Food Safety

Food Safety Managers

Food Safety Managers ensure that proper procedures are followed to prevent food-related illness in businesses that serve food. Only trained, certified people may use the title or act as "Certified Food Safety Managers".

Food Manager Instructors

Food Manager Instructors must:

• Have at least two years of experience teaching or consulting on food-related issues; or employment in the food industry or food regulatory agency.
• Be currently certified in food safety through completion of the Educational Foundation or the Educational Testing Service's Food Protection Certification monitored examination with a final score of 90% or higher. If a final score of 90% or higher is not obtained after the second attempt, the individual must take an approved Food Safety Management Certification course prior to retaking the examination.
• Successfully complete an 8-hour Food Safety Instructor Training Course approved by the Center for Food Protection. The class may be online, or in another state. You must have a certificate of completion. (A waiver from this requirement may be granted if you can show equivalent educational credentials.

Continuing Education/Training/Exam

Food Safety Managers

Pass the national exam and renew their state certification every 5 years. The exam may be online, or in another state administered under secured conditions within the past 12 months. If a food safety manager certification is expired for more than six months, you must retake the 8-hour course and pass the exam before you can be recertified.

Food Safety Manager Instructors

Demonstrate that they have earned 8 professional development units, equal to 8 hours of approved training in food safety and sanitation topics, every 5 years. Either a college transcript with course description or a certificate of completion of the course with the course description is required when you renew.

Approved Food Safety Manager Training Programs

The Rhode Island Department of Health does not endorse or promote any individual business.