Portland, ME Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- 1+ CFPM per food establishment
- Standard
- Maine Food Code § 1.201.10.B
- Proof due
- Before new/renewal Ch. 15 license
- Replacement window
- 60 days after CFPM departs
- Flat fine
- $150 per violation
- Enforcer
- City Food Inspector
Summary
Every food service establishment in Portland must designate at least one supervisory employee as a Certified Food Protection Manager under Sec. 11-10, and prove it before any Chapter 15 food license is issued or renewed. If the certified manager leaves, the operator has 60 days to replace the certification, and inspectors can demand proof on the spot; missing the 60-day window carries a flat $150 fine.
(a) A food service establishment must have at least one employee granted supervisory and management responsibility designated a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) as defined in Section 1.201.10.B of Maine State Food Code 2013... Proof of CFPM certification is required as follows: 1. Prior to the issuance of any new license required by Chapter 15; 2. Prior to the renewal of any license required by Chapter 15. 3. Within 60 days of the date when a CFPM leaves employment; 4. At the time of any inspection by the City's Health Inspector... In addition to license suspension or revocation, violations of subsection 11-10(a)(3)& (4), above, shall result in a penalty to the violator of $150.00.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Sec. ' Proof of CFPM certification is required at four checkpoints: before any new Chapter 15 food license issues, before any Chapter 15 license renews, within 60 days of the date the certified manager leaves employment, and at the time of any inspection by the City's Health Inspector. Proof goes to the City Food Inspector, who must certify compliance to the Permitting and Inspections Department before a Chapter 15 license can be issued, the department will not process the license without that sign-off. Sec. 11-10(b) makes noncompliance grounds for the Permitting and Inspections Department to deny, suspend, or revoke the establishment's Chapter 15 license.
00 penalty per violation. The rule traces to the city's 2015 amendment ordinance (Ord. No. 208-14/15) and was most recently amended by Ord. No. 18-17/18 in 2017.
Violations & Fines
Missing the CFPM at inspection or failing to certify a replacement within 60 days of a departure draws a flat $150.00 fine per Sec. 11-10(b), on top of possible denial, suspension or revocation of the establishment's Chapter 15 food service license by the Permitting and Inspections Department for failing to maintain a certified manager at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Portland restaurant need a Certified Food Protection Manager?
What happens if my CFPM quits?
What standard does Portland's CFPM certification have to meet?
Who enforces the CFPM requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
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