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Food-safety certification

Arizona Food Handler & Manager Certification

What food-safety certification Arizona requires — the employee food handler card and the manager (CFPM) certification — who needs each, accepted programs, cost and renewal.
Educational summary, not legal advice — requirements change and localities can add their own; confirm with your health authority.

Food handler card

Required?
varies by locality — No single statewide law, but nearly every county requires all food handlers to hold a food handler card, typically within 30 days of hire. State law requires any county with a training requirement to accept ANAB-accredited courses and caps the fee.
State card
No single state card — county programs; ANAB-accredited courses accepted statewide.
Accepted programs
ServSafe Food HandlerStateFoodSafetyLearn2Serve/360trainingeFoodHandlersany ANAB-accredited provider
Typical cost
$8-15 (state law caps at $15)
Valid for
3 years · Retake an accredited course before the card expires
When to get it
Typically within 30 days of hire (set by county)
Local exceptions
Maricopa County (Phoenix), Pima County (Tucson), Coconino, La Paz and most other counties each require a food handler card; requirements administered at county level.
Governed by
County health departments (e.g., Maricopa County Environmental Services); Arizona Dept. of Health Services sets the ANAB-acceptance/fee-cap framework

Source: official page

Effectively required across the state, but the legal requirement lives at the county level.

Manager certification (CFPM)

Required?
varies by locality — No statewide CFPM mandate; requirement is set by county health departments (e.g., Maricopa County requires at least one CFPM per establishment).
Accepted exams
ServSafe ManagerNational Registry (NRFSP)Prometric (PFM)360training/Learn2ServeStateFoodSafety
How many
Where required locally, at least one CFPM on staff (Maricopa)
On-site during hours?
No
Valid for
5 years · Retake an ANSI-CFP accredited exam before the 5-year expiration
Local registration
Maricopa County requires a CFPM who is physically present during operation or reachable by phone/electronic means; Pima and other counties set their own rules.
Governed by
County/local environmental health (e.g., Maricopa County Environmental Services)

Source: official page

Arizona delegates retail food regulation to county health departments; requirements vary.

Opening in Arizona? See Arizona food-business requirements, the inspection self-audit, and Arizona cottage food law if you're starting from home.

Frequently asked

Do I need a food handler card in Arizona?
It varies within Arizona (varies by locality) for a food handler card. No single statewide law, but nearly every county requires all food handlers to hold a food handler card, typically within 30 days of hire. State law requires any county with a training requirement to accept ANAB-accredited courses and caps the fee. A card usually costs $8-15 (state law caps at $15) and is valid for 3 years.
Does Arizona require a certified food protection manager?
It varies within Arizona (varies by locality) for a certified food protection manager (CFPM). No statewide CFPM mandate; requirement is set by county health departments (e.g., Maricopa County requires at least one CFPM per establishment). Certification is typically valid for 5 years.
What's the difference between a food handler card and a manager certification in Arizona?
A food handler card is an entry-level credential for employees who handle food — a short course and quiz. A manager (CFPM) certification is a more rigorous, proctored exam (like ServSafe Manager) held by a person responsible for food safety at the establishment. Many states require the manager credential even where they don't require handler cards for every employee.
Which food safety courses are accepted in Arizona?
Accepted programs are ANSI-accredited providers such as ServSafe, StateFoodSafety, National Registry, Prometric, and 360training/Learn2Serve, plus any state-specific card where one exists. Confirm the current accepted list with your health authority before paying.
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