General FAQ's
Florida has 3 agencies that regulate food safety DBPR, DOH and DACS. More information.Â
Food Safety FAQ's
Florida Statutes Chapter 509.039 requires that all managers in a public food service establishment receive their CPFM certification and that establishments employing more than four or more persons responsible for the storage, preparation, display, and serving of food to the public must have at least one certified food manager (CFM) on duty at all times. More about Food Manager Certification Testing
Florida Statutes Chapter 509.039 requires that all managers in a public food service establishment receive their CPFM certification and that establishments employing more than four or more persons responsible for the storage, preparation, display, and serving of food to the public must have at least one certified professional food manager (CPFM) on duty at all times. More about Food Manager Certification Testing
Upon employment in a DBPR licensed foodservice operation, a manager has 30 days to pass the required examination and become certified as a CPFM.
Every Florida food employee in a DBPR-licensed food service establishment that receives prepares, stores, or serves food, or handles food contact surfaces, must complete employee food handler training related to their specific job duties.
Upon employment in a DBPR licensed food service operation, an employee has 60 days to be trained in the Food Handler program.
Once you complete Food Handler Training, your certificate is good for three years from the date of the training.
Written examination booklets are offered in English or bilingual Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, French Canadian and large print. Requests for exams in languages other than English require 30 days advance notice and preregistration.
Responsible Vendor Alcohol & Tobacco FAQ's
Online Alcohol training courses do not meet all of the requirements of the Florida Responsible Vendor F.S. 561.705. Online courses can be a great supplement for new employees or employees who missed their tri-annual alcohol meeting.
Alcohol server training and compliance with the Florida Responsible Vendor is voluntary. Becoming a Qualified Responsible Vendor is an advantage to your establishment in many ways. The Responsible Vendor Act, Florida Statutes 561.701-706, was created to protect an establishment's alcohol license. Licensed alcohol establishments that comply with the Act and train employees in responsible alcohol service practices, based on the requirements listed in the Statute, will earn Responsible Vendor Status and mitigation or exemption from suspension or revocation of the alcohol license on a first-time alcohol violation.
All employees dealing with the sale or service of Alcohol or Tobacco in a Florida DBPR licensed establishment must attend tri-annual update meeting as a part of being in compliance with the law. This means even if your certificate is valid tri-annual update meetings are still required.
F.S 561.705 Require all employees to attend meetings tri-annually, every four months. These meetings must include the dissemination of information covering applicable subjects specified in this section and an explanation of the vendor’s policies and procedures relating to those subjects.
You must be 18 years of age to serve or sell alcohol and tobacco in Florida.
Your qualification by Professional Hospitality Training will help your license be protected from the standard suspension or revocation for the sale/service or consumption of alcohol by minors, or drug activity on your premises and will also provide you with professional representation for violations against your license. Proof of training can also limit fines. Employee Training is essential to responsible service of Alcoholic Beverages on your licensed premise.
An employee under the age of 18 may not be involved in the preparation, service or sale of alcohol. However, they are permitted to remove dirty tableware, including beverage alcohol glassware, if it is part of their assigned job responsibilities