Last verified: September 2026 against 7 Pa. Code § 46.1201 and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Confirm with PDA or your local health department before paying.
Does Pennsylvania require a certified food manager?
Yes. Pennsylvania’s requirement comes directly from a dedicated statute — the Food Employee Certification Act — implemented through 7 Pa. Code § 46.1201. It has a distinctive presence rule: the certified employee doesn’t always need to be physically on site, only “immediately accessible.” Pennsylvania also requires the original certificate to be posted publicly — not just available for inspectors.
The mandate
The Food Employee Certification Act requires that a retail food facility have at least one employee who holds a valid certificate present at the retail food facility or immediately accessible at all hours of operation and who is the person in charge of the retail food facility when physically present and on duty.
This sets two standards depending on whether the certified employee is on site: they must be present or immediately accessible at all hours, but when physically present they are the person in charge. Pennsylvania is more flexible than states requiring strict on-site presence at all hours — a certified manager who is reachable by phone satisfies “immediately accessible” — while still ensuring a certified person is reachable at all times.
Accreditation standard
§ 46.1201(b):
For purposes of compliance with the Food Employee Certification Act, the Department recognizes certification programs, including examinations developed under those programs, that are evaluated and listed by an accrediting agency that has been recognized by the Conference for Food Protection as conforming to the Conference for Food Protection Standards for Accreditation of Food Protection Manager Certification Program.
This is the standard ANAB-CFP model used by most states. Pennsylvania also publishes its own recognised-program list annually in the Pennsylvania Bulletin (§ 46.1201(d)) — confirming a specific provider is on that list before enrolling is the safest approach, though any current ANAB-CFP accredited program should qualify.
The certificate must be posted publicly
Pennsylvania goes further than most states on documentation — § 46.1201(c):
A retail food facility shall post the original certificate of its certified employee in public view at its business location.
This is stricter than the typical “available on request” standard: the original certificate must be displayed where the public can see it. A photocopy in a binder does not satisfy this requirement. When a certified employee leaves and a replacement is certified, the new original certificate must be posted. Some operators frame the certificate and post it near the entrance or at the service counter to comply.
Grace period for new establishments
The Food Employee Certification Act provides a compliance window for newly permitted facilities — new establishments typically have up to 90 days from the date of permitting to obtain a certified employee. Confirm the current grace period with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, as enforcement timelines can be updated by regulation.
How to get certified in Pennsylvania
Use any provider on the Department of Agriculture’s current recognised-program list — or any ANAB-CFP accredited program, which is the same standard. The process:
- Choose an accredited provider — see the comparison table below. Verify the provider appears on PDA’s current recognised-program list if you want certainty.
- Complete the study course — self-paced online, typically 8–15 hours covering all six exam domains.
- Pass the proctored exam — 80 questions, 2-hour time limit, 75% passing score, closed-book. Remote proctoring via webcam is available from all major providers.
- Post the original certificate — display it in public view at your facility as required by § 46.1201(c).
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, handwashing, bare-hand contact rules
- Temperature control — cooking temperatures, cooling parameters, cold and hot holding limits
- Cross-contamination prevention — storage order, allergen management, surface sanitation
- Cleaning and sanitizing — chemical concentrations, contact times, ware-washing procedures
- Pest control and facilities — exclusion, approved materials, plumbing 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.
County enforcement: Allegheny, Philadelphia, Lehigh
Pennsylvania has several local health departments that operate independently of PDA. Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) and Philadelphia have their own health codes — confirm requirements directly with the Allegheny County Health Department or Philadelphia Department of Public Health if your facility is in either jurisdiction, as local rules may differ from the state standard. Lehigh County and most other Pennsylvania counties are regulated by PDA directly under 7 Pa. Code § 46.
Renewal
Pennsylvania food manager certifications are valid for 5 years. Renewal requires passing the full accredited exam again. Update the posted certificate when the renewed one is issued — displaying an expired certificate does not satisfy § 46.1201(c). Most providers offer a refresher study course for renewal candidates that is shorter than the initial course.
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 Pennsylvania accept certifications earned in other states?
Yes — as long as the program is on PDA’s recognised-program list or is ANAB-CFP accredited. The certificate is valid in Pennsylvania regardless of which state you were in when you sat the exam.
What does “immediately accessible” mean in practice?
Pennsylvania has not published a specific definition of “immediately accessible” in the regulation. In practice, it means the certified manager can be reached quickly — typically by phone — and can return to or direct operations remotely if needed. A certified manager who is completely unreachable (out of the country, off-grid) likely does not satisfy the standard. When in doubt, contact PDA for current guidance.
What if our certified manager leaves the company?
The facility is out of compliance once the last certified employee departs and no replacement is in place. Remove the expired employee’s certificate from public display and work quickly to certify a replacement. PDA inspectors will look for the posted certificate — an absent or expired one will trigger a violation.
Can a photocopy of the certificate be posted?
No — the rule requires the original certificate. Keep the original displayed and store a copy in your records separately.
Summary
| Requirement | Pennsylvania’s rule |
|---|---|
| Certified food employee on staff | Required — at least one, per the Food Employee Certification Act |
| Presence requirement | Present at the facility, or immediately accessible, at all operating hours |
| Certificate display | Original certificate must be posted in public view — photocopies do not satisfy this |
| Accreditation standard | ANAB-CFP / PDA recognised-program list |
| 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 |
| Allegheny / Philadelphia | Separate local health departments — confirm requirements directly |
Looking for the worker card instead? See Pennsylvania Food Handler Card.