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Best dietary manager certifications
The best certifications for a dietary manager are Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), ServSafe Alcohol, and Certified Food Manager (CFM).
Dietary manager certifications demonstrate your competency as a dietary manager to employers. However, not all dietary manager certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best dietary manager certifications. Obtaining a dietary manager certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
9 best certifications for dietary managers
| Rank | Dietary manager certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) | ANFSP |
| 2 | ServSafe Alcohol | National Rest... |
| 3 | Certified Food Manager (CFM) | IFSEA, MCFE |
| 4 | Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) | ANFSP |
| 5 | ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification | National Rest... |
| 6 | Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) | BCNS |
| 7 | Food Safety Manager Certification | NRSFP, FSMC |
| 8 | Certified Manager Certification (CM) | ICPM |
| 9 | Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS) | NEHA |
9 best dietary manager certifications
1. Certified Dietary Manager (CDM)
The Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) program is one of the most popular benefits of membership in ANFP. By earning your CDM certification, you will join the top levels of nutrition and foodservice managers in the field. It can advance your career and open many new opportunities for employment!
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
2. ServSafe Alcohol
The ServSafe Alcohol program outlines effective responsible alcohol service practices for all front-of-the-house staff, including bartenders, waiters, hosts, busers, security and valets.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
3. Certified Food Manager (CFM)
These certifications test beyond culinary skills, but rather, focus on the skills needed for the food service professional seeking a management and executive career. These certifications test your knowledge from basic cooking to menu design, management, human resources, accounting and marketing.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
4. Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP)
A certified dietary manager, certified food protection professional (CDM, CFPP) has the education, training, and experience to competently perform the responsibilities of a dietary manager and has proven this by passing a nationally-recognized credentialing exam and fulfilling the requirements needed to maintain certified status.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
5. ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification is nationally recognized and accredited. ServSafe has always set the standard in food safety training and certification.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
6. Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)
Certified Nutrition Specialist professionals are on the front lines battling the epidemic of obesity and chronic disease, and the BCNS supports these efforts and certifies nutrition professionals who maintain the highest standard of nutrition competence.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
7. Food Safety Manager Certification
The National Registry's Certified Food Safety Professional examination has been developed following the strictest test development procedures. The Certified Food Safety Manager examination is accredited by the American National Standards Institute using standards set by the Conference for Food Protection.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
8. Certified Manager Certification (CM)
The Certified Manager Animal Resources (CMAR) certification program is designed to raise competency and professionalism in the field of Animal Resources Management. The CMAR designation involves a series of four examinations: three exams arranged via an organization called the Institute for Certified Professional Managers (ICPM), and the Animal Resources Exam offered by AALAS. Obtaining the CMAR designation is a sign of professionalism in the field of animal resources management.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
9. Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS)
The Certified Professional - Food Safety is for food safety professionals and is designed for individuals within the public and private sectors whose primary responsibility is the protection and safety of food. The exam for this prestigious credential integrates food microbiology, HACCP principles and regulatory requirements into questions that test problem solving skills and knowledge.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for a dietary manager?
The best dietary manager certification is Certified Dietary Manager (CDM). The Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) is awarded by the Association of Nutrition and Food Service Professionals. The advanced certification is for more experienced employees as it often requires some work experience to acquire.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this dietary manager certification:
- To become a certified Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for dietary managers?
The most in-demand dietary manager certification is Certified Dietary Manager based on all active job postings. Having this dietary manager certification will give you access to more dietary manager jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a dietary manager career and salary?
The Certified Dietary Manager certification will help you to secure a food service director position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A food service director's average salary is $58,953 whereas dietary managers make an average salary of $42,856.
The most common combination of dietary manager certifications include: Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), ServSafe Alcohol, and Certified Food Manager (CFM).
Online courses for dietary managers to earn certifications
1. Aligning Diet and Exercise
When considering body composition goals, modifications to both diet and exercise are inevitable. Most often, an individual’s dietary interventions do not align with their exercise regimen, which may diminish the potential for success. This course explores the energy pathways and how macronutrients fuel exercise across intensity and duration, in addition to popular dietary interventions and their alignment with exercise recommendations. After completing this course, students will have a clear...
2. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System
Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...
3. Fun food safety and sanitation course
The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...
4. Vegan Nutrition: Build Your Plant Based Diet & Meal Plan
Learn How To Set Up A Vegan Diet For Weight Loss, Building Muscle, Healthy Eating, Meal Planning & Vegan Bodybuilding...
5. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors
The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...
6. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Diet Planning
Learn how to Create Your Clients(or your)perfect diet and nutrition plan based on their goals, preferences and lifestyle...
7. Nutrition Certification: Advanced Diet & Meal Planning
Advanced Diet And Nutrition Coach Strategies Dieting Certificate For Meal Plans, Fat Loss, Health & Sports Nutrition...
8. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Keto Dietary Advisor
The Only Course you will need to become a Master Keto Coach...
9. Cook Real Food: How to Make Simple Plant-Based Meals
Learn how to cook whole plant foods to make quick, easy, and healthy vegan meals for practical everyday eating...
10. SAP Customer Service (CS/SM) - Service Management module
Real World SAP CS and SD, Repair Orders, Service Orders, Service Contracts...
11. Food Photography: Capturing Food in Your Kitchen
With DIY Food Photography, you'll be taking better photos in no time with what you have in your own kitchen!...
12. ISO 22000 (HACCP and PRPs) for Food Safety
Standards, analysis, control points, and risk management related to ISO 22000 for food industry professionals...
13. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
14. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer
Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...
15. Diploma Certificate in Dietary Supplements Advisor
Become an advisor/expert in selecting the best supplements for weight loss, muscle building and for good health...
16. Customer Service
How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...
17. Fundamentals of Logistics, Supply Chain & Customer Service
Learn Logistics, Supply Chain and Customer Service. 3 Courses in 1...
18. Eat Real Food: How to Eat a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet
Learn how to be a healthy vegan or vegetarian in a holistic way for best health, weight, and wellbeing...
19. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience
Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...
20. Get to Know Your Food: Claims, Labels & Ingredients
Learn how to make the healthiest and best food choices amidst processed and packaged foods...