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Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification confirms you have the knowledge to oversee food safety in a food service establishment. If you supervise Food Handlers or manage daily food operations, Userve’s Food Protection Manager Program can help you meet regulatory expectations and perform your role with confidence.
What Does a Certified Food Manager Do?
About the Userve Food Protection Manager Program
Userve Food Protection Manager Course
Userve Food Protection Manager Exam
Is CFPM Certification a Legal Requirement?
How Long Does CFPM Certification Last?
What is CFPM Certification?
CFPM certification verifies that you understand food safety principles and can apply them to manage food handling operations safely and effectively.
CFPM certification can be achieved online by completing the Userve Food Protection Manager Program and passing the Food Protection Manager Certification Exam. Passing this exam confirms that you meet the knowledge standards expected of a Food Manager responsible for protecting public health in your state.
What Does a Certified Food Manager Do?
A certified Food Manager plays a critical leadership role in any food service operation. While Food Handlers focus on individual tasks, Food Managers oversee systems, people and procedures that keep food safe from delivery through to service.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Supervising food handling activities across all areas
- Monitoring employee hygiene and illness policies
- Managing time and temperature controls
- Ensuring proper cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting practices
- Identifying food safety risks and correcting issues quickly
- Supporting compliance during health inspections
CFPM certification helps ensure you are prepared to make informed decisions that protect customers and your business.
About the Userve Food Protection Manager Program
Food safety management requires more than common sense. It requires structured training that explains why hazards occur and how to prevent them. The Userve Food Protection Manager Program is designed to give you that foundation.
Through guided instruction and practical examples, the program helps you:
- Understand food safety risks and how they develop
- Apply food hygiene principles consistently
- Supervise Food Handlers more effectively
- Build a food safety culture in your workplace
By completing the Userve FPM Program, you demonstrate your commitment to food safety and your ability to oversee safe food operations.
Userve Food Protection Manager Course
The Userve Food Protection Manager course includes 29 interactive lessons that walk you through essential food safety topics that reflect the responsibilities of a certified Food Manager.
Training is completed online, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Each lesson is followed by a multiple-choice quiz to check your understanding of each topic.
Lessons:
- 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
This broad coverage of topics ensures you are well prepared for both the exam and day-to-day food safety management.
Userve Food Protection Manager Exam
To obtain CFPM certification, you must pass an exam that assesses your understanding of food safety principles based on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code and standards set through the Conference for Food Protection (CFP).
Userve’s ANAB-CFP approved certification exam includes 75 multiple-choice questions designed to test your knowledge of key food safety topics, including:
- Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting
- 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
Multiple attempts are available if required, and once you pass the exam, you can request your Food Protection Manager Certificate through your Userve account. Certificates are typically delivered by email within an hour once verification is complete.
Is CFPM Certification a Legal Requirement?
Food Protection Manager certification requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction in the United States. Many states require food establishments to have at least one certified Food Manager on staff, especially in supervisory roles.
Failing to meet these requirements can lead to:
- Failed inspections
- Fines or penalties
- Temporary closures
- Reputational damage
Reminder: Always confirm Food Manager certification requirements with your local health department, as rules can differ by location.
How Long Does CFPM Certification Last?
CFPM certification earned through Userve is generally valid for five years, though renewal requirements may vary by state. Because food safety regulations evolve, recertification ensures your knowledge stays current.
Ongoing learning helps you:
- Stay aligned with regulatory updates
- Respond to new food safety risks
- Maintain strong food safety systems
- Continue leading with confidence
Obtain Your CFPM Certification Today
CFPM certification is more than an exam result. It reflects how you manage food safety every day and how you protect the people you serve.
Userve’s Food Protection Manager Program is designed to support compliance and practical application. If you supervise food handling activities or plan to step into a management role, this program gives you the tools to succeed.
Start your Food Manager certification and journey today by enrolling in the Userve Food Protection Manager Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Userve Food Protection Manager Exam take?
The Food Protection Manager Certification Exam is completed online and has a 90-minute time limit.
Can I retake my Food Manager Exam if I do not pass?
Yes, multiple attempts are available during your 12-month enrollment period. There is a time delay of 24 hours between the first and second attempt and then 7 days between each subsequent attempt.
If you do not pass, Userve will provide feedback to help you prepare for another attempt.
Does CFPM certification replace Food Handler training?
No. Food Handler training is typically required for frontline staff, while CFPM certification applies to supervisory and management roles. Learn more about the differences in Userve’s course comparison blog - Comparing Courses: Food Protection Manager vs. Food Handler.
