Exam Preparation Booklet
Candidates for the Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE) designation will now receive a new CFBE Exam Preparation Booklet with their resource materials to streamline and focus their study and exam preparation more effectively. This booklet, along with a CD that includes all three volumes of CFBE resource materials, lets candidates assess their knowledge and experience by individual competency, and then directs them to the specific resource by volume, chapter, and subject for study and review. The goal is to help CFBE candidates focus their study on the sections of the resource materials on which they need to spend the most time.

Resource Materials CD
The CD contains six key knowledge areas that correspond with the Exam Preparation Booklet. As candidates identify knowledge areas requiring review or additional learning, they can access that information on the CD to read or print out.

• Plan A Eligibility -- Education Emphasis
  • At least a 2-year degree from an accredited institution or successful completion of the Educational Institute's five course Food and Beverage Management Specialization program.
     
    and
     
    
  • Current full-time employment as an executive-level manager or food and beverage director in hotel food and beverage administration, general manager of a freestanding restaurant facility, or executive chef with at least one year experience in one or more such positions.
        
• Plan B Eligibility -- Experience Emphasis
  • Current full-time employment as an executive-level manager or food and beverage director in hotel food and beverage administration, general manager of a freestanding restaurant facility, or executive chef with at least two years’ experience in one or more such positions.
         
  • Educators Only: Currently teaching food and beverage hospitality management courses on a full-time basis at an accredited academic institution, have one year experience in this capacity, and have one year of full-time experience in food and beverage management in a lodging hospitality company.
         
• Plan C Eligibility -- Early Entry
  • Current full-time employment as an executive-level manager or food and beverage director in hotel food and beverage administration, general manager of a freestanding restaurant facility, or executive chef.

  
  

  Plan C requires a candidate to hold a CFBE qualifying position at the time of application. Plan C does not have an education requirement, but a degree will reduce the length of time you are required to spend in a qualifying position.

  
  

  Through Plan C you can begin working on your CFBE designation and demonstrating your commitment to professional development the first day on the job. Plan C enables you to take the CFBE certification test up to three times so you can gauge your progress and knowledge against an industry proven standard. You no longer need to wait to see if you meet the benchmark of industry quality. You can prove it, and pursue a strong professional development regimen. This plan will allow individuals who are in qualifying positions to pursue their certification even if they are lacking in experience.

  
  

  A Plan C candidate who is in a qualifying position

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  • May sit for the examination BEFORE meeting the experience requirement. o May take the examination up to 3 times.
  • May sit for the examination while in the process of completing a hospitality degree.
  • Will be required to submit documentation of employment at the time the experience requirement is met.
     

•  Print, complete and return the application form  by mail or fax, along with all supporting documentation and the application/examination fee. You must have Adobe Acrobat to view this application form. Click Adobe Acrobat to download program.
• Ask your supervisor to complete and return the Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE) Recommendation/Employment Verification Form that comes with the application. Within three weeks, the Educational Institute will review the application and send notification of acceptance.
• Successfully complete the CFBE comprehensive exam through a group certification-review class or through an approved proctor. (Consult the calendar for information on review sessions.)
   

Review sessions are open to individuals enrolled in the CFBE program unless otherwise stated. Upon registering for an upcoming review, a letter of confirmation will be sent to you providing you with more details on the particular program.

A typical review session begins at 8:00 a.m. and concludes at noon. After a break for lunch, the comprehensive examination will be proctored. For additional information, contact the Institute by calling (888) 575-8726. All review/examination sessions are subject to change without notice. Some programs require a nominal registration fee payable to the sponsoring organization.

Please refer to the Certification calendar for up-to-date listings of review/examination sessions.

Ask about holding an EI-sponsored review/examination session at your next convention or through your local state association. Contact the Certification Department via e-mail at certification@ahla.com or call 407-999-8100 or 888-575-8726 for more information.