Who Needs a Texas Food Manager Certification?
In Texas counties with a population of at least 4 million, state law requires food establishments to have at least one certified food manager on staff. Our Texas DSHS-approved training program and certification exam make it simple for businesses and food employees to earn their certification and meet this requirement.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), food managers are supervisory employees with management responsibility and the authority to direct and control the safe preparation and service of food. Anyone seeking to become a certified food manager must complete the Texas Certified Food Manager Exam.
Certified Food Manager Course Details
This 100% online course will help you fully prepare to pass the state exam and earn your food manager certification. While the state does not require any training before the exam, it is strongly recommended and can increase your chances of passing the first time.
Our Texas DSHS-accredited training program covers all of the topics found on the exam. It is designed not only to help you pass, but also to fully understand the requirements and responsibilities of a certified food manager.
The 14-hour training program covers a wide range of topics on safe food management, including:
- Causes and prevention of foodborne illness
- Food safety standards for storage, preparation and service
- Food service facility requirements
- Permits, inspections and other management practices
- Advantages of a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Plan (HACCP)
You can immediately download your certificate of completion after you finish the training program and pass each section quiz. This certificate of completion proves that you finished a Texas DSHS-accredited training program, but it is not an official food manager certification. You will need to pass the Texas Certified Food Manager Exam to earn your certification.
Food Manager Course Outline
The Texas Certified Food Manager Training Program contains six learning modules, and each section ends with a 10-question knowledge review. You need a quiz score of at least 70% to complete each module, and you have an unlimited number of attempts to pass. The course does not have a final exam.
Module 1: Foodborne Diseases
- Food Hazards
- Foodborne Pathogens
- Causes and Prevention of Foodborne Disease
- Common Foodborne Diseases
Module 2: Food Protection
- Food Safety Standards
- Food Stages
- Food Protection in Purchasing and Transportation
- Food Protection in Receipt and Storage
- Food Protection in Location and Preparation
- Food Protection in Sale and Service
Module 3: Food Handler Practices
- Good Hygienic Practices
- Preventing Contamination from Food Workers
- Cross Contamination
- Time and Temperature Control
Module 4: Food Service Facilities
- Water, Plumbing and Waste
- Facility Construction
- Maintenance and Housekeeping
- Special Food Establishments
Module 5: Management Practices
- Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
- Regulatory Authority
- Food Permits
- Management Practices
- Health Inspections
- Self-Inspections
Module 6: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)
- Developing a HACCP Plan
- HACCP Principles
- The HACCP Process
- Advantages of the HACCP Plan
- HACCP Case Study
About the Texas Certified Food Manager Exam
The Texas Certified Food Manager Exam includes 75 multiple-choice questions. You have a total of 90 minutes to complete the exam. Questions are presented one at a time, and you can review any questions you previously answered. You must score at least 70% to pass the exam and earn your food manager certification. You have up to two attempts to pass the exam. If you do not achieve a passing score after two tries, you will need to re-register for the exam and start again from the beginning.
All questions are developed using a widely accepted systematic process that ensures the relevance, accuracy, readability and technical quality of each individual question. Questions are pulled from a robust question bank, guaranteeing that questions will vary from one exam to the next. While each exam is unique, all exams provide a fair and equal assessment of your knowledge of up-to-date food safety requirements.
Exam Topics
Below is an overview of the topics covered on the Texas Certified Food Manager Exam. The table lists each topic area covered along with the percentage of questions asked on each topic.
| Topic | % |
| Foodborne Diseases | 23% |
| Food Protection | 33% |
| Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Plan (HACCP) | 12% |
| Physical Facility Design and Maintenance | 11% |
| Active Managerial Control | 21% |
Course Certificate
You will be able to instantly download your Texas Food Manager Certification after you successfully pass the exam. Your food manager certificate will remain valid for five years from the date you passed the exam. If your certification period is nearing expiration and you wish to become recertified, you must retake the Certified Food Manager exam.
Identity Validation Requirements
The Texas Certified Food Manager Exam uses identity validation techniques to ensure each student completes the test without assistance. Before you begin the exam, you will be asked to answer ten personal security questions about yourself. These questions will appear randomly throughout the exam, and you will have 90 seconds to answer each questions correctly.
Failure to answer a personal security question correctly within the time requirement will result in examination failure. If this occurs, your exam will end automatically. Within your account, you will have the option to re-register at no cost and attempt the exam again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the food manager certification course and exam approved by Texas DSHS?
Yes, our food manager training program and certification exam are both approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Am I required to complete food manager training before taking the certification exam?
The state of Texas strongly recommends that all food managers complete an accredited food manager training program before they take the Certified Food Manager exam. However, this training is not a requirement for certification. If you have adequate knowledge of the food safety management topics covered on the exam, you can get certified by passing the exam alone.
How long is Texas food manager certification valid?
Your food manager certificate will be valid for five years, and you can download it immediately after passing the state certification exam. To remain certified, you will need to retake the exam before your current certification expires.
Who is required to take the Food Manager Exam?
Anyone who wishes to be a Certified Food Manager in Texas must successfully pass the Texas Certified Food Manager Exam. The Texas Department of State Health Services requires all applicable food establishments to have at least one food manager on staff under Rule 229.177 of the Texas Administrative Code.
How long is the food manager training course?
The Food Manager Certification Training Program takes about 14 hours to complete. You may log in and out whenever you like. The system will save your progress, so you can resume your training exactly where you left off.
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