You can now take our in-person Certified Food Protection Manager course in Spanish.

Starting March 2023, most food establishments need at least 1 employee with a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certificate.

The CFPM does not always need to be present. But a copy of a valid certificate must be available during inspection. You must renew your certificate every 5 years.

The CFPM ensures:

Each Person In Charge is trained and can maintain Active Managerial Control.
Required procedures and plans are current and used.

A CFPM may support more than 1 establishment. Like a restaurant or store with more than 1 location.

How to become a CFPM.

You must take an ANSI-accredited training and pass a test. You can take one of the online trainings or our in-person training at the Health Department.

We offer training in English and Spanish. You can take the test in English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and Korean.

Sign up for an upcoming training:

Visit our CFPM webpage to learn more.

Self Inspection Program

Once you have a CFPM certification, you are eligible for our Self Inspection Program (SIP). We teach you how to conduct your own food safety inspections, using the same tools our inspectors use. You can receive training in person or virtually. We offer SIP training in many languages. After training:

Your CFPM completes their own inspection each month. This includes observing and correcting food safety violations.
You send us a copy of your monthly inspections each quarter.
Pass all routine inspections for 1 year.
After 1 year of self inspections, you get a 25% discount on your food establishment’s permit fee.

You must have no more than 30 red points during an inspection to stay in the program.

If you get disqualified:

You must repay the discount you received on the annual permit. You will get an invoice.
You can reapply after 6 months once you retake the class.

How does SIP benefit my food establishment?

Better food safety practices.
Faster health inspections with fewer violations.
25% discount on your permit fee.