Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) – The Certification Process
By taking the 8-hour class and passing the certification exam you become “ServSafe certified” – meaning you passed the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification exam, showing you have enough book knowledge to run your food business in a way that you can make good decisions to keep the food safe. The only way to re-certify your ServSafe is to take the exam every five (5) years.
Most states now require that at least one person, (usually a manager) who can influence the flow of food in the kitchen, has a certificate from one of the CFP-ANAB-approved testing companies. There are several choices, but we currently use ServSafe as it is most-widely recognized and it meets the needs of all our customers.
Some states centralize the state certification process and require you to send a copy of the certificate to them to validate that you met the requirement. Then your health inspector doesn’t have to worry about which certificate works, they only have to look for one. Other states leave it to the inspector to make the determination during their inspection.
Wisconsin and Iowa
Post your in-force Certified Food Protection Manager certificate in a place that allows for Public viewing.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) requires a person to file an in-force Certified Food Protection Manager certificate from one of the CFP-ANAB-approved testing companies such as ServSafe.
You have just (6) months from your examination date to submit for entry into the MN CFPM Registry – if you fail to submit in time, you will be required to sit for class and take the ServSafe CFPM Examination once again.
MN CFPM Certification – Initial Registration
If you have never been a Registered Minnesota CFPM
- Attend a FSG Initial ServSafe Food Manager class and pass the ServSafe Food Manager examination*.
- Complete your MN CFPM registration online at this link: https://mn-mdh.portal.opengov.com/categories/1087/record-types/6498
- Click on the blue box that says Apply Online and follow the steps to complete the registration process.
- If you have questions, you must contact the MN CFPM Program at: (651) 201-4500 to leave a detailed message for a callback – this is a recording line only; or you can send an email to: fmc@state.mn.us.
* Apply for entry into MDH’s CFPM Registration Database no more than six months after passing the exam.
MN CFPM Certification – Registration Renewal
A MN CFPM Registration expires three (3) years from the effective date. To renew a MN CFPM Registration:
- Attend a FSG “MN CFPM Registration Renewal” in-person class or 4-hour Webinar. Your training must occur prior to your Registration’s expiry date.
- After class or webinar completion, FSG will issue your 4-hour/4-CEUs in Food Safety “MN CFPM Registration Renewal Certificate” and send it to you as an email attachment.
- You must now submit your digital FSG-issued Certificate to MDH via their online portal. Mailed-in paper applications are no longer accepted and will be returned to you.
You have six months from the date of class to submit proof you attended training prior to your Registration’s expiry date.
- If you did not receive an email or paper letter from MDH instructing you to renew your Registration, you must call and leave a message on their recorded line. You can read about the process here: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/food/cfpm/howto.html, scroll down to “Renew Minnesota CFPM”.
- Call and leave a message requesting a callback: (651) 201-4500.
- Or, you can send email to: fmc@state.mn.us
- Only MDH can provide you with your “Claim Code” that must be entered when you configure your online account within their registration portal. You will be required to upload the digital Certificate that we issued to you upon class/webinar completion, and pay the required fee.
- Once you receive an emailed letter from MDH, or your record has been entered or updated in the MN CFPM Registry, the process is complete.
Initial class
The 8-hour course uses the ServSafe book and materials published by the National Restaurant Association. This course will absolutely satisfy the requirements for any state that necessitates management certification. We teach the full day and then give the exam at the end.
We don’t sell you short on class time. We go through the materials with two things in mind: your certification test at the end of the day, and your ability to comply with your health department when you run your business. We are forbidden from looking at test questions and from teaching to the test. We take that seriously.
Recertification Class
To renew your certification status in Iowa and Wisconsin, the requirement is to pass the exam again. That means in these states every 5 years you will need to take the ServSafe exam (or equivalent) and pass.
In Minnesota you are not required to take Food Manager Certification test again, but you must engage in ongoing education to maintain your MN CFPM Registration with MDH. You must earn 4 hours of class time, within 3 years of your Registry’s expiration date, to maintain your MN CFPM Registration, as required by the MN Food Code. Most people will come to one of our already-scheduled classes and attend the first 4 hours. All of our Instructors are qualified with MDH to teach the renewal.
Prior to registering for a MN CFPM Registration Renewal class or webinar, please verify you meet the criteria set by MDH. You can do this by entering your name into MDH’s “Search for Certified Food Protection Managers in Minnesota” to search the current database to confirm your Registration with MDH. You cannot apply for a renewal if you are not listed. Once you verify you are current with MDH, you can register for a MN CFPM Registration Renewal class or webinar by providing your CFPM# and expiry date of your current MN CFPM Registration. If you do not meet the necessary criteria for renewal, please register as an Initial Certification student.
Class FAQs
How long is each class?
- Class hours are from 8:00 am- 4:00 pm, test immediately follows;
- Recertification 8:00 am – 12:00 pm.
- Test only, arrive no later than 2:30 pm, test at or before 4:00 pm.
Where is class held?
- You will receive an email with the exact location of the class at the time you register.
What should I bring?
Initial Certification
- Photo ID: You must have a picture ID to be able to take the exam.
- Book with Answer Sheet: Contact us if your book does not have an answer sheet inside the front cover. We will have to make arrangements to have one for you.
Recertification
- Old Book: If you have your old book around, bring it along. You might decide you need to purchase an updated copy. You can do that prior to class here.
Retest/Test Only
- Photo ID: You must have a picture ID to be able to take the exam.
- Answer Sheet: If you do not have an answer sheet, we will have to provide one for you.
Business Cards
- Classes are great for networking!
What is your refund policy?
- Please call or email by 9:00 am on the class day.
- Every effort will be made to match you up with an appropriate replacement class in the event of a company or student emergency, turnover, or class cancellation.
- If a credit cannot be used, we will refund the cost of the registration, less class materials (book) and postage, if sent.
- Refunds are made upon request prior to the day of the class.
- No call, no show, no refund.
- Emergencies on the day of the class will be addressed as needed.
How Many CFPMs Do I Need?
Ask yourself the following questions:
What is the state requirement?
State requirements vary. Sometimes a local requirement is more stringent than what the state requires. Check with your state’s Health Department website or your inspecting sanitarian.
What does the parent corporation require?
Some corporations have requirements that exactly match the states they are in while some have a different approach to required training and certification. Check with your parent corporation to understand their policies and procedures.
How often will my CFPM be on site?
Responsibilities vary with job descriptions.
Have you chosen the right person to be certified?
The closer you get to immediate supervision of the flow of your food, the better chance you can eliminate or control risks to the food.
How is my management tenure?
In the event you find yourself without a CFPM on staff, there is generally a short grace period to get that person replaced or train someone else. In Minnesota, you have 60-days to hire or train a CFPM. If you are seeing lack of a CFPM on repeat health inspections, you probably want to invest a little and make sure that does not happen the next time.
Whatever your need and staffing, it is the goal of Food Safety Guy to make it as easy as possible for you to be compliant with your state, your parent company, or your own comfort level.