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United States · Food safety certification

ServSafe certification in Illinois: the CFPM and allergen rules

IDPH says food establishments must be supervised by a certified food protection manager with an ANSI-accredited certification. ServSafe certification counts in Illinois as one of those exams, alongside NRFSP, StateFoodSafety and Learn2Serve, for five years. Restaurant CFPMs also need allergen training within 30 days, then every three years.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Illinois requirements

Who needs itKitchen managers, with management responsibility
Exams acceptedANSI-accredited CFPM certification
Valid for5 years
Allergen trainingWithin 30 days of employment, then every 3 years
ChicagoRuns its own certification

The Illinois CFPM rule

IDPH's CFPM and Food Service Sanitation Manager (FSSMC) page says kitchen managers, the restaurant employees with management responsibility, must complete an ANSI-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager certification. Certificates are valid for five years after you complete the course and pass the exam.

Chicago runs its own certification, so if you work in the city, check with the Chicago Department of Public Health as well.

What does Illinois add to ServSafe certification?

IDPH says all certified food protection managers working in a restaurant must also complete allergen awareness training, within 30 days of employment and every three years after. The training must be accredited by ANSI.

IDPH: Food allergen awareness training FAQ ↗

Food handler training and local inspectors

Other food employees need food handler training within 30 days of hire, and may have to renew it every three years. It isn't meant for staff who are already CFPMs.

Illinois has adopted the 2022 FDA Food Code, and local health departments inspect retail food establishments where they're located.

Sources: IDPH · ServSafe · National Registry and 5 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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