Certification Exam

The Highest Standard for Cheese Professionals
As the leader in specialty cheese, the American Cheese Society is launching the Certified Cheese Professional™ Exam (CCPE) – the only exam of its kind. The CCPE was established to encourage improved standards of comprehensive cheese knowledge and service, offering professionals in the cheese industry the opportunity to earn the distinguished title of ACS Certified Cheese Professional™, or ACS CCP™.

The letters ACS CCP™ designate that an individual has acquired thorough knowledge and the level of expertise that is demanded of the cheese industry. The American Cheese Society will maintain an online directory of individuals with the ACS CCP™ designation for reference by organizations and individuals seeking employees, giving ACS CCP™s and their employers a competitive edge.

2012 Exam is Filled – Applications are Now Being Accepted for 2013

The inaugural Certified Cheese Professional™ Exam has filled to capacity! If you have not yet applied for the 2012 CCPE™, please note that ACS is now accepting applications for the 2013 exam. The 2013 exam will be held immediately prior to the 2013 ACS Conference & Competition (date and location to be announced soon). 

Should any openings become available for the 2012 exam due to deferrals or cancellations, ACS will offer spaces to individuals who are approved to take the exam in 2013 on a rolling basis, based on the order in which applications are received.

• Steps to Earning Your Certification
• Exam Handbook & Application
• About the Exam
• Exam Eligibility Criteria
• Exam Fees
• 2012 Exam Details
• 2013 Exam Details
• Exam Administration & Oversight
• Body of Knowledge
• Bibliography
• Recertification
• Sponsors & Supporters
• Exam Advisors

Steps to Earning Your Certification

1. Carefully read the Certification Handbook.
2. Apply to take the exam via the link provided in the Certification Handbook. Each application will be carefully reviewed to ensure that candidates meet the eligibility criteria. Read more about the Application Review Process.
3. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to register for the exam.
4. As the 2012 exam is filled, new applicants will be accepted to take the exam in 2013, immediately prior to the ACS Conference & Competition (date and location to be announced soon).
5. The first class of ACS CCP™s will be notified in fall 2012.

About the Exam
The CCPE is given electronically. Candidates will have a maximum of 3 hours to answer 150 multiple choice questions. The exam measures candidates’ mastery of cheese knowledge and best practices, and evaluates candidates’ understanding of core competencies common to the majority of cheese industry jobs: retailers, cheesemongers, cheesemakers, distributors, importers/exporters, restaurateurs, educators, and food writers. Exam content is developed from domains within the ACS Body of Knowledge.

Exam Eligibility Criteria
All candidates must meet the CCPE eligibility criteria before applying to take the exam. Find out more about the Application Review Process.

Exam Fees*

• Application Processing Fee (see step #2 above): $35
• Exam Registration Fee (see step #3 above): $500 for ACS members / $650 for non-members*
• Has your application been accepted? Please remember to log in to our website if you haven’t already done so, and then pay your Exam Registration Fee.

*All fees are non-refundable. If you would like to become an ACS member to enjoy the lower exam registration fee, visit our Membership page or call 720-328-2788.

2012 Exam Details
The first exam will be administered in Raleigh, North Carolina, on August 1 immediately prior to the 29th Annual ACS Conference & Competition. Please note that the 2012 exam is filled to capacity. If you have not yet applied for the 2012 CCPE™, please note that ACS is now accepting applications for the 2013 exam. Should any openings become available for the 2012 exam due to deferrals or cancellations, ACS will offer spaces to individuals who are approved to take the exam in 2013 on a rolling basis, based on the order in which applications are received.

2013 Exam Details
The 2013 exam will be held immediately prior to the 30th Annual ACS Conference & Competition. The date and location for the exam will be announced in spring 2012.

Exam Administration & Oversight
A committee consisting of ACS staff and cheese industry leaders reviews all applications for certification. The American Cheese Society is responsible for administering the exam.

Recertification
ACS CCP™s will be required to renew their certification with ACS every 3 years by demonstrating continued professional development in the cheese industry.

Sponsors & Supporters The CCPE is made possible through the generous contributions of industry supporters. Sponsorship opportunities to support the exam are available: to learn more about gaining visibility for your brand as a CCPE sponsor, contact 720-328-2788 or email rorozco@cheesesociety.org.

Exam Advisors
Many industry professionals have contributed to the development of the CCPE, including: