Does Colorado require a food manager certification?
Yes. Colorado doesn’t write its own management-and-personnel rules — it adopts the FDA Food Code directly. 6 CCR 1010-2.6(A)(1) incorporates by reference the “Food Code, 2022 Recommendations of the United States Public Health Service/Food and Drug Administration.” Colorado’s own regulation contains no separate definitions for “certified food protection manager” or “person in charge” at all; both terms are governed entirely by the incorporated 2022 Food Code text.
Only four narrow carve-outs — none touch the manager requirement
Colorado excludes exactly four provisions from what it incorporates, and the rule states this explicitly: “these regulations do not incorporate by reference” a list that covers pet dogs on patios, preoperational inspections, the permit-to-operate section, and the inspection-and-correction-of-violations section. That’s it. The certification requirement, FDA Food Code §2-102.12, isn’t on that list, so it applies exactly as the model code wrote it:
“The PERSON IN CHARGE shall be a certified FOOD protection manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an ACCREDITED PROGRAM.”
Who’s exempt
The Food Code’s own exemption carries through unamended: “This section does not apply to certain types of FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS deemed by the REGULATORY AUTHORITY to pose minimal risk of causing, or contributing to, foodborne illness.” That determination is made by the regulatory authority — Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment, or a delegated local agency — not something you decide for yourself.
No separate Colorado fee, validity term, or presence rule
Some states that adopt the FDA Food Code layer their own rules on top — a specific renewal fee, a set validity period, or a presence-during-hours requirement. Colorado’s retail food establishment regulation doesn’t do any of that here. We checked the regulation’s own definitions section specifically for Colorado-added language about certified managers and found none — the state simply defers to the incorporated Food Code text in full, without amendment or addition on this point. Whatever the 2022 Food Code itself specifies for validity and renewal is what applies.
Where to get certified
Because the requirement is “a test that is part of an ACCREDITED PROGRAM,” any nationally accredited food protection manager certification program qualifies. Colorado doesn’t maintain a closed, state-specific vendor list.
EduClasses / FMC Food Managers Certification is accredited under the ANAB-CFP Accreditation Program. Check current status on ANAB’s accredited-program directory before enrolling.
Summary
| Question | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Certified manager required? | Yes — the person in charge, per the 2022 FDA Food Code as adopted |
| Colorado-specific amendments to the manager rule? | None found |
| Exemptions | Minimal-risk establishments, as determined by the regulatory authority |
| Accreditation | Any accredited food protection manager certification program |
| Governing rule | 6 CCR 1010-2.6, incorporating the 2022 FDA Food Code |
Looking for individual worker training instead? See Colorado Food Handler Card.
Or compare every state we have covered so far on the food manager certification by state index.
Provider and cost comparison
All major national providers are accredited under the ANAB-CFP standard and accepted in most states. Remote proctoring via webcam is available from every provider — no travel to a testing centre required.
| Provider | Exam only | Course + exam | Remote proctoring | Retake policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ServSafe (NRA) | ~$36 | ~$150–$180 | Yes | Separate fee per attempt |
| StateFoodSafety | ~$69 | ~$99 | Yes | Free retake with some packages |
| Prometric (NRFSP) | ~$99 | ~$149 | Yes | Separate fee per attempt |
| Learn2Serve (360training) | ~$59 | ~$99 | Yes | Free retake included |
| Always Food Safe | ~$55 | ~$95 | Yes | Varies by package |
What the exam covers
All ANAB-CFP accredited exams test the same six core domains regardless of provider:
- Employee health and hygiene — illness exclusion, handwashing, bare-hand contact rules
- Temperature control — cooking temperatures, cooling parameters, hot and cold holding limits
- Cross-contamination prevention — storage order, allergen management, surface sanitation
- Cleaning and sanitizing — chemical concentrations, contact times, ware-washing
- Pest control and facilities — exclusion, approved materials, plumbing basics
- HACCP principles — hazard analysis, critical control points, corrective actions, record-keeping
80 questions, 2-hour time limit, 75% passing score, closed-book, proctored. Certification is valid for 5 years in most states; some states (Hawaii, South Dakota) require renewal sooner.
Comparing states? See food manager certification requirements for all 50 states — the rules differ more than most people expect.
Frequently asked questions
Does Colorado require a food manager certification?
Yes. Colorado adopts the 2022 FDA Food Code directly. Its own regulation contains no exception or modification to the mandatory certified manager provision in Chapter 2.
Does Colorado also require a food handler card?
Colorado requires individual food handler cards separately from the manager certification. The food handler card is a worker-level requirement; the manager certification is a facility-level requirement for the person in charge.
Which certification programmes does Colorado accept?
Any programme accredited under the national ANAB-CFP standard. All five major providers listed above qualify. Check the current approved list with your state health authority before enrolling, as state lists can change.
What is the difference between a food handler card and a food manager certification?
A food handler card is a worker-level credential — typically $10–$20, a short online course, no proctored exam. A food manager certification is a facility-level management credential — $90–$180, a rigorous proctored 80-question exam covering six food safety domains, valid for 5 years in most states.