We all know that restaurants and other establishments that serve or prepare food are required to have a Minnesota certified food protection manager on staff to ensure that the food they prepare is safe and that sanitation procedures are being properly followed. However, there is often some confusion as to what paperwork needs to be filed with the health department and when you have to document proof of a passed food protection manager exam. In order to clear up some of the confusion, let’s take a closer look at what steps CFPMs must take after gaining their food protection manager certificate.
How to File Your Food Protection Manager Certificate With The State
Every once in a while, we run across students who pass the certified food protection manager exam and are unclear if there’s anything else necessary in order to be properly certified. Simply taking in-person or online food safety management training and gaining your certificate is not enough to completely comply with the Minnesota food code. Candidates who pass their initial exam or complete a renewal course must complete the paperwork with the Minnesota Department of Health, and they have a limited time to do so.
Once you’ve passed the exam, you must fill out an initial CFPM application if this is your first submission or a CFPM renewal application when renewing your certificate. These then must be mailed to the department of health at the address listed on the application form. Included in the application should be a copy of proof of attending at least four hours of food management training or successful completion of the CFPM exam.
The exam certificates have expiration dates that are up to five years, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have five years to send a copy of your certificate to the Minnesota Health Department. Most food management exam programs are accepted in multiple states, so the expiration date on your certificate does not give you added time to submit your CFPM application. The state of Minnesota requires the application to be submitted with six months of passing the course.
We’ve been asked if there is anything that can be done if this deadline is missed, and unfortunately, if you forget to apply before the six months is up you must repeat the course and retake the exam. Don’t frame your food protection manager certificate immediately or leave it in a drawer to be forgotten, make sure you file your CFPM application with the state as soon as possible after successful training.
