Top 10 Food Service Director Certifications

Certifications are important for a food service director in the job market because they demonstrate the knowledge and experience of the applicant. Certifications provide proof that an individual has a certain level of education and understanding in their chosen field, which can be used to show potential employers that they are qualified for the position. Additionally, certifications can provide a competitive edge when applying for jobs, as they demonstrate a commitment to professional development and industry standards. Finally, certifications can help open up opportunities for advancement within an organization.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Food Service Directors and explains how they can help to further a Food Service Director's career.

What are Food Service Director Certifications?

Food service director certification is a professional credential that is awarded to those who have completed a program of study in foodservice management and leadership. This certification demonstrates the individual’s expertise in managing foodservice operations, including menu planning, purchasing, inventory control, budgeting, sanitation and safety compliance. Certification also requires passing an exam administered by an approved agency such as the National Association of Food Service Professionals (NAFSP).

The benefits of food service director certification are numerous. Those with this credential demonstrate their commitment to excellence and professionalism in the industry. They are better equipped to manage personnel, resolve conflicts, and ensure legal compliance within the foodservice establishment. Having this certification can also open up more career opportunities for those looking to advance their career in the foodservice industry. Additionally, having this credential can lead to increased salaries and job stability compared to those without it. Finally, becoming certified provides an individual with access to continuing education resources that can help them stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

Pro tip: Make sure you research the different types of food service director certifications available and choose one that best suits your professional goals. Also, consider taking a course or attending a workshop to gain more knowledge in this field. Finally, make sure you stay up-to-date on current industry trends and regulations to ensure your certification remains up to date.

Related: What does a Food Service Director do?

Top 10 Food Service Director Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Food Service Directors today.

1. Certified Dietary Manager (CDM)

A Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) is a professional who specializes in foodservice management and nutrition. They are responsible for the daily operations of a food service department, including menu planning, budgeting, purchasing, inventory control, and personnel management. The CDM credential is offered by the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals (ANFP).

To become a CDM, an individual must have a minimum of two years of experience in food service management and complete an approved course of study. The program consists of seven courses that cover topics such as nutrition fundamentals, food safety and sanitation, menu planning and production, budgeting and finance, personnel management and customer service. After completing the coursework, individuals must pass the ANFP’s certification exam to earn their CDM credential.

The cost to become a CDM varies depending on where you take the classes and how long it takes to complete them. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 for tuition plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam. It typically takes six months to one year to complete all seven courses required for certification.

2. Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP)

Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) is a certification program offered by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). The CFPP certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of food safety and sanitation.

The CFPP certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as food safety regulations, foodborne illness prevention, personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitizing, safe food handling practices, HACCP principles, and more. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions with a two-hour time limit. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must meet certain experience requirements or possess an approved degree in a related field.

The cost of the exam varies depending on whether you are an NEHA member or non-member. For members, the cost is $225; for non-members, it is $325. Once you pass the exam, there is a one-time fee of $50 to maintain your certification status.

In order to prepare for the CFPP exam, NEHA offers study materials such as practice tests and study guides that can help candidates better understand the material covered on the test. There are also online courses available that can help candidates become more familiar with food safety concepts before taking the exam.

Overall, it typically takes 3-6 months to complete all of the necessary steps to become certified as a CFPP.

3. ServSafe Food Safety Manager Certification

ServSafe Food Safety Manager Certification is a program offered by the National Restaurant Association (NRA) that certifies individuals in food safety and sanitation. The certification is valid for five years and is recognized by more than 40 state health departments.

In order to get certified, individuals must complete an eight-hour course and pass an exam with a score of 75% or higher. The course covers topics such as foodborne illness, safe food handling practices, personal hygiene, facility maintenance, and pest control. After completing the course and passing the exam, individuals will receive a ServSafe Food Safety Manager Certificate from the NRA.

The cost of the ServSafe Food Safety Manager Certification varies depending on the provider offering it. Generally, it costs around $150-$250 for both the course and exam.

4. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Foodservice Management Professional (FMP)

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Foodservice Management Professional (FMP) is a professional certification program that provides foodservice professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful leaders in the industry. The FMP program is designed for individuals who are interested in advancing their careers within the foodservice industry. The program consists of four courses, each focusing on a different aspect of foodservice management: Financial Management, Human Resources Management, Operations Management, and Marketing & Sales Management.

The FMP program takes approximately six months to complete. To qualify for the certification, applicants must have at least two years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in a supervisory role within the foodservice industry. Applicants must also pass an online exam after completing all four courses.

The cost of the FMP program varies depending on which course option you choose. The standard course option costs $1,695 and includes all four courses plus access to additional resources such as webinars and study guides. There is also an accelerated course option that costs $2,195 and allows students to complete all four courses in three months instead of six months.

Once you have successfully completed the program and passed the exam, you will receive your official NRAEF Foodservice Management Professional certification. This certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by retaking the exam every three years or by completing continuing education credits during that time period.

5. American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef (CEC)

The American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef (CEC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the highest standards of culinary excellence. The CEC is awarded by the American Culinary Federation (ACF), the largest professional organization for chefs in North America.

To become a CEC, chefs must meet rigorous educational and work experience requirements, as well as pass a comprehensive written exam. The certification process typically takes between two and four years to complete depending on the individual's background and experience.

In order to become a CEC, chefs must first join the ACF and complete an application packet that includes documentation of their education, work experience, and other qualifications. Once accepted into the program, they must complete at least 300 hours of continuing education credits from approved ACF sources within five years. After completing this requirement, they can take the written exam which consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as food safety and sanitation, nutrition, menu planning, purchasing and inventory control, financial management and marketing.

Once all requirements are met and the exam is passed with a score of 75% or higher, chefs will be awarded their CEC certification. The cost to apply for the CEC program is $250 for ACF members or $350 for non-members.

6. National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) Certified Nutrition Manager

The National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) Certified Nutrition Manager (CNM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize nutrition professionals who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and expertise in the field of nutrition. It is a voluntary credential that provides evidence of an individual’s commitment to continuing education, professional development, and ethical practice.

It takes approximately 6-12 months to complete the program depending on the individual's learning pace. To become a CNM, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements including: having at least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics; holding current registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration; and having two years of experience in clinical nutrition management.

In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria, applicants must also pass an online exam administered by NANP. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as nutrition assessment, food service management, menu planning, therapeutic diets, and food safety.

The cost for taking the CNM exam is $250 for NANP members ($350 for non-members). This fee includes access to study materials and the online testing platform. After passing the exam, individuals will be required to pay an annual maintenance fee of $50 in order to maintain their CNM certification status.

7. National Restaurant Association's Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)

The National Restaurant Association’s Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of hospitality supervisors. It is intended for those who have supervisory experience in the hospitality industry, including restaurants, hotels, resorts, clubs and other related businesses.

The CHS program consists of three components: an online assessment, an online course and a final exam. The online assessment tests your knowledge of basic hospitality concepts such as customer service, marketing and operations management. The online course covers topics such as leadership development, financial management and human resources. The final exam tests your ability to apply these concepts in real-world scenarios.

It typically takes about six months to complete the entire CHS program. To get started, you must first register with the National Restaurant Association by completing an application form and paying a fee of $250 USD. Once registered, you can access the online assessment and course materials from their website. After completing both components successfully, you will be eligible to take the final exam at a designated testing center near you. Upon passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher, you will receive your official CHS certification from the National Restaurant Association.

8. National Registry of Food Safety Professionals' Certified Food Executive (CFE)

The National Registry of Food Safety Professionals’ Certified Food Executive (CFE) is a certification program designed to recognize food safety professionals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to lead a food safety program. The CFE credential is awarded to individuals who have completed a rigorous training and testing process that covers topics such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food defense, and other food safety-related topics.

The CFE certification process typically takes about six months to complete. To become certified, applicants must first meet the eligibility requirements which include having at least three years of experience in the food industry in a managerial role and passing an exam that covers all aspects of food safety. Once these requirements are met, applicants can submit their application for review by the National Registry of Food Safety Professionals. If approved, applicants will be sent a study guide and then must pass the CFE exam with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost for obtaining the CFE certification varies depending on whether you are applying as an individual or as part of an organization. For individuals, the cost is $450 USD; for organizations, it is $1,200 USD per person.

9. International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education's Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE)

The Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) is a professional certification program offered by the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (ICHRIE). It is designed to recognize excellence in hospitality education and to promote professionalism among hospitality educators. The CHE designation is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to teaching excellence, scholarly research, and service to the profession.

In order to become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria including having at least five years of full-time teaching experience in a hospitality-related field. Applicants must also submit an application packet that includes evidence of their teaching experience, course syllabi, and other supporting materials. Once all requirements have been met, applicants can take the CHE exam which consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as hospitality management theory and practice, instructional design and delivery methods, curriculum development, assessment techniques, and more.

The CHE exam takes approximately three hours to complete. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their CHE designation from ICHRIE. The cost for the certification process varies depending on the type of membership held with ICHRIE. For non-members it typically costs between $400-$500 USD for the application fee plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam.

10. Professional Convention Management Association's Certified Meeting Professional (CMP).

The Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) is a professional certification program created by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). It is designed to recognize and reward professionals who have demonstrated expertise in meeting management.

To become a CMP, applicants must have at least three years of full-time experience in the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry. They must also complete an application process that includes an exam and a portfolio review. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions covering topics such as event design, risk management, operations, finance, and technology.

The portfolio review requires applicants to submit evidence of their work experience and demonstrate their ability to plan and execute successful events. This includes providing detailed descriptions of events they have managed along with supporting documents such as budgets, contracts, floor plans, etc.

The total cost for the CMP program is $695 USD for PCMA members or $895 USD for non-members. The fee covers the cost of the exam and portfolio review. Once all requirements are met, applicants will receive their CMP designation within 4-6 weeks.

Do You Really Need a Food Service Director Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their career goals. For those who are looking to become a food service director, obtaining a certificate can be beneficial in terms of increasing your knowledge base and being more marketable to potential employers. The certificate provides evidence that you have a comprehensive understanding of the food service industry and its practices.

Having a food service director certificate can also be beneficial for those looking to enter into management positions or other related roles within the industry, such as catering or nutrition. Having a certificate can demonstrate your commitment and dedication to the field, which could give you an edge over other applicants when applying for jobs.

However, it is important to note that having a certificate does not guarantee success in the field of food service. It is still necessary for individuals to possess strong interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and business acumen in order to be successful in this field. Therefore, it is important for individuals looking to pursue a career as a food service director or related role to also develop these skills as they pursue their certification.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a food service director certificate depends on your individual goals and what you hope to achieve in the field of food service. If you are looking for increased job opportunities and recognition within the industry then obtaining a certificate could be beneficial. However, it is important not only to obtain the certification but also develop relevant skills needed for success in order to reap its full benefits.

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FAQs About Food Service Director Certifications

1. What is a Food Service Director Certification?

Answer: A Food Service Director Certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and oversee food service operations within a healthcare facility. It is awarded by the Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals (ANFP).

2. What are the requirements for obtaining a Food Service Director Certification?

Answer: To obtain a Food Service Director Certification, applicants must have four years of full-time food service management experience in an institutional setting, successfully complete an ANFP-approved certification program, and pass the national certification exam.

3. How often do I need to renew my Food Service Director Certification?

Answer: A Food Service Director Certification must be renewed every five years through continuing education credits and successful completion of the recertification examination.

4. Are there any other certifications available for food service directors?

Answer: Yes, there are several other certifications available for food service directors such as Certified Dietary Manager (CDM), Certified Nutritional Professional (CNP), Certified Professional in Healthcare Foodservice (CPHFS), and Certified Dietary Supervisor (CDS).

5. How can I find out more information about becoming a certified food service director?

Answer: You can find out more information about becoming a certified food service director by visiting the ANFP website at www.anfponline.org or contacting your local chapter of ANFP for additional resources and support.