CANADIAN CERTIFIED
FOOD SAFETY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER
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Who Would Benefit from a CCFSQAM Certification?
Employees will:
- Increase their success in the Canadian Food Processing Industry
- Gain recognition with the new CCFSQAM title in their name
- Become certified on:
- Production & Workflow Planning.
- Quality & Workforce Management.
- Food safety, health safety, sanitation, pest control, waste management programming.
- Gain additional credentials to their experience for their Food Safety and Quality Assurance manager knowledge.
- Apply their knowledge within the facility and among their co-workers.
- Instill safety standards to benefit millions of Canadians.
- Increase their career opportunities for the future.
- Demonstrate that they meet the national standard.
Employers will:
- Increase the standards in their facility for food safety with your skills.
- Benefit from your extended knowledge.
- Learn from your leadership.
- Demonstrate the industry’s high standards.
Educators will:
- Attract students who will get a start on their career path.
- Challenge the Knowledge Exam
- Obtain a Nationally recognized Canadian certification.
- Educators that offer professional certifications can tap into new markets, boost enrolments, and become leaders in their field.
Getting Started
A Standard of Excellence
The Canadian Certified Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager, developed in collaboration with industry leaders, is based on the National Occupational Standard for a Canadian Certified Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager.
FoodCert is proud to offer current food safety and quality assurance professionals the opportunity to advance their careers with this exam and designation. For your benefit, we offer multiple study resources and recommendations, and a step-by-step guide on how to be fully successful throughout the exam process. Explore our website and be on your way to gaining your designation!
Steps to achieve the CCFSQAM Certification
1. Are you Eligible
1. Are you Eligible A minimum of 3 years of experience in the last 5 years as a Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager or equivalent role.
Candidate’s experience must include actively developing or overseeing HACCP Plan (or equivalent plan). Candidate to provide a reference letter from current or past employer to prove this work experience.
Candidates are also expected to be able to prepare the following documentation for the proof of experience as part of their registration process:
- One of the following:
- Copy of diploma/ degree
- CV/ resume, and on on-the-job signed certificates or training records.
- and a Reference Letter.
Food Processing Skills Canada is responsible for conducting an annual random audit of 5%-10% of all applications through which evidence of information reported by candidates is requested. Candidates will be informed if their submission may be subject to an audit.
2. Fill Out and Submit Forms
2. Fill Out and Submit Forms - Candidates can provide either of the prerequisite requirement options below:
- Upload Diploma or degree in Science, Food Science or Quality Assurance (minimum 2 year) from post-secondary institution.
- Must provide copy of degree/diploma.
- 5 years of full-time work in food safety or quality assurance that has included on-the-job training
- Eligible roles include: HACCP coordinator, supervisor, team leader, production supervisor; on-the job training to have included HACCP/prerequisite program training, food safety and supervisory training).
- Must provide CV/resume and on-the-job signed certificates or training record
- if providing a training record it needs to be signed by HR dept or equivalent.
- Upload Diploma or degree in Science, Food Science or Quality Assurance (minimum 2 year) from post-secondary institution.
- Upload Reference Letter validating work experience.
- Pay $50 Application Review Fee (non-refundable).
- Await approval – 15 business days.
Filings are submitted by accessing the application form online to complete and upload the filings listed above. These items must be vetted before writing the exam. Without it, a candidate’s experience could not be properly justified, and would not be deemed eligible for the CCFSQAM examination.
3. Register and Payment
3. Register and Payment - To apply for certification, you’ll need to pay a processing fee that covers the cost of reviewing your initial submission. Please note that this application review fee is non-refundable.
- After you submit your application, we’ll review it within fifteen business days. If your application is approved, you can move on to the next step.
- Once approved, an email notification is sent to pay the remaining $849 CCFSQAM Certification Fee.
NOTE: In the case that your application is rejected, you will receive a refund for the cost of the certification, minus the non-refundable review fee.
Payment with Credit Card
Follow the given instructions and proceed to pay with your credit card.
4. Approval of Application
4. Approval of Application When Steps 1-3 are fully completed, your application will be revised by the registrar to verify that you satisfy the CCFSQAM certification eligibility criteria.
The registrar will:
- Determine if sufficient information is provided by candidate.
- Determine if minimum work experience is achieved. This may involve verifying information for authenticity.
- The registrar may contact you for additional information or clarity.
The review and approval process by the registrar will take approximately 15 business days. After that time has passed, you will receive an email letting you know whether your application was approved or denied.
5. Knowledge Exam
5. Knowledge Exam As a second requirement to the certification process, The Canadian Certified Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager Certification Knowledge Exam is a virtually proctored exam consisting of:
- Number of Questions: 150 multiple-choice test items:
- Each question has four (4) possible choices, with only one (1) correct answer.
- See evaluated at the bottom of the page skills for test blueprint.
- Time to Write Exam: 3.5 Hours
- Passing Score: 75%
- Online delivery with virtual proctoring
CCFSQAM Candidates will have 1-year, beginning from the time of registration, to complete the exam as per their certification process.
Candidates can access the exam session at anywhere, anytime with the oversight of an online virtual proctor for the 3.5 hour session. Candidates must successfully complete the exam with a 75% passing score to qualify to the next step of certification.
Candidates who fail the first writing of the knowledge exam can take the exam a second time after the specified time as per FPSC policy and procedures*.
*Exam rewrites must be completed within 3 months of the first attempt or candidates will need to re-register for certification. All exam registration and writings have a nominal fee to offset costs.
6. Interview Performance Assessment
6. Interview Performance Assessment After the knowledge exam is successfully completed, the candidate will be able to proceed to book an online appointment via the FoodCert Dashboard for an Interview Performance Assessment:
- The Interview is approximately 90 minutes in length.
- Conducted by trained FoodCert evaluator via an online meeting platform.
- The interview consists of three sections, with a behavioral and situational scenario for each section.
- 6 scenarios total.
- Focuses on compliance, leadership, teamwork, managerial competencies.
- Passing Score per Section as indicated on the evaluation form.
Please note the following requirements:
- Candidates will need to book their session within 6 months of completing their Knowledge Exam assessment.
- Candidates will need access to a computer,, internet, and access into the Zoom Conferencing platform in order to complete this step.
- Will require a webcam and microphone for the recorded session.
7. Receive your Designation
7. Receive your Designation Once passing both the knowledge exam and the performance evaluation, a certificate package will be sent to you with the certification passport, and certification badge to acknowledge your skills and participation.
8. Certification Renewal
8. Certification Renewal The CCFSQAM recertification process includes the submission of an online renewal application, and payment of a renewal fee every 5 years.
Requirements:
To maintain your CCFSQAM designation, ensure you meet the following criteria within the 5-year renewal period:
- Professional Development
- The training content should be relevant to the job of a FSQAM, such as food safety, food quality, food-related legislation/regulations or leadership/management.
- The training content should be relevant to the job of a FSQAM, such as food safety, food quality, food-related legislation/regulations or leadership/management.
- Proof of Participation
- Evidence for recertification may consist of a portfolio/collection of documentation such as training certificates, conference registrations, reference letters, etc.
- Renewal Form & Fee Submission – $199 CAD
- Your renewal will not be accepted unless both the fee and the application form are completed and submitted within the specified timeframe of 5 years after candidates are certified.
- Failing to meet the renewal period will require candidates to re-apply for certification if past the 60-day grace period from the renewal submission expiry date.
NOTE: In the case that your application for renewal is rejected, you will receive a refund for the cost of the certification, minus the non-refundable review fee.
Payment with Credit Card
Follow the given instructions and proceed to pay with your credit card.
Knowledge Exam
Knowledge Exam The exam is based on a selection of the competency units found in the National Occupational Standard for the Food Safety & Quality Assurance Manager. It is a virtually proctored exam consisting of 150 single-answer multiple choice questions, which may include diagrams and graphics. ; each question has four (4) possible choices, with only one (1) correct answer.
All choices are designed to be realistic, qualified candidates will need to read the choices carefully in order to be successful.
Candidates have 3 hours and 30 minutes (3.5 hours) to complete and submit the exam. The exam can be taken online at any time of the day and at any location of the candidate’s choice (i.e. home, closed office, library, etc.) with the oversight of a virtual proctor.
Completing the Knowledge Exam successfully requires a 75% passing score in order to proceed to the next step of the process.
Virtually Proctored Exam
The CCFSQAM Exam is taken in a “virtually proctored” environment. An online supervisor monitors the examinee via a webcam as he/she completes the exam. Examinees are required to provide the proctor with two pieces of Government issued ID. Virtual proctors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can be scheduled “on demand”.
- Proctoring Rules:
- Clear desk, no external devices, no talking – candidates are also required to provide the online-proctor with one piece of Government issued ID:
- Registered driver’s license
- Passport
- Health Card – must have a picture to be valid
- Citizenship, Permanent Resident, Immigration/ Refugee Card – must have a picture to be valid
- Age of majority card
- Technical Requirements:
- A good working computer with 1 GB of RAM or higher
- A high-speed internet connection (3MBps).
(Wireless is acceptable; however, a wired connection is preferred) - A webcam with 640×480 video pixel resolution (a laptop camera is acceptable)
- Working speakers connected to the computer
- A microphone connected to the computer (consider a webcam with a built-in microphone)
- Browser compatibility:
- Google Chrome (recommended),
- Microsoft Edge,
- Opera,
- Brave
Click here to learn more about the Knowledge Exam Assessment process
Interview Performance Assessment
Interview Performance Assessment Candidates successfully completing the Knowledge exam assessment will receive confirmation of successful exam completion and will be able to reserve an interview session to initiate the Interview Performance Evaluation portion of the certification process.
- The candidate will be directed to a calendar of available interview dates and times.
- The candidate will book the time and date to schedule the interview.
- Interview has to be booked within 6 months of successfully completing the Knowledge Exam.
Interview Details:
- 90-minute interview conducted over a virtual meeting on Zoom, led by a trained interviewer.
- Interviewer will ask questions designed to assess specific skills from the National Occupational Standards.
- The interview questions will be of two types: Behavioural and Situational.
- Behavioural questions are designed to help gather information from you about your actual behaviour during past experiences which demonstrate the competencies. Behavioural questions are questions like “Tell me about a time when…”.
- Situational questions present a possible future situation and ask you how you would respond in a hypothetical situation.
- The interview questions focus on compliance, leadership, teamwork and managerial competencies and are tested against 6 scenarios related to the 3 competency categories listed below:
- Quality and Compliance
- Teamwork
- Change Management
To prepare for the interview, review the competencies in the NOS listed above and think about situations you have encountered in the past that relate to these topics. Ask yourself:
- What was the situation?
- How did you approach the situation? What were the issues/challenges and how did you address them?
- Who did you involve in the situation? Why and how?
- What was the outcome?
The interviewer will be looking for you to describe how you performed the performance and knowledge statements found in the above competencies.
Certification Renewal
Certification Renewal The CCFSQAM recertification process includes the submission of an online renewal application, and payment of a renewal fee. The application form will hold your information on your professional activities, commitment to training, and current experience.
Your renewal will not be accepted unless both the fee and the application form are completed and submitted.
Requirements:
To maintain your CCFSQAM designation, ensure you meet the following criteria within the 5-year renewal period:
- Professional Development
- The training content should be relevant to the job of a FSQAM, such as food safety, food quality, food-related legislation/regulations or leadership/management.
- A maximum of 36 of these 60 hours may be completion of in-house training (training provided by employer in working hours). Training provided in-house by external training providers is not considered part of these 36 hours but contributes to the overall requirement of 60 hours.
- Candidates may also receive credit for volunteer work in the food safety/quality industry, board membership, attending conferences and involvement in national development activities (e.g. focus groups or pilot activities for National Occupational Standards or National Certification Programs).
- Credit is awarded by the hour for these activities,
i.e. eight hours at a conference equals 8 hours of credit.
- Credit is awarded by the hour for these activities,
- Proof of Participation
- Evidence for recertification may consist of a portfolio/collection of documentation such as training certificates, conference registrations, reference letters, etc.
- This evidence to be submitted to FPSC for review.
- Renewal Form & Fee Submission
- Complete and submit the CCFSQAM Recertification Form every 5 years.
- Complete and submit the CCFSQAM Recertification Form every 5 years.
- Timeline:
- Renew every 5 years; 60-day grace period.
- Failing to meet the renewal period will require candidates to re-apply for certification if past the 60-day grace period from the renewal submission expiry date.
- Failing to meet the renewal period will require candidates to re-apply for certification if past the 60-day grace period from the renewal submission expiry date.
- Renew every 5 years; 60-day grace period.
- Steps:
- Complete renewal form (details training/employment).
- Pay $199 CAD fee.
- Submit proof of training (certificates, attendance records).
- Audits:
- 5–10% of renewals audited annually.
Contact us at foodcert@fpsc-ctac.com for any inquiries or further support.
| Exam Description | The CCFSQAM Exam is taken in a “virtually proctored” environment. An online proctoring software monitors the examinee via a webcam as they complete the exam. |
| Number of Questions | 150 multiple choice questions |
| Type of Questions | Multiple choice |
| Length of Test | 3.5 hours |
| Passing Score | 75% |
| Recommended Experience | A minimum of 3 years of experience in the last 5 years as a Food Safety and Quality Assurance Manager or equivalent role. |
| Languages | English, French |
| Renewal | Every 5 Years after certification |
| Renewal Price | $199 |
| Price | $699 |
Coming Soon
This optional survey is a tool designed to evaluate your readiness for the Food Production Supervisor certification.
The survey features an extensive coverage of Food Production Supervisor competencies through a questionnaire approach where you can answer “yes”, “no” or “N/A (not applicable)” to various Food Production Supervisor competency groupings and a report will be communicated to you at the end displaying your readiness to participate with the Food Production Supervisor certification, based on your provided input(s).
| Category | Major Skill | Competency Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Food Production Management | Implement Production Plan |
|
| Food Safety Management System | Implement Food Safety Management System |
|
| Support Organizational Food Safety Culture | Support organizational food safety culture | |
| Manage Audits | Prepare for audits |
|
| Comply with Food Safety Management System | Comply with food safety management system | |
| Food Traceability | Manage Food Traceability |
|
| Implement Quality Management System |
|
|
| Monitor Product Quality |
|
|
| Monitor Product Packaging |
|
|
| Workforce Management | Hire Staff |
|
| Train Staff |
|
|
| Monitor Staff Performance |
|
|
| Manage within a Union Environment | Comply with collective agreement | |
| Pest Control | Comply with Facility Pest Control Program |
|
| Recalls | Follow Recall Plan |
|
| Equipment and Tools | Operate Food Processing Equipment |
|
| Lock Out Equipment |
|
|
| Sanitation | Oversee Facility Cleanliness |
|
| Sanitize Facility |
|
|
| Waste Management | Comply with Recycling Program |
|
| Comply with Facility Waste Management |
|
|
| Health and Safety | Manage Occupational Health and Safety Program |
|
| Comply with Occupational Health and Safety Program |
|
|
| Comply with Facility Security Program |
|
|
| Record Management | Manage Record Management |
|
| Complete Record Management Tasks |
|
|
| Financial Management | Manage Finances |
|
| Comply with Legislation/Regulations |
|
|
| Leadership | Provide Leadership |
|
| Demonstrate Professionalism |
|
|
| Communications | Communicate Effectively |
|
| Manage Time | Manage time |
|
Do I need an account to purchase an exam?
No, you do not need to sign-up anywhere before purchasing an exam. An account will be created under your registered email address, AFTER your application gets approved by the FoodCert™ team.
How much do the exams cost?
You can refer to our prices here: https://foodcert.ca/store/. Our registration application will also show a price list, specific to the certification you are applying for. Please note, prices may be subject to change.
What payment methods do we accept?
We accept all major payment methods:
- Cheques
- Credit Cards
- Visa
- Master Card
- Amex
- E-transfers
- Cash
Where can I find exam-related tools and resources?
You can find many helpful tools (specific to this exam) by clicking the resources link in the menu. We offer resources such as: Practice Exam, Study Guide, Handbook, and more.
What system requirements do I need to have to take the exam successfully?
Though the materials may differ based on the specific exam, we recommend having a high-speed Wi-Fi, working laptop, webcam, and pieces of government ID (for verification purposes).
Where will I receive my FoodCert™ notifications after signing-up for an exam?
All FoodCert™ notifications will be sent to the email address you use when filling out the exam application. This will be your official registered email address in our FoodCert™ database.
I don’t see the notifications in my inbox, where do I look?
Be sure to check in your Spam folder! If you are still having issues viewing your notifications, please let us know at foodcert@fpsc-ctac.com.
Who do I contact in case of any questions and/or comments?
We are available during working hours (Mon-Fri, 9 am – 5 pm) on foodcert@fpsc-ctac.com. You can also phone us at 613-237-7988, Toll-Free 1-877-963-7472.
How can I ensure that my certification completion package reaches my current mailing address?
Do not worry! After successfully completing the last component of the certification, you should receive an official email from the FoodCert™ team asking you to confirm your mailing address. Be sure to include the one which is most accessible for you!
How long will it take for my certification completion package to reach me?
As we use Canada Post as our choice of delivery company, you can expect your package to reach you anytime between 2-5 business days (if local). Please note, we do not take responsibility for any unexpected delays due to any unavoidable external conditions (e.g., weather). Rest assured, we will do our best to make sure that your certification package reaches you safely and promptly!
Is the certification open to participants outside of Canada/non-residents?
At this time only Canadian citizens are able to participate for our certifications. For further information or inquiries please contact us directly foodcert@fpsc-ctac.com
How do I request special accommodation to write the exam?
If you have a disability or other special needs that could interfere with your test
performance, you may be entitled to receive special accommodations. If this is
applicable to your situation, fill out and submit the Accommodation Request Form to
the Registrar’s Office, as soon as possible. At the latest, the form must be submitted a
minimum of 5 business days before your scheduled exam.
Special accommodation requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
What pieces of Government Issued ID are acceptable?
For the purposes of this exam, all forms of ID must include a photo and your full name.
In Canada, the following are acceptable forms of Government Issued ID:
- Registered driver’s license
- Passport
- Nexus Card/ Pass
- Health Card – must have picture to be valid
- Citizenship, Permanent Resident, Immigration/ Refugee Card – must have picture to be valid
- Certificate of Indian Status (laminated card issued by Indian & Northern Affairs Canada)
- Age of majority card
For questions relating to acceptable forms of ID, please contact foodcert@fpsc-ctac.com; all discrepancies will be handled on a case-by –case basis.
Plant Manager
Manufacturing Manager
Maintenance Supervisor
Manufacturing Engineer
Quality Engineer
Production Planner
Value Stream Manager
Quality Supervisor
Plant Superintendent
Plant Supervisor
