Certified Food Protection Manager

By March 1, 2023, the new food code will require each food service establishment to have a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM). The primary focus of the CFPM requirement is to increase proactive food safety, looking at things before they go wrong. Food safety policies and procedures must be taught to employees. This is an ongoing process. You must monitor and verify that staff understand and remember practices and procedures. When the health department performs an inspection, we will ask what the establishment policies are. We will also gather information on where the training is coming from. The Washington State Department of Health created this Active Managerial Control and Certified Manager template to use as a guide to the CFPM requirement.

Here are six things to note about the new requirement:

• The CFPM does not need to be on-site, although a copy of the certificate does. This means that not all managers need to be certified. You could have one person designated as the CFPM for the food service establishment or even several establishments. Sharing a CFPM between establishments is acceptable, but you must be able to maintain Active Managerial Control (AMC).
•  An establishment will have 60 days to replace a CFPM if their previous CFPM leaves.
•  The CFPM will be responsible for implementing a food protection program which helps each Person in Charge (PIC) and any other employees follow the food code.
•  The CFPM will be responsible for training each PIC so that they understand food safety concepts and are able to demonstrate knowledge and maintain Active Managerial Control. AMC has been shown to reduce the risk factors associated with Foodborne Illness (FBI) outbreaks.
• A CFPM is not required to take a class, although it is encouraged. They are just required to pass one of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved food manager test.
• Low Risk Establishments, Temporary Food Services and Youth Activity Concessions are exempt from the CFPM requirement. It is still encouraged for those operators to have a CFPM, but not a requirement for operation.

This is a list of the ANSI approved courses that will meet the CFPM Requirement, with important information on each option: 

Keep in mind, with these certifications, you are looking for the FOOD MANAGER options. These companies also provide a Food Handler option. That is not an acceptable way to meet the CFPM requirement. At this time, those Food Handler certificates will not be accepted as your Food Workers card either. The only Food Worker Card accepted in Washington can obtained from Do it Right, Serve it Safe! (wa.gov) 

New Card Verify Feature 

The Online Washington State Food Worker Card website now provides public access to verify the validity of a food worker card. Just go to cardverify.tpchd.org and verify your card by scanning the QR code or entering the card information.

Help us make your experience better! Let us know if you have any questions, feedback or requests for improvement.

Do it Right, Serve it Safe! Team
 foodworkercard@tpchd.org