Food Manager Certification

Many Michigan food establishments must employ at least one certified food manager.

Manager Certification Myths and Facts helps answer many questions about the manager certification regulation.

Regulation 570 - Manager Certification 

Food Law of 2000 (see section 2129 & 7106 for actual language regarding manager certification requirements)

These rules, as written, allow the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) to issue statewide variances.  MDARD has issued statewide variances to the manager certification requirement for certain types of establishments.

• State-Wide Variances

Local health inspected establishments that must have a certified manager include:

• All food service establishments (e.g., restaurants, bars, schools, hospitals, mobile food establishments, and special transitory food units) except:
  • vending machine locations
  • temporary food service establishments

MDARD inspected establishments that must have a certified manager include:

• A food service establishment within a retail grocery. 
• Extended retail food establishments.  These are typically grocery stores with a deli and seating.
• Establishments that press apple cider.  These establishments shall have at least 1 active employee currently certified by passing an approved food manager certification examination or having completed a current approved safe cider production course.  Cider Manager Food Safety Certification and GMPs.
• Mobile food establishments
• Special transitory food units (STFUs)

Contact the inspecting agency with any questions.  

• Local Health Department
• MDARD

Becoming Certified or Recertified
To be certified you must pass an ANSI/CFP nationally accredited exam once every 5 years.  To prepare for the exam, most individuals take a class (in person or on-line) or self-study.  Exams are proctored and must be taken either at an approved testing site or are given at the end of a course by an approved instructor.

Finding a course, trainer, textbook or exam
By phone:

• Local Health Department
• Michigan State University Extension (call 888-678-3464)

On-Line:

ANSI/CFP Nationally Accredited Exams Used by Course Providers