Minnesota Food Manager Certification: Getting Your CFPM Certificate

Quick answer: Yes. Minnesota requires every licensed food establishment, unless it's exempt, to employ a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM), and that means a Minnesota certificate from the Department of Health (MDH), not just a passed national exam. You take a training course, pass an accredited exam, then apply online to MDH within 6 months and pay $50. The certificate lasts 3 years; to renew, complete 4 hours of MDH-approved continuing education before it expires. New establishments, and those whose manager leaves, have 60 days.

This is general information, not legal advice. When in doubt, check with MDH or your local health department.

The Rule

Minnesota Rules, part 4626.0033 says: "A food establishment licensee shall employ a certified food protection manager (CFPM) for each establishment including a food establishment that reheats ready-to-eat TCS foods for hot holding, except as provided in item B." It has been in effect since January 1, 2019, as part of the Minnesota Food Code, which is based on the 2013 FDA Food Code. It covers restaurants, bars, food trucks, and schools licensed by MDH or a local agency, and grocery and convenience stores licensed by the Department of Agriculture (Minnesota Statutes, section 31.96).

• One per establishment: MDH says the food code "requires a food establishment to employ one CFPM," and one person can't be the CFPM for two locations. The only exception is a small assisted living facility, licensed for 10 or fewer residents, which can share a CFPM with one other facility under common management within 60 miles.
• Not every shift: the rule doesn't require the CFPM on site at all hours, but a person in charge must be present whenever you're open, and the CFPM coordinates training so one is. The rule says "employ," not full time, though some older MDH material and Bloomington's website say full time.
• Owners: MDH says many owners choose to be the CFPM, but "it is not required."

Who's Exempt

Item B of the rule exempts:

• low-risk establishments as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 157.20;
• special event food stands, which operate no more than 10 days in a license period;
• retail food vehicles, portable structures, and carts licensed by the Department of Agriculture, with no on-site food preparation; and
• places whose only food preparation is making non-TCS foods from non-TCS ingredients, processing raw meat, poultry, fish, or game for the customer to cook, or heating and serving precooked hot dogs or sausages, popcorn, nachos, pretzels, or frozen pizza.

Food trucks and seasonal stands lost their blanket exemption in 2019, so whether one needs a CFPM depends on its menu. In suburban Hennepin County, exempt establishments still need a person in charge trained in basic food sanitation.

Deadlines

• New or reopening establishments: you may open with one full-time employee who has completed the training course and passed the exam within the previous 6 months, and that person must hold the Minnesota certificate within 60 days of opening. MDH says you need at least one employee who has passed an approved exam or applied for the certificate "before you begin operating your establishment."
• When your CFPM leaves: you must employ a new one within 60 days.
• New owners: the certificate belongs to the person, so it stays valid if your CFPM keeps working there under new ownership. The rule sets no separate deadline for a change of ownership.

How to Get Your Minnesota Certificate

1. Take a training course

Minnesota requires a course as well as the exam: an applicant "shall complete a training course and pass an examination." MDH's free course search lists approved courses from ServSafe (including through Hospitality Minnesota), NRFSP, StateFoodSafety, Always Food Safe, Learn2Serve, Trust20, and hundreds of other providers.

2. Pass an accredited exam

MDH accepts only exams listed by an accrediting agency recognized by the Conference for Food Protection, and its exam link goes to ANAB's directory, which includes ServSafe, NRFSP, StateFoodSafety, Learn2Serve (360training), Always Food Safe, Trust20, and EduClasses. Each provider sets its own passing score: ServSafe requires 70%, NRFSP a scaled score of 75, StateFoodSafety 750 of 1,000 points, and Learn2Serve 75%. Try our free Food Manager Practice Test first.

3. Apply to MDH within 6 months

Apply online through the MDH Licensing System, upload your exam certificate, and pay the $45 certification fee plus a $5 technology fee, $50 in all. Paper applications ended March 31, 2025, and MDH must issue your certificate or a denial within 45 days. If your exam is more than 6 months old, you'll have to retake it; there's no reciprocity for a certificate from another state.

4. Post the certificate

Display the original certificate or an MDH duplicate, which costs $30, at the establishment. A photocopy doesn't count.

Where to Take the Exam Online

These accredited exams count toward the Minnesota certificate, and all offer an online proctor. Prices are from each provider's website, checked September 27 and rechecked October 5, 2026; confirm at checkout.

Remember the course: before you buy a course-and-exam bundle, check that the course appears in MDH's course search. EduClasses' course isn't listed there, so if you use its exam, pair it with a listed course. We may earn a commission if you buy through some of these links, at no extra cost to you; they're marked “(paid link)”. Our How Much Does Food Manager Certification Cost? Exam and Course Prices Compared explains each price.

Taking it in Spanish? ServSafe, NRFSP, StateFoodSafety, Always Food Safe, and EduClasses offer the manager exam in Spanish; 360training lists its exam in English only.

Renewing Every 3 Years

A Minnesota certificate is valid for 3 years; the first one runs from the date you passed the exam. To renew:

• Take 4 hours of approved continuing education before your certificate expires. Courses must be approved by MDH, interactive, and at least an hour long. The University of Minnesota Extension's online "Serve It Up Safely" courses cost $25 per hour, so $100 covers a renewal.
• Apply online with your continuing education certificates and the $50 fee. MDH sends a claim code, and you have up to 6 months after expiration to file.
• If you miss the window: without the continuing education done in time, MDH requires you to retake an exam, and after 6 months you start over with a course, an exam, and a new application.

Local Health Departments

Minneapolis, Bloomington (which also covers Richfield), Hennepin County, Ramsey County, and Olmsted County inspect restaurants themselves, but none issues its own manager certificate; they all rely on MDH's. Minneapolis recognizes only MDH certificates and expects the CFPM to be "someone present at the business regularly." Ramsey County, which covers suburban Ramsey but not Saint Paul or Maplewood, charges a $750 civil penalty for failing to employ a CFPM. Saint Paul, Duluth, and Dakota County establishments are licensed by MDH directly.

What Inspectors Check

MDH's inspection report lists the CFPM's name, certificate number, and expiration date, and "Certified Food Protection Manager" is one of the supervision items. MDH can issue correction orders and administrative penalty orders of up to $10,000 per inspection, which are generally forgiven if you fix the problem within 30 days, and local agencies add their own penalties.

Food Handlers on Your Team

A manager certificate is a separate credential from a food handler card, and Minnesota has no food handler card requirement. The person in charge must make sure employees are trained in food safety, including food allergy awareness, for their duties. Minneapolis offers voluntary food handler and allergen courses, free with a voucher for Minneapolis-licensed businesses and $20 for others. Our Food Handler Card Requirements by State: The 2026 Guide compares states that do require cards.

How to Study

The manager exam goes deeper than basic food safety training: HACCP, cooling, employee health, receiving, and pest control. Our Food Manager Certification: How to Pass the Exam walks through each topic, and our free Food Manager Practice Test has manager-level questions with explanations.

Prefer to study by ear? "ServSafe Manager Audio Cram," our own audio review from Kanti Press, covers the manager-level material from the 2022 FDA Food Code so you can study on a commute or between shifts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Minnesota require a certified food manager?

Yes. Every licensed food establishment needs a Minnesota Certified Food Protection Manager unless it's low risk, a special event food stand, a cart or vehicle with no on-site preparation, or limited to minimal preparation such as heating precooked hot dogs or popcorn.

How do I get a Minnesota CFPM certificate?

Complete a training course, pass an accredited exam, then apply online to MDH within 6 months of the exam with your exam certificate and the $50 fee. MDH decides within 45 days.

Is ServSafe accepted in Minnesota?

Yes. ServSafe is one of several accredited exams MDH accepts, along with NRFSP, StateFoodSafety, Learn2Serve, Always Food Safe, EduClasses, and others. You still need the Minnesota certificate from MDH.

How do I renew my Minnesota CFPM?

Complete 4 hours of MDH-approved continuing education before your certificate expires, then renew online with the $50 fee. The certificate lasts 3 years, and you have up to 6 months after expiration to file.

Can I use a food manager certificate from another state?

Not directly. Minnesota has no reciprocity: your exam must have been taken within the 6 months before you apply, so an older certificate means retaking the exam, plus the training course.

How much does Minnesota food manager certification cost?

MDH charges $50 for the certificate. Online exams with a proctor cost about $65 to $99 before the course, and renewing takes 4 hours of continuing education, about $100 through University of Minnesota Extension, plus another $50.

Bottom Line

Make sure someone on staff holds a current Minnesota CFPM certificate: a training course, an accredited exam, and an online MDH application within 6 months, then 4 hours of continuing education every 3 years. New establishments and those replacing a manager have 60 days. Start with our free Food Manager Practice Test.

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