Does Mississippi require a food manager certification?
Yes, and Mississippi’s requirement predates most other states’ — it’s been in effect since 1998, well before the state’s own Food Code chapter formally adopted the FDA model. Under 15 Miss. Code R. 13-75-2.2.3: “the permit holder, or his/her designee, must have successfully completed a manager certification course approved by the Regulatory Authority.”
That’s been the rule “for any new facility from July 1, 1998,” and for existing facilities since January 1999 — historical effective dates, not future deadlines. Every covered establishment should already be in compliance.
Presence and the certification duty, together
The same provision also sets the presence rule: “the permit holder shall be the person in charge or shall designate a person in charge and shall ensure that a person in charge is present at the food establishment during all hours of operation.” Mississippi ties both requirements — presence, and course completion — to the same person: the permit holder or their designee.
⚠️ “Approved by the Regulatory Authority” — read that phrase carefully
This is the detail most likely to trip people up, and it’s worth being precise about. Most states we’ve covered require certification from “an accredited program” recognized under a national standard — meaning any program holding the right accreditation qualifies automatically. Mississippi’s rule doesn’t use that language. It requires a course “approved by the Regulatory Authority,” which reads as the Mississippi State Department of Health making its own approval determination, not simply recognizing any nationally accredited program by default.
The course content requirement gives some guidance on substance — “this course shall include knowledge as specified in 2-102.11,” referencing the Food Code’s demonstration-of-knowledge content areas — but that describes what the course has to teach, not which specific providers Mississippi has approved. Before enrolling in any course to satisfy this requirement, confirm directly with the Mississippi State Department of Health that the specific course is currently approved — don’t assume that a program’s national accreditation automatically satisfies Mississippi’s separate approval requirement.
Where to get certified
Given the state-approval language above, we’re not asserting that any specific provider is pre-approved for Mississippi without direct confirmation. EduClasses / FMC Food Managers Certification is accredited under the ANAB-CFP Accreditation Program, which satisfies the requirement in most states that use an open national accreditation standard. Whether it’s currently approved specifically for Mississippi is something to verify with the Department before you pay.
Does this apply in Hinds County?
Yes — Mississippi’s food manager certification requirement is a statewide rule (Mississippi Food Service Sanitation Law and Regulations). The same requirement applies in Jackson (Hinds County), Gulfport and Biloxi (Harrison County), Hattiesburg (Forrest County), and every other county in the state. No county in Mississippi issues a separate local food manager certification. An ANAB-CFP accredited certificate from any provider qualifies statewide.
Renewal and recertification
Food manager certifications are typically valid for 5 years. Renewal requires retaking an accredited exam — there is no shortened recertification pathway that replaces the full exam. Start the renewal process 60–90 days before your expiration date to avoid scheduling delays that could put your establishment out of compliance.
If your certification has already lapsed, you can retake the exam immediately with no waiting period. EduClasses offers an online renewal prep course that’s shorter than the initial course and focused on updated regulations.
Summary
| Question | Mississippi |
|---|---|
| Certified manager required? | Yes — the permit holder or their designee |
| In effect since | 1998 (new facilities) / 1999 (existing facilities) |
| Presence required at all hours? | Yes |
| Course approval standard | “Approved by the Regulatory Authority” — confirm directly, don’t assume national accreditation alone qualifies |
| Governing rule | 15 Miss. Code R. 13-75-2.2.3 |
Looking for individual worker training instead? See Mississippi 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.
Practice test and study materials
Before sitting the exam, a timed practice test is the most reliable way to find weak spots. EduClasses includes chapter quizzes and a full-length practice exam in their online prep course — see the food manager certification course.
Comparing states? See food manager certification requirements for all 50 states — the rules differ more than most people expect.
Frequently asked questions
Does Mississippi require a food manager certification?
Yes. Mississippi’s certified manager requirement predates most other states’ versions — it was adopted before the national model code moved in the same direction.
Does Mississippi also require a food handler card?
No. Mississippi does not require individual food service workers to hold any card or certificate. The only credential state law requires is one certified food manager per food facility.
Which certification programmes does Mississippi 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.