2025-2026 Credential Information

The North Carolina Office of Career and Technical Education provides multiple opportunities for students to obtain Industry-Recognized Credentials during their high school career.
Industry-recognized credentials hold immense value as they not only validate student skills and knowledge in a specific field but also serve as a powerful stepping stone toward future careers.

They provide a competitive edge in the job market, making students more attractive to potential employers and increasing their earning potential.
Moreover, industry-recognized credentials often lead to more job opportunities and pathways for advancement, helping students embark on successful and fulfilling career journeys.
Beyond the immediate benefits, these credentials instill a sense of accomplishment and confidence, motivating students to pursue higher education or dive directly into the workforce with the skills and certifications needed to excel.
Ultimately, industry-recognized credentials empower high school students to bridge the gap between education and real-world employment, setting them on a path toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

Access the NCDPI Credentials and Reporting website to submit a credential application and to view the latest Credential Attainment Report.

Footnotes:
^ Indicates the pathway is an approved Local Course Option (LCO) pathway.

* Where multilingual exams are indicated, please be advised that the state of North Carolina adheres to general statute as follows:
G.S.§115C-81.45(a) requires classes (silent on exams) to be conducted in English "[e]xcept when a board authorizes teaching in a foreign language to comply with federal law."
Therefore, NC CTE will abide with the Accountability guidance that LEAs are not required to provide exams in other languages. If they choose to do so, it will be at local discretion.


ANSI - Accredited Food Protection Manager Certification

Credential NameANSI - Accredited Food Protection Manager Certification
Credential Vendor Info
Safe Plates
Ellen Shumaker
customer.service@nrfsp.com
https://www.ncstate.myvlp.com/


ServSafe
Lauren Robin
Manager of K-12 Sales Academic Market
233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 3600 | Chicago, IL 60606-6383
lrobin@restaurant.org
312.627.2424
https://www.ahlei.org/Certifications/

Credential Auto CollectNo
Diploma EndorsementFH11 = Yes
FH12 = Yes
FN42 = Yes
Validation ArtifactCopy of certificate OR Score List report
Credential Lead ConsultantGwen Turner
gwen.turner@dpi.nc.gov
Course Number and TitleFH11 Culinary Arts and Hospitality II App
FH12 Culinary Arts and Hospitality II Internship
FN42 Food and Nutrition II
Credential as POLFH11 POL = No
FH12 POL = No
FN42 POL = No
Pathway(s)Culinary Arts Applications (CULA)
Culinary Arts Internship (CULI)
Food and Nutrition (FONU)
Cost of Instructor TrainingSafe Plates
$0.00

ServSafe
$0.00
Becoming a certified instructor is not required but HIGHLY recommended. Instructor resources are complimentary when an instructor has a valid Manager Certification and is registered with ServSafe to become a Manager Instructor. ServSafe recommends becoming a DUAL instructor/proctor. Instructional materials are available for purchase.

Instructor Training RequirementsSafe Plates
Required
Review Safe Plates CTE Moodle; follow proctor requirements if also a proctor.

ServSafe
Required
Instructor needs a valid Manager Certification and must apply to become a ServSafe Manager Instructor. ServSafe prefers a dual instructor/proctor application.

Exam Voucher ExpirationSafe Plates
2 years

ServSafe
None
Manager Exams, both online and paper, do not expire.

Credential LifespanSafe Plates
Up to 5 years
Check with the local health department or regulatory agency to see how often recertification is needed (generally 5 years in NC).

ServSafe
5 years

Renewal OptionsSafe Plates
Yes
Take and pass the Food Manager Certification Exam.

ServSafe
Yes
Take the Manager exam again; the course does not have to be retaken.

SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s)Chefs and Head Cooks (35-1011)
Dietetic Technicians (29-2051)
Food Service Managers (11-9051)
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (11-3071)
ArticulationYes
Effective 2025-26
See Statewide Articulation Agreement:
https://www.ncperkins.org/course/view.php?id=4
SequencingSafe Plates
No

ServSafe
No

Employer TransferabilitySafe Plates
Yes
this is a nationally recognized certification.

ServSafe
Yes

Delivery FormatSafe Plates
On-line or Paper/pencil

ServSafe
On-line

Proctored Environment RequiredSafe Plates
Yes

ServSafe
Yes

Test Site Options and RequirementsSafe Plates
https://www.nrfsp.com/wp-content/uploads/NRFSP-Test-Administrator-Proctor-Handbook-1.pdf (pgs. 10-12, 55)

ServSafe
ServSafe exams may be given by a registered proctor in the classroom. Requirements are posted in the instructor/proctor portion of the ServeSafe website:
https://www.servsafe.com/Instructors-Proctors

Testing Environment RequirementsSafe Plates
https://www.nrfsp.com/wp-content/uploads/NRFSP-Test-Administrator-Proctor-Handbook-1.pdf (pgs. 10-12, 55)

ServSafe
Proctors must follow ServSafe rules explicitly:
https://www.servsafe.com/

Proctored RequirementsSafe Plates
Cannot have taken CFPM exam within six months
Must complete Proctor Training and follow all NRFSP guidelines

https://www.nrfsp.com/wp-content/uploads/NRFSP-Test-Administrator-Proctor-Handbook-1.pdf (pg. 6 for requirements, 19-29 for responsibilities when handling exams)

ServSafe
Person(s) will have to have an account with ServSafe and register to become a proctor. This typically takes 40 minutes to complete with a short quiz.

Exam Time AllotmentSafe Plates
2 hours

ServSafe
2 hours

Exam Passing RequirementSafe Plates
Scaled score of 75 or higher

ServSafe
A passing score is 70% or higher, obtained by answering at least 56 out of 80 questions correctly. The exam has 90 questions; however, there are 10 pilot questions that are for research purposes only.

RetakesSafe Plates
Yes
An examinee can take the exam twice within a 30-day period and must wait a full 24-hours between the first and second attempts. If they fail a second time, they must wait 60 days from the last exam attempt before taking the exam a third time. No more than four attempts are allowed in a 12-month period.

ServSafe
Yes
Two attempts within 30 days. Must wait 60 days after last attempt for 3-4 attempts. No more than four attempts in a 12-month period. Extra exams/retakes will have to be purchased.

Student AccommodationsSafe Plates
Yes
https://www.nrfsp.com/wp-content/uploads/NRFSP-Test-Administrator-Proctor-Handbook-1.pdf (pgs. 13-14)

ServSafe
No
Accommodations are available (extra time and allowing a read-aloud). There is an accommodations form that needs to be completed by the instructor and sent back to SafePlates to flag the student's exam:
https://www.servsafe.com/Instructors-Proctors

Multilingual Resources*Safe Plates
Yes
Virtual exams available in English and Spanish. Paper exams available in English, Spanish, Korean, Traditional Chinese, and Modern Chinese.

ServSafe
Yes
Online exams are offered in English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese. Paper-based exams are offered in English, English Large Print, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Canadian French.

Directory NotesSafe Plates
Voucher order form is located on the FCS PLC Moodle for SafePlates. Use proctor manual in preparation for administering this exam:
https://www.nrfsp.com/wp-content/uploads/Documents/Food_Manager/NRFSP-Test-Administrator-Proctor-Handbook.pdf

Examinee Handbook: https://www.nrfsp.com/wp-content/uploads/FSMCE-Examinee-Handbook.pdf

Proctor Handbook: https://www.nrfsp.com/wp-content/uploads/NRFSP-Test-Administrator-Proctor-Handbook-1.pdf

Online Exam Portal: ncstate.myvlp.com

ServSafe
None