Are you looking to advance your career in child nutrition while supporting healthy meals for children in your care? The National CACFP Association’s Child Nutrition Professional (CCNP) and Management Professional (CMP) certifications recognize your expertise, leadership, and commitment to high-quality CACFP operations.
Ready to apply or renew your CCNP or CMP? Click below to see a list of accepted courses.
Designed for home child care providers, center staff, and personnel at sponsoring organizations or agencies that administer CACFP. CCNP Certification demonstrates competence in nutrition, meal pattern compliance, and program operations.
For CACFP administrators and managers (e.g., sponsors, centers, state agencies). Requires 5 or more years experience with at least 3 years in CACFP administration. CMP Certification Recognizes leadership and program integrity.
| Certification | Initial Fee |
|---|---|
| CCNP | $75 |
| CMP | $175 |
CACFP certifications are valid for three years. To renew, submit your renewal form, CEU documentation, and payment before expiration.
| Certification | Renewal CEUs | Renewal Fee | Renewal Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCNP | 16 hrs in Specialties 1–3 (minimum 12 hrs in Specialty 1) | $75 | 3 years |
| CMP | 24 hrs in Specialties 1–7 | $175 | 3 years |
Care Courses offers online CACFP training that fulfills training requirements for both CCNP and CMP certifications. Choose from the list of courses below to meet your CACFP training hours in Specialty areas 1 and 6.*
Creating Positive Workplace Environments in Child Care
Fun and Fitness: 
Hiring and Supervising Qualified Staff in Child Care
Nutrition in Early Childhood: Shaping a Healthy Future
Running a Family Child Care Program
Staff Development
Supporting Breastfeeding in Child Care
Understanding and Managing*Please note that Care Courses' accreditor, the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), defines 1 CEU as equalling 10 clock hours of training. Our certificates of completion will state the number of clock hours and the IACET definition of CEUs earned. The National CACFP Association states that 1 CEU = 1 clock hour of training. Please refer to the clock hours on our certificates for the total amount of training credit earned. For example, the course Nutrition in Early Childhood: Shaping a Healthy Future grants 6 hours (equaling 6 CACFP CEUs) in Specialty 1.
CACFP stands for the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The CACFP is a federal program that offers reimbursements for healthy and nutritions meals at eligible childcare and adult care programs. The National CACFP Association, a national organization for those that administer the CACFP, offers two certifications (the CCNP and CMP) to enhance your professional experience and resume and demonstrate your willingness to upholding high CACFP standards.
CCNP is for providers/center staff and agency staff involved in CACFP operations. CMP is for administrators with 5+ years’ experience, including 3+ in CACFP administration at a sponsor organization, center, or state agency.
Training hours and CACFP CEUs must be completed within the last 5 years and recorded in one-hour increments (1 hour = 1 CACFP CEU).
No. Unless CACFP-specific, these do not count toward CCNP or CMP training hours.
Each certification is valid for 3 years.
Apply and renew through the National CACFP Association: www.cacfp.org/certification-application/.
Earn CACFP CEUs with Care Courses
