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State Cert Guide

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Do I need a food manager certification in Illinois?

Illinois law says each food service establishment must be under the operational supervision of a certified food service sanitation manager, following the rules made under the Act. To earn that title today, the law asks for a minimum of 8 hours of Department-approved training, exam included, and a passing exam score. Chicago maintains its own certification.

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The rule, fact by fact

Who needs it
Operational supervision by a certified food service sanitation managerThe law ties this to rules promulgated under the Act.
Verified. www.ilga.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Course hours
A minimum of 8 hours of Department-approved training, exam includedThe exam has to come from a provider accredited under Conference for Food Protection standards.
Same source and date as above
Valid for
Valid for 5 yearsThe exam provider issues the certificate, and it isn't transferable from the person it was issued to.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check whether your workplace is covered. The law says each food service establishment must be under the operational supervision of a certified food service sanitation manager, following the rules made under the Act. Read it at 410 ILCS 625/3. Chicago maintains its own certification, so ask the city which one applies to your job.

  2. Step 2. Pick approved training and an accredited exam. The Department accepts only training it has approved, and exams accredited under standards that the Conference for Food Protection or its successor has adopted. Ask any provider to show you both before you pay.

  3. Step 3. Finish the training and pass the exam. Since January 1, 2018, the law counts a person as a certified manager after at least 8 hours of approved training, exam included, and a passing score.

  4. Step 4. Keep your certificate. The exam provider issues it. It's valid for 5 years, and it isn't transferable from the person it was issued to. Set a reminder before it runs out.

Before you pay

Ask your employer first. Ask whether it pays for the training and the exam.

We haven't found a price for either on the pages we read, so ask the provider what you'll pay before you start.

Ask the provider to show that the training is approved and the exam is accredited.

If you work in Chicago, ask the city which certification applies to your job.

Questions

Is my old Illinois manager certificate still good?

If the Department issued it before January 1, 2018, it's valid until the expiration date stated on the certificate. Certificates that the exam provider issues are valid for 5 years.

Can I take the Illinois manager course online?

Possibly. IDPH says accredited courses may be available online, by local providers, or through some local health departments. Make sure the course is accredited before you pay.

Who answers questions about certified food protection managers in Illinois?

The IDPH Food Program takes them by email at DPH.Food@illinois.gov.

What to do next

Start with the law itself: 410 ILCS 625/3. Then read the IDPH page on certified food protection managers.

dph.illinois.gov

Sources we read