredited Food Protection Manager Exam

  • Must be accredited under CFP standards
  • Provided by AAA Food Handler through a certified partner

3. Ensure Certificate Availability

  • On-site or electronically accessible
  • Must be available during inspections

4. Maintain compliance

Retake the exam every 5 years (industry standard)

Summary: Clear steps ensure full regulatory compliance and food safety preparedness.

Remote Proctoring Rules in Washington

  • Allowed for ANAB CFP-accredited exams
  • Must use live, real-time proctoring with ID verification
  • Exam monitoring is required for the whole session

The AAA Food Handler’s remote exam meets all state standards.

Summary: Certification can be completed fully online, increasing accessibility.

Washington Food Protection Manager Exam Details

  • Format: 75 multiple-choice questions
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Passing Score: ~70%
  • Competency Areas:
  • Foodborne illness prevention
  • Employee health & hygiene
  • Time/temperature control (TCS foods)
  • Cleaning & sanitizing
  • Allergen management
  • Operational controls
  • WA DOH regulatory compliance

Summary: Exam ensures managers are prepared to manage food safety risks.

PIC (Person in Charge) Requirement

Even with a CFPM on staff, a Person in Charge (PIC) must be present at all times:

  • Must demonstrate knowledge by:
  • Holding an active CFPM certificate, or
  • Correctly answering food safety questions, or
  • Demonstrating compliance during inspection

Summary: CFPM requirement supplements, but does not replace, PIC responsibilities.

Renewal Requirement

  • Food Manager Certification: Every 5 years; retake the CFP exam

Summary: Flexible packages meet different operational needs and staff schedules.

Benefits of Training & Certification

  • Prevent foodborne illnesses
  • Ensure regulatory compliance
  • Reduce inspection violations
  • Improve employee hygiene and operational safety
  • Train and manage staff effectively
  • Provide audit-ready documentation

Summary: Certification strengthens food safety culture and operational efficiency.

Quick Summary

  • Most Washington food establishments require one CFPM
  • AAA Food Handler is ANAB CFP-accredited, and accepted statewide
  • Certification is valid 5 years
  • Exam can be taken fully online with remote proctoring
  • PIC must always be present; Food Worker Card is separate and mandatory
  • Training prepares managers to prevent foodborne illness and comply with state regulations

Summary: Certification strengthens food safety culture and operational efficiency.

OUR CLIENTS

BENEFITS OF TRAINING

plates

PREVENT

Education is the best tool to prevent, minimize, or eliminate foodborne illnesses and food hazards.

apples

AWARENESS

Improve critical thinking and decision making to prevent or avoid sticky situations.
diet-1

ELIMINATE

Training helps reduce or eliminate food safety hazards before they become major issues.

trophies

MINIMIZE

Be able to recognize, mitigate, reduce or eliminate the risk of improper food safety procedures.
dinner

PRODUCTIVITY

Reducing food safety complaints will create a happier workplace and in turn increase productivity.

waiter

WORKPLACE SATISFACTION

Serving safe food will increase productivity will in turn increase workplace satisfaction.

WHY CHOOSE US

California Food Manager Certification
Food Handler

Getting Food Manager Certification Is Quick and Hassle-Free

Numerous professionals nationwide have already earned and renewed their card with AAA Food Handler — a trusted name in food safety training.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

The Washington Food Manager Certification is  ANAB CFP- Accredited certification required to demonstrate that individuals responsible for overseeing food safety operations in a food establishment have received advanced training in food safety principles and practices, as mandated by the state.

Washington Food Manager Certification

To become a certified Food Manager, complete an ANAB CFP accredited online certification course, pass the exam, and submit proof of completion. Our Food Manager Certification is accepted in Washington and meets state guidelines.

Yes! The entire Food Manager Certification course and exam are available online. Our flexible program allows you to start, stop, and resume the course at your convenience.

The certification remains valid for five years. After this period, you must renew it by retaking the exam.

The cost of the Food Manager Certification depends on the package selected, with prices ranging from $49.95 to $119.95. 

While it’s not mandatory, we highly recommend taking Food Safety Certification course before the exam to ensure you understand all the critical food safety concepts. The comprehensive course covers key topics like sanitation, temperature control, and preventing cross-contamination.

The course typically takes around 4 hours to complete, but since it’s online, you can go at your own pace and revisit sections if necessary. The exam takes approximately 2 hours.

If you fail the exam, don’t worry! With most of our packages, you get one free retest. To ensure you’re prepared, we recommend completing the full training and using the sample test questions before attempting the exam again.

Food Protection Manager certification shows a manager understands key safety practices and regulations. It helps reduce the risk of foodborne illness, supports safe food handling, and boosts a food establishment’s credibility. In many areas, including Washington, it’s also required by law.

In most states, managers must have a Food Protection Manager certification accredited by the ANAB or an equivalent. That said, it’s essential to check with your state or local health department, like in Washington, to understand who needs certification and under what circumstances.

Yes, the AAA Food Handler’s Food Saftey Training is built to prepare you fully for the Food Protection Manager Exam or the Washington Certified Food Manager Exam, if applicable. It includes all the essential topics you need to succeed.

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.

For official guidance on food safety rules and Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) requirements in Washington, contact the Washington State Department of Health – Food Safety Program:
Address: PO Box 47824, Olympia, Washington 98504
Phone: 360-236-3330

Yes. WAC 246-215-02107 requires a CFPM for most food establishments.

Yes. AAA Food Handler is accepted in Washington because its ANAB CFP- Accredited  certification, meeting WA DOH requirements.

Yes. It must be obtained through WA DOH-approved training.

Yes. Remote proctored CFP exams are permitted.

No, but the certificate must be accessible, and a qualified PIC must always be present.

Restaurants, caterers, mobile food operations, institutional operations, hotels/lodging kitchens.

Trains staff, monitors food safety, implements Active Managerial Control, maintains records, ensures regulatory compliance.

AAA Food Handler — Authority & Statewide Acceptance

AAA Food Handler’s Food Manager Certification is:

  • ANAB CFP-accredited
  • Accepted statewide in all Washington counties

Summary: Dual accreditation ensures compliance with all Washington food establishment requirements.

Final Call-to-Action

Get Your Washington Food Manager Certification Today — Fully Approved, Fully Online, and Valid Across All Washington Counties.

Food Manager Reviews

4.9

Vector (3)
9,185 reviews
4.9
4.9 out of 5 stars (based on 9,185 reviews)
Excellent93%
Very good5%
Average1%
Poor0%
Terrible1%

Good Course

February 7, 2026

Recommend

Deanna E.

very easy to understand

February 7, 2026

Complete and helpfull course full of important information.

Lucia R.

Wonderful

February 7, 2026

Good experience

Genevieve R.

Great course

February 7, 2026

Great course, simple, direct and educational.

Gabriel

No Title

February 6, 2026

The content is clear, engaging, and easy to follow, with practical examples that make it feel relevant to real food service situations. It’s not boring or overly technical, and the interactive format helps keep you focused all the way through. You can move at your own pace, which makes it even better. Overall, a solid and useful training that covers everything you need.

Curtis

Easy to understand

February 6, 2026

I really enjoyed taking this course through AAA Food Handler. The course was easy to follow and understand, most of all it was easy to navigate online.

Daisy M.

Food Manager Training

February 6, 2026

Interesting training on food/kitchen management. I will be supervising a parish kitchen where we bring in vendors and ministries to offer our parishioners and students food throughout the week. Some areas didn’t necessarily apply to our kitchen but overall very informative.

Erin R.

It was good

February 6, 2026

Kelli

5 stars

February 6, 2026

i am happy with my review

vanessa V.

No Title

February 6, 2026

Mary M.

No Title

February 6, 2026

Kevin R.

No Title

February 6, 2026

Scarlett S.

Manager

February 6, 2026

it was excellent

Andimore

Clear and Easy to follow

February 6, 2026

The training was thorough and easy to understand. I appreciated the quiz checkpoints to review main points from the section. I would recommend this course to someone else.

Aurora P.

Detailed and Great for note taking

February 6, 2026

Very detailed and great for note taking. I like how everything is set up so I can go back and access anything I want again.

lora A.

LOVED THIS SO HELPFUL

February 6, 2026

THE COURSE WAS SO HELPFUL. VERY UNDERSTANDING. YOU COULD PAUSE AND GO BACK. ALSO LOVED THE PACE YOURSELF .

JOYCE S.

Overall review

February 6, 2026

Covered all the bases and had interactive questions during every module.

Regina Z.

Food Manager Training

February 6, 2026

Great learning course. Straight to the point and visuals make it easy to learn

Jericho

No Title

February 6, 2026

Debbie P.

Best course ever

February 6, 2026

This course taught me everything I need to know on managing a business and it is thorough and easy to understand. It helped me a lot.

Laura G.