Escambia County · Florida-approved
Florida Food Manager Certification in Pensacola, FL
Get your ServSafe® Food Manager certification in one day: a five-hour review with a Certified ServSafe® Instructor and the proctored ServSafe® exam, close to home for food service managers across Escambia County.
Next Pensacola class
Pensacola · Class & exam
Your $168 registration includes
- Downloadable study guide in English and Spanish, updated with the most recent FDA Food Code revisions
- 24-hour online access to course materials and an 80-question practice exam before class
- Five-hour classroom review in English with a Certified ServSafe® Instructor
- The proctored ServSafe® Food Manager exam, same day, in your choice of six languages
- A printable certificate, nationally recognized and valid for five years
Can’t make a Pensacola date? The next classes in Panama City are shown with the Pensacola dates, and you can reschedule for free up to 72 hours before class.
“We choose FSA Training because of their professionalism, friendly and prompt service. One call is all it takes with FSA!”
Every class is led by a Certified ServSafe® Instructor, an industry professional with decades of experience in foodservice management and food safety training.
Escambia County
Local compliance in Pensacola & Escambia County.
Food businesses in Pensacola and Escambia County are inspected by one of three state agencies, depending on the type of operation (see below). Inspectors evaluate food handling practices, sanitation procedures, and staff training. Having a Certified Food Protection Manager who has passed the ServSafe® exam helps reduce violations and demonstrates a commitment to food safety.
Florida law requires most food establishments to employ a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) and have one present whenever food is being prepared. Many Pensacola operations certify several managers to cover extended hours, sick days and vacations.
Who inspects food businesses in Escambia County
Restaurants, food trucks & caterers
Florida DBPR, Division of Hotels and Restaurants
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation inspects most standard restaurants, mobile food units, caterers and other public food service establishments.
Grocery & retail food
FDACS, Division of Food Safety
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services inspects supermarkets, grocery and convenience stores, bakeries, coffee shops, and retail meat and seafood markets.
Schools & institutions
Florida Department of Health in Escambia County
The county health department inspects food service in schools, nursing homes, civic and fraternal organizations, bars and lounges without full kitchens, and other institutions, through the state’s Food Safety and Sanitation Program. Hospitals and nursing homes are also overseen by the Agency for Health Care Administration.
Not a manager? Staff who work with food need Florida Food Handler training instead.
How it works
Getting certified in Pensacola is simple.
Register for a Pensacola class
Book online or call 888-372-3232. Your confirmation includes links to download the FSA study guide in English or Spanish.
Prepare before class
Read the study guide and complete the practice exam, even if you’re recertifying. It’s the best way to pass on the first attempt.
Attend the five-hour review
Presented in English by a Certified ServSafe® Instructor and Exam Proctor with real-world hospitality experience.
Take the exam the same day
The paper-and-pencil exam follows the class and must be completed within two hours. A score of 70% passes.
Get your certificate
Exams are graded by the National Restaurant Association. Once results are in, we email your ServSafe® certificate to you.
What you’ll learn
The essentials of running a safe kitchen.
The Florida-approved course covers the food safety principles every manager is responsible for.
- Time & temperature control (TCS foods)
- Preventing cross-contamination
- Cleaning & sanitizing
- HACCP principles
- Preventing foodborne illness
- Common food allergies
- Employee health & hygiene
- Proper food handling & storage
The exam at a glance
- 80
- Scored questions (plus 10 unscored pilot questions)
- 70%
- To pass: at least 56 of 80 correct
- 2 hrs
- Time limit; most finish in about 75 minutes
- 6
- Exam languages available
ServSafe® is owned and administered by the National Restaurant Association. The exam is ANSI ANAB certified and accepted nationwide.
Your instructors
Learn from people who’ve run restaurants.
Every class is led by a Certified ServSafe® Instructor with decades of real-world hospitality experience, so the material is explained the way it’s likely to play out in real life.
A certified ServSafe® Instructor and Registered Exam Proctor for three decades.
30+ years in hospitality leadership, including VP of Food & Beverage at MGM Grand Las Vegas.
20+ years in restaurant operations and training, formerly a Learning & Development Director for national chains.
Built restaurants from fast food to fine dining, and served on the National Restaurant Association board.
Created a culinary arts program with ServSafe® certification for his local technical high school.
Learned the business working in his father’s restaurants; now leads the FSA Training team.
What clients say
Trusted by Florida restaurant groups since 2007.
“As our restaurants expand in Florida we have counted on FSA Training since 2007 to provide our food managers with the certification they need. Our managers have a very high pass rate and enjoy the convenience of FSA’s central classes and private group training.”
“As a supervisor of many restaurants, it used to take many steps to arrange attendance for my managers in a class. With FSA one e-mail is all it takes! It saves so much time and energy.”
“The employees we have sent to train with FSA have translated that knowledge into action to improve operations and protect our brand.”
Food Manager certification in Pensacola
Frequently asked questions
Still unsure? Call 888-372-3232 or email questions@fsatraining.com.
Where are Food Manager classes held in Pensacola?
In a professional hotel meeting room in the Pensacola area. The venue, its address and a directions link are shown with each date above and in your confirmation email.
Is Food Manager certification required in Escambia County?
Yes. Florida law and the FDA Food Code, which Florida has adopted, require most food establishments to have a Certified Food Protection Manager, present whenever food is being handled. Depending on the type of business, inspections in Escambia County are carried out by the DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants (restaurants, food trucks and caterers), the FDACS Division of Food Safety (grocery and retail food) or the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (schools and institutions).
What if I can’t make a Pensacola date?
The next classes in Panama City are shown with the Pensacola dates above. After you register, you can reschedule to another class for free up to 72 hours before class, right from your confirmation email.
How much does the class cost?
$168 per student, including the downloadable study materials, the five-hour class and the proctored ServSafe® exam. Private classes at your location are $160 per student plus an instructor fee.
Can you hold a private class at our Pensacola location?
Yes. A dedicated instructor comes to your restaurant or facility anywhere in Escambia County, and the discussion centers on your operation. Request a quote or call 888-372-3232.
What is the ServSafe® Food Manager exam like?
The exam has 90 questions, 10 of which are unscored pilot questions. A score of 70% or higher, at least 56 of 80 correct, is required for a certificate. The time limit is 2 hours; most people finish in about 75 minutes.
How long is the certification valid?
The National Restaurant Association sets a five-year standard, which Florida accepts. Local, county, municipal or employer rules can differ, so check with your local regulatory authority.
What happens if I fail the exam?
You can arrange with our office to attend another class and retest for $79. You can take the test twice within a 30-day period, then you must wait 60 days to take it again. You are allowed 4 attempts in a year.
Other locations
ServSafe® Food Manager classes across Florida.
We hold monthly classes in cities across the state. See every date, or choose a city:
Private classes in Escambia County
Certify your whole team.
A dedicated instructor at your facility, run the same way as our public classes.
- $160 per student, plus instructor fee
- Scheduled around your business, at your location
- Discussion centered on your own operation
- Online exam option with results right after class
- One organizer link to add or change your attendees
Every attendee receives:
- A downloadable study guide in English and Spanish, updated with the most recent FDA Food Code revisions
- 24-hour online access to course materials and an 80-question practice exam before class
- A five-hour review with a Certified ServSafe® Instructor
- The proctored ServSafe® Food Manager exam, same day, in a choice of six languages
- A printable certificate, nationally recognized and valid for five years
Pensacola, your certification is one day away.
Escambia County restaurants and caterers: class and proctored exam together, without the drive to another city.