Do I need a food manager certification in Florida?

Step 1. Check that your workplace is covered. The law applies to public food service establishments: any place where food is prepared, served or sold for immediate consumption on or in the vicinity of the premises, taken out by customers, or prepared to be delivered elsewhere. Some places are left out. These include places a school, college or university runs for its students and faculty, eating places a church or a religious, fraternal or civic nonprofit runs for its members, eating places on a common carrier such as a train or bus, places run by a facility licensed or regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administration or the Department of Children and Families, and places permitted or inspected by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Read the full list in Florida Statutes § 509.013 definitions.

Step 2. Check that your job is covered. The law covers managers who store, prepare, display or serve food to the public in those places. If your job is different, ask your employer whether the rule applies to you.

Step 3. Check whether you're exempt. The state's rule exempts temporary food service vendors and vending machine operators licensed pursuant to Chapter 509, Part I, from the manager rule. Then find out how many certified managers your place needs. The rule says each licensed place must have at least one certified food protection manager. When four or more employees work with food at one time, a certified manager must be there.

Step 4. Count 30 days from when you're employed. The law gives a manager 30 days after they're employed to pass the required test. Book the test early, because the clock starts when you're employed.

Step 5. Pick an approved test. The law calls for a test that the Conference for Food Protection has approved. A pass shows you know how to keep food safe. Ask your employer which one it uses.

Step 6. Take the test through a group that runs it. The state may contract with a group to give the test. Other groups whose programs meet the same rules may give it too. After you pass, the group that certifies you issues your certificate.

Step 7. Know what your employer must show. A public food service business must give the state proof of manager certification when it asks, even at an inspection.