ACF Renewal Certification Information
The ACF requires certification renewal every five years in order to remain current with present day trends in the culinary industry. [If you are planning to upgrade your certification, please fill out an Initial Certification Application instead.]
You may want to begin your renewal process approximately 1 year from
your expiration date. We recommend you maintain a folder with copies
of your official certificates and letters, conference registrations,
transcripts, etc. in order to keep track of your progress.
If you would like to request an extension, please contact the Certification Department for approval prior to renewing your certification. If your certification is not renewed within this time, you will have to retake the written exam and take the practical exam, if it was never taken.
The Application Process: Renewing your certification
Step 1: Fill out a renewal Renewal Certification Application.
Step 2: Provide the necessary documentation for your Continuing
Education Hours (CEHs). They must include the number of hours
taken and the date it was completed. Do not send original certificates!
Properly secure all paperwork together. You must take 8-hour refresher
courses for Food Safety and Sanitation, Nutrition, and Culinary Supervisory
Management as part of your 80 CEHs. They are available at www.chefcertification.com.
Step 3: Include payment either by credit card information
on the application or with a check or money order made payable to
the American Culinary Federation.
Lifetime Certifications Available
Lifetime certifications are available for all certified chefs who
reach the age of 62 or who by the age of 55 are fully retired from
the industry. Certified chefs who are forced to retire before reaching
the age of 55 for disability reasons can also apply. Simply send in
an ACF
Lifetime Certification Application with your proof of age and/or
disabilities, plus a one time fee of $50.00 for ACF members and $100.00
for non-members.
