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Washington State requires food establishments to have at least one Food Protection Manager with certification. This is achieved through the completion of a Food Protection Manager Program accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) in alignment with the Conference for Food Protection (CFP).
If you’re the designated Food Manager at your food establishment, here’s exactly what you need to do - and how Userve makes the process straightforward from start to finish.
Who Needs Food Manager Certification in Washington?
Food Manager Certification is the key credential you need to meet state requirements, demonstrate your food safety competency and protect your business from compliance violations.
Washington State requires food establishments to have at least one employee who is a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). This applies to restaurants, coffee shops, food service facilities and other establishments operating under a food establishment permit.
Local health jurisdictions across the state enforce compliance, and not having a CFPM on staff can result in violations during routine inspections.
As the designated Food Manager, it’s your responsibility to obtain and maintain valid food safety certification for Washington State - and to renew before your five-year certification expires.
How to Get Food Manager Certification in Washington
Step 1: Complete a Food Protection Manager Course (Recommended)
The Food Protection Manager Course is not mandatory in Washington, but completing one before your exam could significantly improve your chances of passing - and sets you up to manage food safety effectively once you’re certified.
Userve’s Food Protection Manager Course delivers structured, online training covering the food safety principles you need for day-to-day management. There are 29 interactive lessons to complete with a multiple-choice quiz at the end of each one:
- Your Role as Food Manager
- Biological Contamination
- The Big 6 - Viruses
- The Big 6 - Bacteria
- High-Risk & TCS Foods
- Other Types of Food Contamination
- Foodborne Illness Management
- Food Allergies & Allergen Management
- Personal Hygiene
- Hand Washing & Workplace Behavior
- Uniforms & Hair Care
- Illness & Onsite Injuries
- Time & Temperature Control
- Cleaning & Sanitizing
- Cleaning Methods
- Front of House
- Cleaning & Sanitizing Products
- Food Premises & Equipment
- Utilities
- Pest Control & Waste Disposal
- Introduction to HACCP
- 5 Preliminary HACCP Steps
- 7 HACCP Principles
- Receiving Food Deliveries
- Cold & Frozen Storage
- Dry Storage
- Freezing, Thawing & Preparing Food
- Cooking, Cooling & Reheating Food
- Serving & Displaying Food
The course is entirely online, self-paced and accessible from any device, so you can work through the material around your schedule.
Step 2: Pass the Food Protection Manager Certification Exam
Washington State requires you to complete an ANAB-CFP accredited exam. The Userve Food Protection Manager Exam meets this requirement by covering key food safety management topics.
The exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit. A score of 70% or higher is required to pass, and multiple attempts are available if you need to retake it. The exam is proctored remotely via your device’s camera, so you can complete it from home or your workplace without any disruption to operations.
Key topics include:
- Food Preparation
- Health and Hygiene
- Cleaning and Sanitizing
- Facility Maintenance and Equipment
- Foodborne Illness
- Purchasing and Receiving
Step 3: Receive your Food Protection Manager Certificate
Once you pass the exam, the final step is to request your Food Protection Manager Certificate through your Userve account. Your certificate will be delivered to your registered email address within 60 minutes, subject to ID verification. This document serves as proof of your certification and is valid for five years, after which renewal is required to remain compliant.
The Importance of Food Manager Certification
Earning Food Manager Certification in Washington isn’t just about compliance. The knowledge carries real operational benefits:
- Regulatory compliance - Keeps your establishment aligned with Washington State requirements and avoids violations during health inspections
- Reduced risk - A Certified Food Protection Manager can identify and address food safety hazards before they become serious incidents
- Customer trust - Guests and clients are more likely to trust businesses with certified food safety leadership
- Stronger team standards - Food safety knowledge flows down to your team, raising the overall standard of food handling practices across your operation
Discover 8 Ways a Food Protection Managers Can Make Dining Safer.
Get Food Manager Certification in Washington With Userve
Userve’s ANAB-CFP Accredited Food Protection Manager Program meets Washington State’s strict Food Manager Certification requirements. The course and exam are both completed entirely online, giving you the flexibility to certify on your schedule - no classroom, no travel, no loss of earnings.
Start your Food Manager Certification today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Food Manager Certification required in Washington State?
Yes. Washington State requires food establishments to have at least one certified Food Protection Manager on staff, with certification from an ANAB-CFP accredited program. Local health jurisdictions enforce this requirement.
Can I complete food safety certification in Washington online?
Yes. Userve’s Food Protection Manager Course and Exam are both delivered entirely online. The exam is remotely proctored, so no in-person attendance is required.
How long does Food Manager Certification last in Washington?
Certification is valid for five years. You’ll need to renew before it expires to maintain compliance with Washington State requirements.
How long does the Userve Food Protection Manager Exam take?
The exam is 90 minutes and includes 75 multiple-choice questions. A passing score of 70% or higher is required.
What if I don’t pass the Washington Food Manager Exam on my first attempt?
Mulltiple exam attempts are available through Userve. If you don’t pass the first time, you can retake the exam at your convenience.
