Renewing Georgia Food Manager Certification

Stay compliant & avoid costly re-testing—know exactly when and how to renew.

Restaurant manager reviews food manager renewal paperwork in Georgia

Georgia requires Certified Food Protection Managers (CFPMs) to renew their credentials every five years. Missing the deadline can leave your kitchen out of compliance and force an expensive full exam retake. This guide explains renewal timelines, approved refresher paths, costs, pitfalls, and year-round record-keeping so you can focus on food safety—not paperwork.

Renewal Timeline

Georgia adopts a five-year validity for CFPM certificates. The critical date is the expiration line printed on your card or Certificate Registration Slip (CRS)—not the original exam date. Mark these milestones in your calendar:

Multi-unit operators often synchronize renewals to a single month to simplify staffing. If you supervise several restaurants, email your HR lead a reminder six months out.

Ideal Window (6-2 mo)
Last-Minute (≤60 days)
Expired

Approved Renewal Options

Georgia allows two renewal paths: retake the ANSI-CFP exam or complete an 8-hour GDAR-accepted refresher course. Each has benefits—exams may cost less, while refreshers avoid test anxiety. If your certificate has lapsed more than six months, Georgia Department of Agriculture rules force a full exam retake.

Renewal routes for active certificates
OptionCostTimePass Guarantee
ANSI-CFP Exam (ServSafe, NRFSP)$45-$802-3 hr incl. proctorNo – 75 % pass score
Online 8-hr Refresher$18-$35Self-pacedYes – certificate on completion
In-person 8-hr Course$75-$140Full dayYes

Follow this quick checklist to keep paperwork tidy:

  1. Choose a provider from our training resources list.
  2. Register your exam or refresher at least two weeks ahead.
  3. Save CEU certificate PDFs and exam score sheets in your renewal folder.
  4. Submit copies to county Environmental Health with the GDPH renewal form.

Cost Breakdown & Employer Tips

Costs vary by provider, location, and who picks up the bill. Use the table and estimator to gauge total spend before you budget.

Typical 2025 renewal pricing
Line-ItemTypical Cost RangeNotes
Exam Retake$45 – $80May include proctor fee
Online Refresher Course$18 – $35Instant download certificate
In-Person Refresher$75 – $140Often includes lunch & printed card
GDAR Replacement Card$10Only if original lost

Quick Cost Estimator

Estimator uses midpoint pricing; confirm current provider fees.

Renewal expenses are tax-deductible for sole proprietors under IRS Publication 535. Larger groups can slash costs with bulk vouchers—compare numbers in our food-handler cost guide for budgeting parallels.

Common Renewal Pitfalls

Even seasoned managers stumble on renewal day. Avoid these five missteps that repeatedly surface in inspection reports:

For airtight documentation processes, consult our record-keeping guide.

Maintaining Compliance

Renewal is only one piece of long-term compliance. Inspectors will ask how you maintain active knowledge between cycles. Adopt these habits to keep your operation inspection-ready and staff engaged year-round.

If your facility undergoes a menu change or equipment upgrade, revisit the inspection compliance guide to verify whether a new variance or HACCP addendum is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Georgia allows renewal as early as six months before the printed expiration date. Renewing in that window keeps the original five-year cycle intact and prevents a gap where you cannot act as the Person-in-Charge. Submit CE certificates or exam scores with your county application, and the new expiry will be five years from the current expiration date—so you do not lose any validity time.

No. Georgia accepts any ANSI-CFP accredited food manager exam, including NRFSP, Prometric, 360training, and Always Food Safe. ServSafe is popular, but not exclusive. Verify the provider’s program code in the ANSI directory before scheduling. If you prefer a refresher course, choose one that lists Georgia in its scope and keep the completion certificate for inspectors.

Technically, you may remain employed, but you cannot function as the designated CFPM during an inspection. Georgia Food Code §511-6-1-.03(5) requires an active certificate. Schedule an exam or refresher immediately. If lapsed more than six months, you must retake the full exam. Until renewed, assign another certified manager or risk a priority violation.

Yes, refresher content overlaps food-handler objectives, but it does not replace individual food-handler cards. Front-line staff still need their own certification. Use the refresher as a leadership development tool and schedule a separate handler course for hourly employees—compare prices in our cost guide for budgeting.

Most counties accept email or in-person submissions. Provide a PDF of your new certificate, CEU transcripts if applicable, and a completed county renewal form. Keep email receipts or stamped copies in your compliance binder. Some districts now allow online portals—check your county’s Environmental Health website or our upcoming local health departments directory page.

Georgia permits approved proctors or translators for exams, but there is no waiver of competency. Many providers offer Spanish, Chinese, and Korean versions. If language remains a barrier, choose an online refresher with multilingual audio, then request a proctored oral exam for the assessment portion. Document the accommodation request email in your records.

Yes. You may carry multiple active CFPM certificates as long as each is ANSI-accredited. However, inspectors only need one valid card. Maintaining two can hedge against provider outages but doubles renewal work. Align their expiration dates to simplify tracking in your compliance calendar.

Most states recognize ANSI-CFP certificates regardless of where the exam was taken, so a renewed Georgia CFPM card usually transfers. Still, confirm with the destination state’s health department—some require state-specific reciprocity forms or additional fees. Keep digital copies of exam scores to expedite acceptance.

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