ServSafe FAQ
1What is ServSafe manager certification?
The ServSafe Manager Certification verifies that a manager or person-in-charge has sufficient food safety knowledge to protect the public from foodborne illness. Individuals that successfully pass the 90-question, multiple-choice exam will receive a ServSafe Manager Certification and wallet card. The ServSafe Manager Certification is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under the Conference for Food Protection Standards.
The purpose of the certification program is to protect public health. It teaches food safety risks and ways to prevent foodborne illnesses. You need to be able to apply this knowledge when serving food.
The Person in Charge makes sure the establishment meets food safety codes. They must be able to recognize safety hazards and take steps to correct them
The purpose of the certification program is to protect public health. It teaches food safety risks and ways to prevent foodborne illnesses. You need to be able to apply this knowledge when serving food.
The Person in Charge makes sure the establishment meets food safety codes. They must be able to recognize safety hazards and take steps to correct them
2What is the difference between ServSafe Manager certificate and ServSafe Food Handler certificate?
The ServSafe Manager Certification verifies that a manager or person-in-charge has sufficient food safety knowledge to protect the public from foodborne illness. Individuals that successfully pass the 90-question, multiple-choice exam will receive a ServSafe Manager Certification and wallet card. The ServSafe Manager Certification is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under the Conference for Food Protection Standards.
The ServSafe Food Handler Certificate verifies basic food safety knowledge and is for individuals in food handler employee-level positions. Upon successful completion of the ANSI ASTM 2659 accredited Food Handler course and 40-question exam, the employee will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the National Restaurant Association that can be printed from a secure section of the website.
The ServSafe Food Handler Certificate verifies basic food safety knowledge and is for individuals in food handler employee-level positions. Upon successful completion of the ANSI ASTM 2659 accredited Food Handler course and 40-question exam, the employee will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the National Restaurant Association that can be printed from a secure section of the website.
3What certification I need in Massachusetts to run a restaurant or food business?
You have to get certified as a food manager to get a food service permit. You'll need to pass an accredited exam such as ServSafe Food Safety Manager to get certified.
If you serve food at your business, you must have a certified food manager working for you. Certification is part of the process for getting a food service permit. The only businesses that don't need to get certified are:
To learn more visit following website:
https://www.boston.gov
If you serve food at your business, you must have a certified food manager working for you. Certification is part of the process for getting a food service permit. The only businesses that don't need to get certified are:
- temporary food vendors
- daycares that only serve snacks
- businesses that only sell pre-packaged food
- businesses that serve food that needs little preparation and doesn't pose a health risk, and
- businesses that serve US Department of Agriculture meat and poultry that have 120 parts-per million of nitrate and 3.5 percent brine — like hot dogs.
To learn more visit following website:
https://www.boston.gov
4How do I become ServSafe food safety certified
To become ServSafe Food Safety certified, you must pass the ServSafe Manager Certification Exam with a score of 75% or higher. For your ServSafe Certification to be recognized by your state or local health department, you must also meet your local regulatory requirements. To book training and certification exam click here
5Can I do food handler course instead of food safety manager?
In Massachusetts you need Food Safety Manager certification to operate a food business. Food handler certificate does not meet regulatory requirement.
The ServSafe Food Handler Certificate verifies basic food safety knowledge and is for individuals in food handler employee-level positions. Upon successful completion of the ANSI ASTM 2659 accredited Food Handler course and 40-question exam, the employee will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the National Restaurant Association that can be printed from a secure section of the website.
The ServSafe Manager Certification verifies that a manager or person-in-charge has sufficient food safety knowledge to protect the public from foodborne illness. Individuals that successfully pass the 90-question, multiple-choice exam will receive a ServSafe Manager Certification and wallet card. The ServSafe Manager Certification is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under the Conference for Food Protection Standards.
Disclaimer: All information is believed to be accurate at the time provided. No warranty of accuracy is given. Contact your local health department to confirm the regulatory requirement.
The ServSafe Food Handler Certificate verifies basic food safety knowledge and is for individuals in food handler employee-level positions. Upon successful completion of the ANSI ASTM 2659 accredited Food Handler course and 40-question exam, the employee will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the National Restaurant Association that can be printed from a secure section of the website.
The ServSafe Manager Certification verifies that a manager or person-in-charge has sufficient food safety knowledge to protect the public from foodborne illness. Individuals that successfully pass the 90-question, multiple-choice exam will receive a ServSafe Manager Certification and wallet card. The ServSafe Manager Certification is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under the Conference for Food Protection Standards.
Disclaimer: All information is believed to be accurate at the time provided. No warranty of accuracy is given. Contact your local health department to confirm the regulatory requirement.
6How do I get re-certified for food safety manager?
You must retake the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Examination before your current ServSafe Certification expires. To book training and certification exam click here
7How long does ServSafe manager certification last?
ServSafe manager certificate is valid for five years.
8Do I have to attend ServSafe Manager training? Can I just take test?
In Massachusetts training is not a requirement. You can study on your own and just do the test.
9Can I do ServSafe manager online test at my home or office?
No. You cannot take Food Protection Manager exam at home. A registered proctor needs to be present to administer the exam. We offer testing at our Boston and Woburn office.
10How many questions in ServSafe test? What is passing score?
The ServSafe® Examination has 90 multiple-choice questions. Answer all 90 questions. A passing score is 75 percent or better.
11What if I fail? Can I retake it for free? When can I retake?
You can retest if you did not pass the examination. Retake is not free. You will have to pay to retake the exam. You can retake exam immediately or whenever you are ready.
If you don't pass on your second attempt, you must wait at least 60 days from your most recent attempt before taking the exam again.
If you don't pass on your second attempt, you must wait at least 60 days from your most recent attempt before taking the exam again.
12Do you have any practice test or sample questions?
Actual ServSafe® Examination has 90 multiple-choice questions. Click on the link below to access practice test.
Practice test
Practice test
13How long is the ServSafe manager online course?
ServSafe Manager Online Course: 8-10 hours in length. Online course is available in English and Spanish languages.
14Do I have to purchase book for the test?
Recommended but not required. Our packages include free study materials and access to practice test.
15I lost my ServSafe certificate. How do I get another copy?
To print copy of your ServSafe certificate visit ServSafe.com > Log in to your account > Select the View or Print my Certificate option on the My Certificates page under the Student menu.
If you can't remember your user name or password contact ServSafe to retrieve it.
Phone: 800-765-2122
Email: ServiceCenter@restaurant.org
Fax: 866-665-9570
Text: 800-765-2122
Available Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. (U.S. Central Standard Time)
Phone: 800-765-2122
Email: ServiceCenter@restaurant.org
Fax: 866-665-9570
Text: 800-765-2122
Available Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. (U.S. Central Standard Time)
16I changed my job, do I need to redo the certification?
No. Certificate is for you (individual) and not for the business. Your certificate goes with you. If you need a new copy of your certificate print it from ServSafe.com. If you have forgot your user id/password contact Servsafe.
Phone: 800-765-2122
Email: ServiceCenter@restaurant.org
Fax: 866-665-9570
Text: 800-765-2122
Available Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. (U.S. Central Standard Time)
Email: ServiceCenter@restaurant.org
Fax: 866-665-9570
Text: 800-765-2122
Available Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. (U.S. Central Standard Time)
17ServSafe® - How can I find a course, instructor or proctor
Boston Food Safety provides Servesafe instructor-led classroom course or online course for food safety training. We also provide proctor service for the certification exams. We have two locations for the in person course and proctored exams.
Boston: 265 Franklin st, Boston, MA 02110.
Schedule: Every Monday 6:00 PM or later
Woburn: 800 West Cummings Park, Suite 5500, Woburn, MA 01801
Schedule: Monday through Saturday: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. (pick your time.)
Servsafe exams are 90 multiple choice questions and it usually takes about an hour or 90 minutes to finish the exam. Passing score is 75% or higher.
To book proctored exam click here
18ServSafe® - How can I find an instructor-led class and exam?
