The Texas Department of State Health Services, Certified Food Manager (CFM) Program has been accrediting food manager training courses since 1988. Today, food manager training and certification has become a standard of the food industry as well as a regulatory standard throughout the state of Texas.
The CFM Program accredits and licenses training programs for candidates new to the food industry who may need training. The Program also licenses Test Sites that provide the food manager's examination to those who have sufficient background in the food industry and wish to take the exam with minimal or no training. Examinations offered through training programs and test sites are accredited through American National Standards Institute – Conference for Food Protection (ANSI-CFP). Certified Food Manager Certificates issued through these providers receive national reciprocity. The CFM Program also licenses online exam providers. Certified Food Manager Certificates issued through these providers receive state-wide reciprocity.
The Texas Department of State Health Services, Certified Food Manager Program remains dedicated to the health and safety of the citizens of the state, educating food service employees in the principles of food safety to produce safe food products for Texas consumers.
Please email the Certified Food Manager Program if you would like additional information, or telephone (512) 834-6727.
CFM Programs and Exam Providers
Forms, Publications and Certificates
Frequently Asked Questions
Certification of Food Managers
Certification is obtained by passing a Department of State Health Services (DSHS) approved certified food manager examination. The examination may be taken at any licensed Certification Training Program, Test Site, Online Exam or National Exam provider. Certification is valid for five years.
Certification Training Programs: The Certified Food Manager Training Programs offer traditional classroom (14 hours) training to managers who are new to the food industry and have need of quality training. A DSHS approved written “Paper-and-Pencil” examination is given in English and Spanish at the completion of the training. Upon successful completion of the exam, a CFM Certificate is issued that is valid in Texas. This link will provide a list of Certification Training Programs.
Test Sites: Test Sites provide the food manager's examination to those who have sufficient background in the food industry to take the exam. A DSHS approved written “Paper-and-Pencil” Exam is given in English and Spanish at these sites. Upon successful completion of the exam, a CFM Certificate is issued that is valid in Texas. Some Test Sites may also offer training. This link will provide a list of Test Sites.
Online Exam Providers: The Online Exam provides the food manager’s examination to those who have sufficient background in the food industry to take the exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, a CFM Certificate is issued that is valid in Texas. Some Online Providers may also offer training. This link will provide a list of Online Exam Providers.
National Exam Providers: The national examinations have been approved by the Conference for Food Protection. Upon successful completion of the exam, a CFM Certificate is issued that has national recognition. Some National Providers may also offer training. This link will provide a list of National Exam Providers.
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Recertification of Food Managers
Recertification is obtained by passing a Department of State Health Services (DSHS) approved certified food manager examination. The examination may be taken at any licensed Recertification Training Program, Test Site, Online Exam or National Exam provider. Certification is valid for five years.
Recertification Training Programs: Recertification through training providers offer traditional classroom training (6 hours) prior to taking the examination. A DSHS approved written “Paper-and-Pencil” examination is given in English and Spanish at the completion of the training.
Recertification through Test Sites; Online Exam and National Exams: Recertification through examination is available through the above exam providers.
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Lists of Certification and Recertification Programs
Certification Program -- (Traditional Classroom - Paper and Pencil Exam)
City List (PDF File 72KB)
County List (PDF File 72KB)
Test Sites -- (Paper and Pencil Exam)
City List (PDF File 23KB)
County List (PDF File 23KB)
Online Exams
Learn2Serve.com
Texas Restaurant Association -- FoodGuard
National Exams
National Registry of Food Safety Professionals
To find a test/trainer location
National Restaurant Association Solutions - ServSafe
To find a test/trainer location
Prometric
To find a test/trainer location
Recertification Programs -- (Traditional Classroom-Paper and Pencil Exam)
City List (PDF File 12KB)
County List (PDF File 12KB)
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CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER - SAMPLE CERTIFICATES
An official Certified Food Manager Certificate is issued to all candidates that successfully pass a certified food managers examination. This official certificate must be posted in an area that is conspicuous to the consumers. An additional card may be required by your local health authority.
The official DSHS Certified Food Manager Certificate is a wallet size card. A Sample Certificate is listed below.
The official National and Online Certified Food Manager Certificate issued by each licensed provider vary in size and issuance process. A Sample Certificate for each provider is listed below.
DSHS Sample Certificate
Texas Department of State Health Services (PDF File 132KB)
Online Sample Certificates
Learn2Serve (PDF File 231KB)
Texas Restaurant Association - FoodGuard
Sample Certificate (Post 11/01/09) (PDF 226KB)
Sample Certificate (Pre 11/30/09) (PDF File 328KB)
National Sample Certificates
National Registry of Food Safety Professionals
Sample Certificate (Post 12/15/09) (PDF File 322KB)
Sample Certificate (Pre 12/15/09) (PDF File 257KB)
National Restaurant Association Solutions (PDF File 185KB)
Prometric (PDF File 154KB)
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CFM CERTIFICATE RENEWAL/REPLACEMENT
DSHS 2 Year Certificate Renewal (ONLY): All DSHS Certified Food Manager Certificates issued from May, 2004 to April 24, 2008 must be renewed every two (2) years and may be renewed two times only. This link will take you to the Certified Food Manager Certificate Renewal/Replacement Application.
Replacement for DSHS Certificate: Candidates who have taken the DSHS examination can obtain a replacement certificate by submitting an application and appropriate fee. This link will take you to the Certified Food Manager Certificate Renewal/Replacement Application.
Replacement for national and online Certificate: Candidates who have taken one of the DSHS approved national or online examinations must contact the examination provider for instructions on how to obtain a replacement certificate.
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CFM APPLICATIONS AND FORMS
CFM - Certificate Renewal/Replacement Application
Certified Food Manager - Certification
Certified Food Manager - Recertification
Certified Food Manager - Test-Site
Examination Security Agreement (Publication # EF23-12990) (PDF File 73KB)
Instructor New/Renewal Application (Publication # EF23-12990) (PDF File 74KB)
To access documents in Adobe Acrobat format, you must download the Acrobat Reader software. Please see the DSHS file viewing page for more information and a link to the Adobe website.
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