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Certified Food Protection Manager

Coffee shop manager

The Alaska Food Code requires certain food establishments to have at least one full-time certified food protection manager on staff.

Establishments with managers certified in food safety have been shown to have better food safety practices and be less likely to have a foodborne illness outbreak.

The information on this page only applies to facilities regulated by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

For information about manager certification requirements that apply to facilities regulated by the Municipality of Anchorage, visit the Anchorage Health Department's Food Safety and Sanitation program website.

Upcoming Training Opportunities

This list is intended as a resource for food establishments in Alaska and does not constitute an endorsement or promotion by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Training Date and Location Provider Contact Additional Information
  • April 23, 2024
  • Online
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Cooperative Extension Service UAF Cooperative Extension Service Certified Food Protection Manager Training
  • Second Monday of each month
  • In-person, Fairbanks
Fernwood Food Safety Fernwood Food Safety
  • No date
  • Online and self-paced training
National Registry of Food Safety Professionals National Registry of Food Safety Professionals: Training Options
  • No date
  • Online and self-paced training
EduClasses FMC Food Managers Certification FMC Food Managers Certification
  • No date
  • Online and self-paced training
Trust20 Trust20: Food Manager Training
  • No date
  • Online and self-paced training
AAA Food Handler AAA Food Handler: Alaska
  • No date
  • Online and self-paced training
My Food Service License 877-590-5964 My Food Service License: Food Protection Manager
  • No date
  • Online and self-paced training
M&M Biz Solutions 817-291-6000 M&M Biz Solutions: Alaska

About Food Protection Manager Certification

A certified food protection manager (CFPM) is an individual who has management responsibilities at a food establishment and has passed an accredited exam demonstrating their food safety knowledge.

Establishments with managers certified in food safety have been shown to have better food safety practices and fewer critical violations on inspection reports. These establishments are also less likely to have a foodborne illness outbreak.

To earn food safety certification, an individual must pass one of the food safety exams accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) National Accreditation Board. A complete list of currently accredited exams is available at the ANSI Conference for Food Protection Accreditation Directory.

Many certification exams also have associated courses and study materials to enhance the food safety knowledge of managers and prepare them for the exam. Completing a course or working through study materials is a good opportunity to learn more about food safety practices and prepare for certification, but it is optional. Individuals are only certified after passing an exam.

Certification for food protection managers is valid for five years.

Requirements in Alaska

The Alaska Food Code requires that certain food establishments have at least one full-time certified food protection manager on staff. This person must be involved in the daily operations of the establishment and must be responsible for the supervision and management activities described in 18 AAC 31.320.

The State accepts certification earned through successful completion of any of the exams listed in the ANSI Conference for Food Protection Accreditation Directory.

Food Protection Certification is Required

If a food establishment serves or prepares unwrapped, unpackaged food, it must employ at least one full-time certified food protection manager.

Food Protection Certification is Not Required

The following types of food establishments are not required to have a certified food protection manager:

  • Limited food services
  • Facilities where food preparation is limited to one or more of the following:
    • Grinding coffee beans
    • Packaging foods that are not potentially hazardous
    • Serving bulk food that is displayed for consumer self-service
    • Heating a bakery product, with no other preparation
    • Providing prepackaged, commercially processed food in its original package
    • Cleaning or sanitizing utensils, if all food is prepared at another facility
    • Providing meals only one day or less in a seven-day period, if the establishment is owned and operated by an organization whose primary activity is not food service
  • Convenience stores
  • Food processing establishments

Instructors and Proctors in Alaska

The list below includes food safety instructors and exam proctors who are available across Alaska. If you are an instructor and/or an exam proctor and would like to be added to our list, please email Emily Garrett, emily.garrett@alaska.gov.

The list below is intended as a resource for food establishments in Alaska. The trainers and proctors listed are not endorsed or promoted by the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Search by Region

Arctic Alaska

Julie Cascio

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Interior Alaska

Jason Capp
Julie Cascio
Stacey Keeney
Shannon Goad

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Southcentral Alaska

David Ahlberg
Julie Cascio
Sandy Cecere
BreeAnna Erickson
Julia Fawcett
Rebecca Giedosh-Ruge
Gary May
Earl Pettyjohn
Philip Rubalcava
Ron Tracy

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Southeast Alaska

Julie Cascio
Jo Dawson
Sam Horpestad
ServSafe Proctor Only

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Southwest Alaska

Julie Cascio

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Western Alaska

Julie Cascio
Virginia Durant
Pat Owens

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Regulatory References

  • 18 AAC 31.325 Supervision and Management: Certified Food Protection Manager
  • 18 AAC 31.320 Supervision and Management: Responsibilities

Resources and Contacts

Resources

Certified Food Protection Manager Training
Information from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service about training and exam opportunities
ANSI Conference for Food Protection Accreditation Directory
Currently accredited exams that lead to food safety certification that is valid in Alaska

Contacts

Food Safety and Sanitation
Find your local Environmental Health Officer
Cooperative Extension
Municipality of Anchorage Food Safety and Sanitation Program
  • 825 L Street, Third Floor
  • P.O. Box 196650
  • Anchorage, Alaska 99519
  • 907-343-4200

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