Credential Information

2025-2026 Academic Year

ANSI - Accredited Food Protection Manager Certification

Credential Name	ANSI - 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/
Implementation Year	Before 2022-2023
Credential Auto Collect	No
Diploma Endorsement	FH11 = Yes FH12 = Yes FN42 = Yes
Validation Artifact	Copy of certificate OR Score List report
Credential Lead Consultant	Gwen Turner gwen.turner@dpi.nc.gov
Course Number and Title	FH11 Culinary Arts and Hospitality II App FH12 Culinary Arts and Hospitality II Internship FN42 Food and Nutrition II
Credential as POL	FH11 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 Training	Safe 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 Requirements	Safe 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 Expiration	Safe Plates 2 years ServSafe None Manager Exams, both online and paper, do not expire.
Credential Lifespan	Safe 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 Options	Safe 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)
Articulation	Yes Effective 2025-26 See Statewide Articulation Agreement: https://www.ncperkins.org/course/view.php?id=4
Sequencing	Safe Plates No ServSafe No
Employer Transferability	Safe Plates Yes This is a nationally recognized certification. ServSafe Yes
Delivery Format	Safe Plates On-line or Paper/pencil ServSafe On-line
Proctored Environment Required	Safe Plates Yes ServSafe Yes
Test Site Options and Requirements	Safe 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 Requirements	Safe 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 Requirements	Safe 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 Allotment	Safe Plates 2 hours ServSafe 2 hours
Exam Passing Requirement	Safe 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.
Retakes	Safe 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 Accommodations	Safe 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 Notes	Safe 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

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.

^ 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.