The exam
ServSafe Manager exam
Format, study categories and how the food-safety certifications compare.
About the exam
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 90, of which 10 are unscored pilot questions |
| Passing score | 70% or higher (at least 56 of 80 scored questions) |
| Time listed by ServSafe | 2 hours |
| Manager certification valid | 5 years |
Figures are as published by ServSafe. ExamReady is independent practice material and is not the official exam. Confirm current details with ServSafe. servsafe.com.
Study categories
ExamReady's own study categories, not an official ServSafe blueprint.
Study categories in the question bank
- Food Safety: Hygiene
- Food Safety: Temperature
- Food Safety: Cooling
- Food Safety: Sanitizing
- Food Safety: Receiving
- Food Safety: Allergens
- Food Safety: Facility
- Food Safety: Hazards
- Food Safety: Management
- Food Safety: Regulation
Who certifies
ServSafe Manager is issued by the National Restaurant Association (ServSafe). Other food-safety and alcohol-service certifications have their own issuers:
Compare certifications
| Certification | Issuer | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| ServSafe Manager | National Restaurant Association (ServSafe) | See servsafe.com | 5 years (recognized by the National Restaurant Association) |
| ServSafe Food Handler | National Restaurant Association (ServSafe) | See servsafe.com | 3 years (recognized by the National Restaurant Association) |
| ServSafe Allergen | National Restaurant Association (ServSafe) | See servsafe.com | 3 years (recognized by the National Restaurant Association) |
| ServSafe Alcohol | National Restaurant Association (ServSafe) | See servsafe.com | 3 years (recognized by the National Restaurant Association) |
| CFM — Certified Food Manager (NRFSP) | National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) | See nrfsp.com | Up to 5 years (your regulator may require sooner) |
| ANSI Food Manager Certification | ANAB-accredited providers (varies by provider) | Varies by provider | Set by each provider (commonly up to 5 years) |
| Food Safety Manager (eFoodhandlers / AboveTraining) | AboveTraining, eFoodhandlers, StateFoodSafety, 360training | Varies by provider | Set by each provider (commonly up to 5 years) |
| TIPS On-Premise Server | Health Communications Inc. / TIPS | See tipsalcohol.com | Set by TIPS and your state (commonly 3 years) |
| ServSafe Responsible Vendor / Vending Compliance | State alcohol-beverage control boards (course delivered via ServSafe or TIPS providers) | Varies by state | Varies by state |
Where a cost is not printed here, the issuer sets it. Verify costs and validity with the issuer before you register.
The simulator in the app
Practise against a clock that keeps running. You can change answers and mark questions until you finish, and review after you submit.
7 days free, then $9.99/month. Cancel anytime.