Tennessee does not require a certified food protection manager. A person in charge must be present whenever the establishment is open and shows knowledge one of three ways: no priority violations at the inspection, a food protection manager certificate from an ANAB accredited program, or correct answers to the inspector’s questions. The certificate is the surest route and some metro health departments expect one.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Your county health department, under rule 1200-23-01-.02.
Sources and dates
Department of Health demonstration of knowledge fact sheet (2026 rule change); rule 1200-23-01-.02. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Tennessee does not require a certified food protection manager.
Yes. Tennessee does not require a certified food protection manager.
Yes. Tennessee does not require a certified food protection manager.
Yes. Tennessee does not require a certified food protection manager.
Yes. Tennessee does not require a certified food protection manager.
Yes. Tennessee does not require a certified food protection manager.
Yes. Tennessee does not require a certified food protection manager.
Yes. Tennessee does not require a certified food protection manager.
Yes. Tennessee does not require a certified food protection manager.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Tennessee it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
Your county health department, under rule 1200-23-01-.02.
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a person in charge in Tennessee? | DoorWorthy
