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United States · Exam

Where to study for the food manager exam

You can study for free with the FDA Food Code, but most people take a course. ServSafe’s online course takes about 8 hours, and other accredited providers offer similar courses, often for less. Before you buy, make sure your state or local health department accepts that provider’s exam. We checked each option’s price and what’s included in October 2026.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Official and free

FDA Food Code 2026

Official · PDF
Price
Free
Free to use
The whole code, with annexes explaining the reasons behind each rule

This is the source behind every food protection manager exam. It’s long and legal, so use it to check facts rather than to study from start to finish. Chapters 2 to 4 cover most of the exam.

FDA Food Code 2026 (PDF) ↗Summary of 2026 changes ↗

Checked October 2026

ServSafe Manager Online Course

Official · online course
Price
$125 course only, $179 with the online proctored exam
Free to use
Nothing

About 8 hours in 10 modules, in English, Spanish and French Canadian. The $179 bundle includes the exam with ProctorU online proctoring. Courses expire a year after purchase.

Course and exam bundle ↗All online products ↗

Checked October 2026

ServSafe Manager Book, 9th edition

Official · book
Price
$54.99, or $75.99 with a paper exam answer sheet
Free to use
Nothing

The official study guide for ServSafe Manager, also sold in Spanish. Good if you’d rather study on paper or are taking a class that uses it.

Books and exams ↗

Checked October 2026

National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP)

Official · exam and study materials
Price
$81.99 for a Pearson VUE ICFSM exam voucher
Free to use
Nothing

An ANAB-accredited alternative to ServSafe. The exam has 80 questions and is valid for up to five years. You can take it online through ProctorU, at a Pearson VUE center or with a local proctor. Study materials come in English and Spanish.

Food Safety Manager certification ↗FAQs ↗

Checked October 2026

Apps and websites

Always Food Safe

Website · video course and exam
Price
From $65 for the food manager course and exam
Free to use
One free exam retake

ANAB-accredited. Video-based training in 10 chapters, then a remotely proctored exam from home, in English or Spanish. The certificate is valid for five years.

Website ↗

Checked October 2026

StateFoodSafety

Website · online course and exam
Price
Varies by state; shown after you pick your state
Free to use
Practice tests included with the training

About 8 hours of lessons you can start and stop. You can take the proctored exam online or in person, and choose from several languages after you buy.

Website ↗

Checked October 2026

Learn2Serve by 360training

Website · online course and exam
Price
$65 training only, $121 training plus accredited exam
Free to use
Nothing

ANAB-accredited exam. In October 2026 the site said its online proctoring was temporarily unavailable, so check before you buy if you want to test from home. There’s a Spanish option for Texas.

Website ↗

Checked October 2026

In person

ServSafe classes and registered proctors

In person · class and exam
Price
Set by each instructor; the exam access code is $38.99
Free to use
Nothing

Use ServSafe’s Find a Class tool to find a local instructor or proctor. Check that the instructor is genuinely registered with ServSafe before you pay.

Find a class ↗

Checked October 2026

Pearson VUE test centers

In person · test center
Price
$108.99 for ServSafe Manager; $81.99 for the NRFSP ICFSM voucher
Free to use
Nothing

A quiet, proctored room if you don’t want to test at home. Both ServSafe and NRFSP offer exams at Pearson VUE centers. Missing your appointment or canceling within 24 hours can cost you the exam fee.

ServSafe exam products ↗NRFSP voucher ↗

Checked October 2026

Explore

Everything else, in one place

OverviewFood manager certification examQuestions and pass markHow many questions are on the ServSafe Manager exam, and what score do you need?CostHow much does ServSafe Manager certification cost?Online examCan you take the ServSafe Manager exam online?Study guideServSafe Manager book and other study guidesPractice testFood manager practice test
Sources: ServSafe, National Registry, ANAB and 2 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.