California is currently home to approximately 109,000 restaurants and cafés, including more than 30,000 quick service restaurants (QSRs). These establishments, along with any others that prepare, handle or serve food, are all governed by strict food safety regulations designed to protect customers from foodborne illnesses and allergic reactions.
As part of these regulations, it is mandatory for all food managers and supervisors in the state to obtain Food Protection Manager Certification through the completion of an ANAB-CFP accredited program every five years. Non-compliance can lead to potential public health risks, as well as fines, legal action and reputational harm.
If you supervise food handling activities in your workplace, Food Protection Manager Certification is essential. Read on to explore the training and certification process in detail, including steps to comply with state legislation. When you are ready to start your training, our Food Protection Manager Program will be waiting for you.
The Role of a Food Protection Manager
A Food Protection Manager plays a crucial role in ensuring that all food served by their establishment is safe to eat. This responsibility typically involves creating and implementing food safety procedures that comply with legal standards—something that requires a robust understanding of food safety practices and their application in the workplace.
Anyone undertaking this role in the state of California must first obtain certification through a government-approved Food Protection Manager program in order to demonstrate their proficiency in the areas described above.
Becoming a Certified Food Protection Manager in California
Food Protection Manager Certification demonstrates to regulators, employers and the public that you possess the necessary skills to keep food safe and prevent foodborne illness. To achieve certification in California, you must pass a certification exam that meets strict government standards.
The Userve Food Protection Manager Certification Exam is designed to assess your knowledge of food safety in alignment with the most recent FDA Food Code and the standards set by the Conference for Food Protection (CFP).
California Food Protection Manager Course
The Food Protection Manager training course is the starting point for successful food safety management, providing you with the fundamental knowledge and skills you need to implement effective food safety policies and procedures. The objective of the course is to help you make better-informed decisions, adapt to emerging challenges and establish a reputation for exceptional food safety.
After completing the California Food Protection Manager Course, you will be well-equipped to identify potential food safety risks and prevent them from causing harm to consumers. In addition to gaining a solid understanding of foodborne hazards and contamination, you will also learn about the crucial role that proper storage, cooking, cleaning and sanitizing practices play in keeping customers safe.
The course helps improve your management skills too, enhancing your ability to supervise Food Handlers and ensure that food safety procedures are adhered to throughout your establishment.
Userve’s Food Protection Manager Course includes 29 interactive lessons, covering key topics ranging from food allergies and allergen management to pest control and waste disposal:
- Your Role as Food Manager
- Biological Contamination
- The Big 6 - Viruses
- The Big 6 - Bacteria
- High-Risk & TCS Foods
- Other Types of Food Contamination
- Foodborne Illness Management
- Food Allergies & Allergen Management
- Personal Hygiene
- Hand Washing & Workplace Behavior
- Uniforms & Hair Care
- Illness & Onsite Injuries
- Time & Temperature Control
- Cleaning & Sanitizing
- Cleaning Methods
- Front of House
- Cleaning & Sanitizing Products
- Food Premises & Equipment
- Utilities
- Pest Control & Waste Disposal
- Introduction to HACCP
- 5 Preliminary HACCP Steps
- 7 HACCP Principles
- Receiving Food Deliveries
- Cold & Frozen Storage
- Dry Storage
- Freezing, Thawing & Preparing Food
- Cooking, Cooling & Reheating Food
- Serving & Displaying Food
There are no prerequisites for participating in the California Food Protection Manager Course, meaning it is open to anyone who is interested in improving food safety in their workplace.
Although participants typically hold senior positions within their organizations (such as business owners, restaurant managers and shift supervisors), the Food Protection Manager Course also offers an opportunity for those looking to further develop their food safety skills to advance their careers.
California Food Protection Manager Exam
To become a certified Food Protection Manager in California, you must demonstrate that you meet the required level of competency by passing a Food Protection Manager Exam that is part of an ANAB-CFP accredited program. This online assessment will verify your knowledge on various topics covered in the Food Protection Manager Course. These topics include:
- Cleaning and Sanitizing
- Facility and Equipment Maintenance
- Food Preparation
- Food Safety Systems
- Foodborne Illness
- Health and Hygiene
- Purchasing and Receiving
- Regulatory Enforcement and Compliance
- Safe Storage and Transport of Food
The California Food Protection Manager Exam delivered by Userve is nationally accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and complies with the CFP Standards for Accreditation of Food Protection Manager Certification Programs.
This proctored exam is in a multiple-choice format, and a score of at least 70% is required to pass, with additional attempts available if needed.
The examination process is recorded and monitored by a proctor who will observe you via a webcam to ensure no misconduct or cheating occurs.
Certification
Once you have successfully passed the exam, you can request your Food Protection Manager Certificate via your Userve account. The certificate will then be delivered to your registered email address within an hour, provided that all verifications are successfully completed.
Certification demonstrates to regulators, employers and the public that you are dedicated to food safety and possess the minimum knowledge required to keep food safe and protect consumers from foodborne illness.
In California, Food Protection Manager Certificates are valid for five years, after which recertification is required.
Remember, Food Protection Manager Certification is about more than simply passing an exam; it’s your opportunity to put essential food safety principles into practice and create an environment that prioritizes customer well-being.
Userve is committed to helping you achieve certification as a Food Protection Manager, offering a comprehensive Food Protection Manager Course and ANAB-CFP accredited certification exam that ensures compliance with laws and regulations in the state of California.
Start the certification process by signing up for the California Food Protection Manager Course & Exam today! Need advice? Get in touch with our expert team; they will be happy to help.
