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Best Food Service Worker certifications
Food service worker certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an food service worker to employers. However, not all food service worker certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a food service worker are Certified Food Manager (CFM), OSHA Safety Certificate , and Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS).
Below is a list of the best food service worker certifications. Obtaining an food service worker certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
12 best certifications for food service workers
| Rank | Food Service Worker certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Food Manager (CFM) | IFSEA, MCFE |
| 2 | OSHA Safety Certificate | Delaware Tech... |
| 3 | Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS) | NEHA |
| 4 | Food Safety Manager Certification | NRSFP, FSMC |
| 5 | ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification | National Rest... |
| 6 | Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) | BCNS |
| 7 | Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) | ANFSP |
| 8 | EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) | EPA |
| 9 | Certified Service Manager | PSA |
| 10 | Human Services - Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP) | CCE |
| 11 | Certified in Hospitality, Nutrition, and Food Science (CFCS-HNFS) | AAFCS |
| 12 | Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE) | AHLAEI |
12 best food service worker certifications
1. 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)
2. OSHA Safety Certificate
This 40-hour program covers both the Construction 1926 and General Industry 1910 Standards, how to effectively interpret the Federal Register, health issues related to a work environment, recognition of physical hazards related to the violation of OSHA standards, and employer implementation of their own pro-active safety and health procedures.
- 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? No
- Renewal Required? No
3. 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)
4. 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)
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. 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)
8. EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA)
A comprehensive, equipment specific safety program designed to provide operators and their employees with a thorough understanding of best risk management practices. Industry accidents, which serve to put a spotlight on potential issues, can often be avoided through the utilization of proper risk management techniques.
- 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 Service Manager
- 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 4 year(s)
10. Human Services - Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP)
- 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)
11. Certified in Hospitality, Nutrition, and Food Science (CFCS-HNFS)
The AAFCS Certification Program is designed to assure the public that credentialed family and consumer sciences professionals have attained a threshold level of knowledge that enables them to perform services as defined by the mission of the profession; foster excellence in the family and consumer sciences profession and develop criteria for assessing such excellence; and promote professional growth of individuals certified in family and consumer sciences by encouraging a systematic program of professional development and continuing education.
- 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?
12. Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE)
The Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE) is the most prestigious certification available to a food and beverage executive. It is part of an elite group of hospitality professionals who by combining education and experience with dedication to the industry have achieved a high level of expertise.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
- Renewal Required? Every 5 year(s)
What is the best certification for a food service worker?
The best food service worker certification is Certified Food Manager (CFM). The Certified Food Manager (CFM) is awarded by the International Food Service Executives Association. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this food service worker certification:
- To become a certified Certified Food Manager (CFM), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for food service workers?
The most in-demand food service worker certification is Food Safety Manager Certification based on all active job postings. Having this food service worker certification will give you access to more food service worker jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a food service worker career and salary?
The Certified Professional - Food Safety certification will help you to secure a cashier position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A cashier's average salary is $24,655 whereas food service workers make an average salary of $28,753.
The most common combination of food service worker certifications include: Certified Food Manager (CFM), OSHA Safety Certificate , and Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS).
Online courses for food service workers to earn certifications
1. Unravelling solutions for Future Food problems
Our society depends on the availability of food and accessibility to it. According to the United Nations nearly 800 million people are hungry and on the other hand, over 650 million people are obese. While many people in developing countries experience food shortage, in industrialized countries people are throwing food away. These facts show how paradoxical and complex the world’s food problem is. ln this course, more than 10 food researchers from Utrecht University will address the main issues...
2. Introduction to Food and Our Environment
This course is designed to help learners around the world become more sustainable eaters. Course videos can be watched in any order. Feel free to explore special areas of interest by skipping ahead and coming back to less familiar topics at a later stage. Together, we’ll explore key topics, like how food production impacts the environment and why meat production and protein consumption are often at the center of the debate around sustainability. We’ll introduce the pros and cons of different...
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. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System
Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...
5. Stanford Introduction to Food and Health
Around the world, we find ourselves facing global epidemics of obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and other predominantly diet-related diseases. To address these public health crises, we urgently need to explore innovative strategies for promoting healthful eating. There is strong evidence that global increases in the consumption of heavily processed foods, coupled with cultural shifts away from the preparation of food in the home, have contributed to high rates of preventable, chronic disease. In this...
6. Sustainable Food Production Through Livestock Health Management
Learn about the impact of infectious disease on sustainable animal-based food production by understanding the science of growth, immunity, and infection and by learning the problem-solving skills needed to advance animal health and food production through optimal management practices. There is a growing global need in agricultural production for a workforce that is capable of integrating knowledge of animal health and production with an understanding of consumer preferences in the context of...
7. 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...
8. 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!...
9. Basic Food Photography
Learn how to take delicious food photos from scratch...
10. ISO 22000 (HACCP and PRPs) for Food Safety
Standards, analysis, control points, and risk management related to ISO 22000 for food industry professionals...
11. 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...
12. Blockchain applications in Food Safety, Healthcare & Pharma
Best course to learn about Blockchain Business Applications in Pharma, Food Safety, Healthcare and Insurance Industries...
13. You Found It! Foodies Ultimate Food Photography Masterclass
Beautiful Food Photography with any smartphone, iphone or digital camera. See Progress Quickly. Fundamentals matter!...
14. Get to Know Your Food: Claims, Labels & Ingredients
Learn how to make the healthiest and best food choices amidst processed and packaged foods...
15. The Ultimate Food and Restaurant Business Course
For Existing Food & Restaurant Businesses & Start Ups. This course will significantly improve you chance of success...
16. 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...
17. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
18. Customer Service: 6 Keys To Exceptional Customer Service
Master Customer Satisfaction & Astonish Your Customers With A+ Customer Service...
19. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer
Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...
20. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience
Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...