Top 10 Restaurant Worker Certifications

Certifications are important for a restaurant worker in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and skill that employers look for when hiring. They can be used to validate a person’s experience and qualifications, as well as show potential employers that the person has taken the time to learn about their craft and stay up-to-date on industry standards. Certifications also provide a way for employers to easily identify qualified candidates who have what it takes to excel in the position. In addition, certifications can give restaurant workers an edge over other applicants by demonstrating their dedication to their professional development.

The purpose of this article is to review and evaluate the top certifications available for restaurant workers, and explain how they can enhance a restaurant worker's career.

What are Restaurant Worker Certifications?

Restaurant worker certification is a type of training program designed to provide restaurant employees with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their job. The program typically covers topics such as food safety, customer service, communication skills, nutrition, sanitation, and hospitality. Certification can help employees better understand their responsibilities and duties within the restaurant setting, enabling them to provide the highest quality of service for customers. It also helps employers ensure that all staff members demonstrate the same level of professionalism and competency. Additionally, having certified staff may help restaurants maintain compliance with local health and safety regulations as well as other relevant industry standards. Finally, certification can be beneficial for employees looking to advance in their careers by demonstrating their commitment to excellence in the workplace.

Pro Tip: Make sure all restaurant workers are certified in food safety and handling. This will ensure that they are well-trained and knowledgeable about best practices to keep food safe, reducing the risk of foodborne illness.

Related: What does a Restaurant Worker do?

Top 10 Restaurant Worker Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Restaurant Workers today.

1. ServSafe Food Handler Certification

ServSafe Food Handler Certification is a program administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation that provides food safety training and certification for restaurant employees. The program is designed to help restaurants meet local, state, and federal regulations regarding food safety.

The ServSafe Food Handler Certification program consists of an online course that takes approximately 2 hours to complete. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate verifying their knowledge of food safety practices. The cost of the online course is $15 per person.

To get certified, individuals must first register for the online course at servsafe.com/foodhandler. After registering, they will be given access to the online course material which includes videos, quizzes, and activities. Once they have completed all sections of the course and passed the final exam with a score of 75% or higher, they will receive their ServSafe Food Handler Certificate via email within 24 hours.

The certificate is valid for three years from the date it was issued and can be used as proof of food handler certification when applying for jobs in restaurants or other food service establishments.

2. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) ServSafe Manager Certification

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) ServSafe Manager Certification is a comprehensive food safety training and certification program designed to help protect the public from foodborne illness. It is intended for restaurant and foodservice managers, supervisors, and owners who are responsible for the safe handling of food in their establishments.

The ServSafe Manager Certification course consists of an 8-hour classroom or online training session, followed by a 2-hour proctored exam. The course covers topics such as personal hygiene, cross contamination, time and temperature control, cleaning and sanitizing, pest control, purchasing and receiving food, allergens, and more.

To get the ServSafe Manager Certification you must complete the 8-hour training session either online or in a classroom setting. After completing the training you must pass the 2-hour proctored exam with a score of 75% or higher to receive your certification.

The cost of the ServSafe Manager Certification varies depending on how you choose to take it. The online version costs $125 while the classroom version costs $175 plus any applicable taxes.

3. NRAEF Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) Certification

The NRAEF Certified Professional Food Manager (CPFM) Certification is a certification program offered by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF). It is designed to help food service professionals demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of food safety principles, regulations, and best practices. The CPFM Certification is a nationally recognized credential that is accepted in many states as proof of food safety knowledge.

The CPFM Certification requires successful completion of an approved course and passing an exam. The course typically takes 8-10 hours to complete and covers topics such as food safety regulations, personal hygiene, safe food handling practices, pest control, temperature control, cleaning and sanitizing procedures, HACCP principles, and more.

To get the CPFM Certification you must first take an approved course from an accredited provider. After completing the course you must pass the CPFM exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and must be taken at a proctored testing center.

The cost for the CPFM Certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $100-$200 for the course and exam fees combined. In some cases there may also be additional fees for materials or other services related to taking the exam.

4. NRAEF Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) Certification

The NRAEF Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) Certification is a program developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). It is designed to provide food service professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain a safe, sanitary foodservice environment. The certification is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and recognized by many state and local health departments.

The CFPM certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person exam. The online course covers topics such as food safety regulations, sanitation procedures, hazard analysis and risk-based preventive controls, food allergens, HACCP principles, and more. The course takes approximately 10 hours to complete. Once completed, you must take a proctored exam at an approved testing center to receive your certification.

The cost of the CFPM certification varies depending on where you take the exam; however, it typically ranges from $150-$200. Additionally, there may be additional fees for taking the exam at certain locations or for retaking the exam if you do not pass on your first attempt.

Overall, obtaining the CFPM certification can be a great way to demonstrate your commitment to food safety and help ensure that your customers are served safe meals.

5. NRAEF Certified Restaurant Supervisor (CRS) Certification

The NRAEF Certified Restaurant Supervisor (CRS) Certification is a professional credential offered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). This certification is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge and understanding of restaurant operations, customer service, and personnel management. The CRS Certification is an industry-recognized credential that can help you advance your career in the restaurant industry.

To get the CRS Certification, you must complete a two-part exam that covers topics such as food safety, customer service, and personnel management. The exam consists of a written portion and an oral portion. The written portion consists of multiple-choice questions while the oral portion requires you to answer questions orally in front of a panel of experts. You must pass both portions of the exam in order to receive your CRS Certification.

The cost for taking the CRS Certification Exam varies depending on whether or not you are an NRAEF member. For non-members, the cost is $250 for both parts of the exam; for members, it is $175 for both parts. It typically takes about two weeks to receive your results after taking the exam.

Once you have passed both parts of the exam and received your CRS Certification, you will be eligible to apply for jobs at restaurants that require this credential. Additionally, having this certification can help open doors to higher paying positions within the restaurant industry.

6. NRAEF Certified Professional Bartender (CPB) Certification

The NRAEF Certified Professional Bartender (CPB) Certification is a nationally recognized certification program designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of professional bartenders. The CPB certification is offered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), which is dedicated to enhancing the restaurant industry’s service and hospitality through education and training.

The CPB certification requires successful completion of an online exam that tests knowledge in areas such as alcohol laws, drink recipes, customer service, and responsible alcohol service. The exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes. To be eligible for the CPB certification, applicants must have at least one year of experience as a bartender or server in a restaurant or bar setting.

The cost for the CPB certification is $75.00 USD. Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your official NRAEF Certified Professional Bartender certificate along with a digital badge that can be used on social media profiles and resumes. The certificate is valid for three years from the date of issuance.

To get certified, applicants must register for an account on the NRAEF website and then complete an application form to take the exam. Applicants will then receive an email with instructions on how to access their online exam. Once they have successfully completed their exam, they will receive their official certificate via mail or email within two weeks after passing the exam.

7. NRAEF Certified Professional Cook (CPC) Certification

The NRAEF Certified Professional Cook (CPC) Certification is a professional certification program offered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). It is designed to recognize and reward individuals who demonstrate the highest level of culinary proficiency and knowledge. The certification is valid for five years, after which time it must be renewed.

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as food safety, nutrition, menu planning, purchasing and inventory control, sanitation and hygiene, kitchen management, and food production. Applicants must also have at least two years of work experience in a commercial kitchen or related environment.

The cost to take the exam varies depending on the location of the test center. The exam fee typically ranges from $100 to $200. In addition to the exam fee, there may be additional costs associated with preparing for the exam such as study materials or classes.

Once an applicant passes the exam, they will receive their official CPC certificate from NRAEF along with a wallet card that can be used for verification purposes.

8. NRAEF Certified Professional Server (CPS) Certification

The NRAEF Certified Professional Server (CPS) Certification is a nationally recognized certification program that verifies the knowledge and skills of professional servers in the restaurant industry. The certification is awarded by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), which is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of foodservice operations.

The CPS Certification requires successful completion of an online exam that tests knowledge and understanding of proper service techniques, safety and sanitation regulations, alcoholic beverage laws, and customer service principles. The exam must be completed within two hours and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. In order to pass the exam, applicants must score at least 70%.

The cost for taking the CPS Certification Exam is $75 USD. This fee covers all materials related to taking the exam such as study guides and practice tests.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your official CPS Certification card in approximately 4 weeks. The certification card is valid for three years from date of issue and can be renewed by retaking the online exam or attending a refresher course offered by NRAEF approved providers.

9. American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certifications

The American Culinary Federation (ACF) is a professional organization for chefs and cooks. It offers certifications to recognize the knowledge and skills of its members in various culinary disciplines.

The ACF certifications are divided into three categories: Certified Culinarian, Certified Pastry Culinarian, and Certified Working Chef. Each certification requires a certain amount of experience, education, and training in order to be eligible for the exam.

In order to become certified, an individual must pass the written exam as well as a practical exam. The practical exam consists of preparing three dishes that demonstrate the candidate’s skill level in the particular discipline they are seeking certification in.

It usually takes between six months to one year to complete all requirements necessary for certification. The ACF also offers continuing education courses that can help prepare individuals for their exams and keep their skills up-to-date.

The cost of obtaining an ACF certification varies depending on the type of certification sought and which courses are taken. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $200-$500 USD for each certification level.

10. National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) Certifications

The National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to become certified food safety professionals. The NRFSP certification is recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, state and local health departments, and other regulatory agencies.

It typically takes between two to four weeks to complete the NRFSP certification process. To get certified, individuals must first pass an online exam that covers topics such as food safety principles, HACCP principles, foodborne illness prevention, sanitation practices, and more. After passing the exam, individuals must then submit their application for review by the NRFSP Board of Directors. Once approved, they will receive their official certificate in the mail.

The cost of the NRFSP certification varies depending on which level you are seeking (basic or advanced). The basic level costs $125 USD while the advanced level costs $200 USD. There may also be additional fees for books or materials required for study purposes as well as any applicable taxes or shipping charges.

Do You Really Need a Restaurant Worker Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on what kind of work you are looking to do in the restaurant industry. If you are looking for a job as a server, bartender, or cook, then you may not need a restaurant worker certificate. However, if you are looking for a position such as a manager or supervisor, then it would be beneficial to have one.

A restaurant worker certificate is designed to show employers that you have the necessary knowledge and skills needed to work in the restaurant industry. It can provide evidence of your training and experience in food safety, customer service, and other related topics. It also shows that you understand the importance of following health regulations and proper food handling techniques.

Having a restaurant worker certificate can give employers confidence that they are hiring someone with the right qualifications for the job. It can also help you stand out from other applicants since it demonstrates that you have taken the time to learn about this industry beyond what is taught in school or through on-the-job training.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a restaurant worker certificate will depend on what type of job you are looking for in the restaurant industry. If it is necessary for your chosen role then obtaining one could be beneficial for both yourself and potential employers.

Related: Restaurant Worker Resume Examples

FAQs About Restaurant Worker Certifications

1. What certifications are needed to become a restaurant worker?

Answer: Depending on the job you are seeking, you may need to obtain specific certifications such as food safety, sanitation, alcohol service and specialized skills like bartending or cooking. Contact your local health department or state restaurant association for more information.

2. How do I get certified as a restaurant worker?

Answer: You will need to take a course in the subject matter from an accredited institution and pass an exam. The cost of certification varies depending on the type of certification and length of coursework required.

3. How long does it take to become certified as a restaurant worker?

Answer: It depends on the type of certification and length of coursework required, but typically it takes about 2-4 weeks to complete all requirements for most types of certifications.

4. Are there any online courses available for becoming a certified restaurant worker?

Answer: Yes, many organizations offer online courses that can help you become certified in various areas related to restaurant work such as food safety, sanitation, alcohol service and specialized skills like bartending or cooking. Check with your local health department or state restaurant association for more information.

5. Is there an age requirement for becoming a certified restaurant worker?

Answer: Generally speaking, most states require individuals who wish to work in restaurants serving alcoholic beverages to be at least 21 years old; however, this is not always the case so check with your local health department or state restaurant association for more details.