American Culinary Federation (ACF)

Certified Master Chef (CMC)

Credential: Certified Master Chef (CMC)  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: American Culinary Federation (ACF)

Renewal Period: 5 years

The American Culinary Federation (ACF), Certified Master Chef (CMC) certification is designed to identify those chefs and inform the public of individuals who have demonstrated mastery of culinary competence and expertise through education, experience, knowledge, and skills consistent with the master chef level. Candidates must hold a current ACF Certified Executive Chef (CEC) certification or Certified Culinary Educator (CCE) certification with special permission. Candidates are required to meet educational and experience requirements to be eligible for the CMC certification exam. Candidates must pass practical exams.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Certified Master Chef (CMC)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    medium

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite: Hold a current ACF Certified Executive Chef (CEC) or Certified Culinary Educator (CCE) with special permission.
  • Experience
  • Education: Semester/Course Hours
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

  • In-person exam
  • Remote proctored on-line exam
  • Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 5 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

American Culinary Federation (ACF)

180 Center Place Way
St. Augustine, FL  32095

Phone: (904) 824-4468

Fax: (904) 940-0741
Email: helpdesk@acfchefs.net

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Option 1:

Candidate must have obtained the Certified Executive Chef (CEC) level of certification and be currently employed in a food service operation with supervisory responsibilities.

Option 2:

Candidate must have obtained the Certified Culinary Educator (CCE) level of certification. CCE certification holders must acquire special permission.

Additional information can be found in the Certified Master Chef Candidate Handbook on the ACF website.

Candidate must provide documentation of education and continuing education hours (CEH) in each of the following:

  • 30 hours of education on wine and wine service;
  • 30 hours of human resources management;
  • 30 hours of advanced sanitation; and
  • 30 hours of cost control management*
*30 hours of cost management must be completed if the candidate earned the Certified Executive Chef (CEC) certification prior to January 1, 2018.

The Certified Master Chef (CMC) credential has the following other requirements:

  • Candidate must abide by the ACF Certification Code of Ethics.
  • Candidate must provide documentation of financial support from an employer, owner, co-owner or other resource. Financial support letter verifies the candidate’s commitment to the exam process and ability to complete the process.
  • Candidate must provide documentation (letter) of support from one current CMC. The letter is verification that the candidate understands the spirit of the exam process and has the willingness to attempt the exam.
Show Practical Exam Requirements / Hide Practical Exam Requirements

  • Freestyle Cuisine
  • Healthy Cooking
  • Global Cuisine
  • Baking and Pastry
  • Buffet Catering
  • Classical Cuisine
  • European Cuisine
  • Market Basket

  • Buffet Catering - Part 1 and 2
  • Classical Cuisine - Part 1 and 2
  • European Cuisine
  • Market Basket Final

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Certified Master Chef (CMC) examination:

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

  • Exam Administration

    Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Certified Master Chef (CMC) credential where checked:

    • In-person exam
    • Remote proctored on-line exam
    • Third-party test vendor

  • For more information on the American Culinary Federation (ACF) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Master Chef (CMC)

Renewal Period: 5 years

The Certified Master Chef (CMC) credential has the following recertification information:

  • The Certified Master Chef (CMC) certification is renewed every five years. CMC certification holders must obtain 50 continued education hours (CEH) during each recertification cycle. A recertification fee is required.
  • CMC certification holders must maintain current status on Food Safety and Sanitation for every recertification cycle. An eight-hour refresher, state issued sanitation card or ServSafe can be used to fulfill this requirement.
  • CMC certification holders must submit Nutrition and Supervisory Management refreshers (eight hour minimum) for every recertification cycle once the original 30-hour courses are more than five years old.
  • 25% of the CMC certification holder's CEH must come from volunteer, leadership, or competition activities.

    Additional information can be found on the ACF Recertification website.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 through E9

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click to go to the external link for GI Bill licensing and certification information.

ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch

Army e-learning

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NKO e-learning

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Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Registered Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities.

Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Chefs and Head Cooks
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Chefs and Head Cooks

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Click here for external link to: My Next Move for Veterans State Map for Chefs and Head Cooks

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Updated: March 31, 2021
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