Last verified: September 2026 against Ark. Code R. 007.04.21-003 and the Arkansas Department of Health. Confirm with your local health authority before paying.
Does Arkansas require a certified food manager?
Yes. Arkansas writes its own version of the FDA Food Code’s Chapter 2 directly into state rule — including a stand-alone, explicit certified-manager mandate that goes beyond the standard “demonstration of knowledge” language most states rely on.
The mandate
Ark. Code R. 007.04.21-003, § 2-102.11(A):
At least one EMPLOYEE that has supervisory and management responsibility and the authority to direct and control FOOD preparation and service 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.
Newly permitted establishments get a grace period under the same section:
Establishments permitted after the effective date of this Rule have 12 months from date the permit is issued to comply with this section.
That 12-month window applies only to new establishments. Establishments that were already operating when Arkansas adopted this rule were expected to comply within a separate transition period. If you are opening a new food establishment in Arkansas today, you have one year from your permit date to have a certified manager on staff.
Exemption for minimal-risk establishments
§ 2-102.11(B) provides a limited exemption:
This section does not apply to certain types of RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS deemed by the REGULATORY AUTHORITY to pose minimal risk of causing, or contributing to, foodborne illness based on the nature of the operation and extent of FOOD preparation.
The rule specifically names prepackaged-food-only establishments and low-risk, non-time/temperature-control-for-safety-food establishments approved by the regulatory authority. In practice, the Arkansas Department of Health determines which operations qualify — if you think your establishment may be exempt, contact ADH before assuming you are.
Accreditation standard
§ 2-102.12(B) ties compliance to the national accreditation standard:
A RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT that has an EMPLOYEE that is certified by a FOOD protection manager certification program that is evaluated and listed by a Conference for Food Protection-recognized accrediting agency as conforming to the Conference for Food Protection Standards for Accreditation of Food Protection Manager Certification Programs is deemed to comply with Section 2-102.11.
This is the ANAB-CFP standard — any course that carries ANAB-CFP accreditation satisfies Arkansas’s requirement. Arkansas does not maintain its own approved-provider list; the national accreditation status is the standard.
Covering multiple departments on one premises
Arkansas allows a single person in charge to cover multiple separately permitted establishments — but only under narrow conditions, § 2-101.11:
designate a single PERSON IN CHARGE who is present on the PREMISES during all hours of operation, and who is responsible for each separately PERMITTED RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT on the PREMISES.
This covers only separately permitted units on the same physical premises — such as a hotel with multiple food outlets under one roof — not multiple locations across a city or region. Each separate physical location needs its own CFPM.
Getting certified in Arkansas
Because Arkansas relies on the national ANAB-CFP accreditation standard rather than a state-specific approved-provider list, you can use any of the major food manager certification providers. The process is the same regardless of which you choose:
- Choose an accredited provider — see the comparison table below.
- Complete the study course — self-paced online, typically 8–15 hours. No minimum study time is required but candidates who complete the full course pass at higher rates.
- Pass the proctored exam — 80 questions, 2-hour time limit, 75% passing score, closed-book. Remote proctoring is available from all major providers, so no travel to a testing site is required.
- Download your certificate — issued immediately on passing. Valid for 5 years.
Provider and cost comparison
| 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:
- Employee health and hygiene — illness exclusion policies, handwashing, bare-hand contact
- Temperature control — safe cooking temperatures, cooling parameters, cold and hot holding limits, the two-hour/four-hour rule
- Cross-contamination prevention — food storage order, allergen management, surface and equipment sanitation
- Cleaning and sanitizing — chemical sanitizer concentrations, contact times, manual and mechanical ware-washing
- Pest control and facilities — exclusion measures, approved materials, plumbing and ventilation basics
- HACCP principles — hazard analysis, critical control points, corrective actions, record-keeping
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.
Renewal
Food manager certifications in Arkansas are valid for 5 years. Renewal requires passing the full accredited exam again — there is no shortened renewal exam. Most providers offer a refresher study course for renewal candidates, which is shorter than the full initial course. If your certification lapses, you simply restart the process; there is no penalty for a gap under state rule, though the ADH expects covered establishments to maintain continuous compliance.
Start the renewal process 60–90 days before your expiration date — testing centers book up and a scheduling delay can put your establishment out of compliance. If your certification has already lapsed, you can retake the exam immediately with no waiting period. EduClasses offers a renewal prep course that’s shorter than the initial course and focuses on updated food safety regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Does Arkansas accept food manager certifications from other states?
Yes — the ANAB-CFP accreditation standard is national. A certificate earned in Texas or Tennessee is valid in Arkansas as long as it has not expired.
Does every employee need a food manager certification?
No. The rule requires at least one employee with supervisory and management responsibility to be certified. Front-line food handlers do not need a food manager certification — though Arkansas may separately require food handler training depending on the establishment type.
Does the certified manager have to be on-site at all times?
The rule requires the certified manager to be an employee with actual authority to direct food preparation. Arkansas does not explicitly require a CFPM to be physically present every hour of operation, but the Arkansas Department of Health’s enforcement posture is that the CFPM must be genuinely responsible for food safety — not simply a name on a certificate.
What happens if a certified manager leaves the company?
The establishment is technically out of compliance once the last CFPM leaves. Arkansas gives new establishments 12 months from permit issuance to obtain their first CFPM, but there is no explicit grace period for replacement. Contact the Arkansas Department of Health to understand current enforcement expectations if you face this situation.
What is the difference between a food handler card and food manager certification?
A food handler card is basic training for entry-level workers, typically costing $10–$20 with no proctored exam required. A food manager certification requires passing an accredited proctored exam, costs $90–$180, and is a management-level credential. Arkansas’s mandate requires the food manager certification — a handler card does not satisfy it.
Does this apply in Craighead County?
Yes — Arkansas’s food manager certification requirement is a statewide rule under the Arkansas Food Handler Act and Department of Health regulations. The same requirement applies in Jonesboro (Craighead County), Little Rock (Pulaski County), Fort Smith (Sebastian County), and every other county in the state. No county in Arkansas issues a separate local food manager certification. An ANAB-CFP accredited certificate from any provider qualifies statewide.
Summary
| Requirement | Arkansas’s rule |
|---|---|
| Certified food protection manager on staff | Required — at least one supervisory employee |
| Grace period for new establishments | 12 months from permit issuance |
| Exemptions | Prepackaged-food-only and approved low-risk establishments (ADH determines eligibility) |
| Accreditation standard | ANAB-CFP (any accredited provider valid — no state-specific list) |
| One manager, multiple units | Allowed only for separately permitted units on the same physical premises |
| Exam format | 80 questions, 2-hour limit, 75% passing score, closed-book |
| Remote proctoring | Available from all major providers |
| Certification validity | 5 years |
| Exam cost | ~$36–$99 exam only; ~$95–$180 with course |
Looking for the worker card instead? See Arkansas Food Handler Card.