United States · Food safety certificationIowa's rule in short
| Who needs a CFPM | One per establishment, needn't be on site at all hours |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 6 months for a new license or after losing your CFPM |
| Exams accepted | ServSafe, NRFSP, StateFoodSafety, Learn2Serve, 1AAA, Always Food Safe |
| Who inspects | DIAL, or one of 10 local health departments |
Who needs a CFPM in Iowa?
Iowa adopts the 2017 FDA Food Code with its supplement, with changes in rule 481-31.1. That rule lets you have one CFPM who isn't always on site, as long as they have supervisory authority and the person in charge shows knowledge and active managerial control. If an inspection finds the person in charge falls short, you get six months to make sure every person in charge is a CFPM.
A new license gives you six months, and so does losing your CFPM. Temporary and farmers market establishments are exempt, and so are places that prepare no food and only serve ice, drinks, prepackaged snacks, popcorn or peanuts, or reheat commercially prepared food.
Does Iowa list ServSafe certification as accepted?
DIAL's food resources page lists ANSI-accredited providers: 1AAA, 360training/Learn2Serve, StateFoodSafety, Always Food Safe, the Iowa Restaurant Association (ServSafe) and NRFSP. The same courses also meet the training rule for Iowa home food processing establishments.
DIAL's rule has no expiry date of its own; the date your provider prints on the certificate is the one that counts.
Who inspects you
DIAL contracts with 10 local health departments covering 31 counties, and inspects directly in the other 68. Ask whichever one licenses your business.
Sources: Iowa Administrative Code 481 · Iowa DIAL · ServSafe and 1 more. Checked October 2026.
- Iowa Administrative Code 481, Chapter 31 (food establishments) ↗
- Iowa DIAL: Food resources ↗
- Iowa DIAL: Food inspection jurisdictions ↗
- ServSafe: Does my certificate expire? ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.