CBSP: Certified Baking Science Professional

The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) in partnership with the Home Baking Association (HBA) proudly offers a gold-standard, assessment-based credential for Baking Science Professionals developed by subject-matter experts and consistent with industry and national content standards.  The credential is open to professionals across many disciplines and practice settings, including

  • Public K-12 education or post-secondary/higher education
  • Community based education programs, such as Cooperative Extension
  • Business and industry and entrepreneurs who work in areas related to baking science.

The credential validates knowledge and skill in the areas of

  1. Careers
  2. Food Safety and Sanitation
  3. Baking Equipment
  4. Baking Math
  5. Baking Ingredients
  6. Baking Techniques
  7. Baking Food Science

How does a professional earn the CBSP credential?

  • Pass the competency exam associated with the credential - Click here to learn more about exam content and format and to register for an exam administration
  • Within 10-14 days after successful completion of the competency exam, candidates will receive an exam notification and certification application via email.
  • Upon receipt of the certification application, submit the application and appropriate documentation (official transcript verifying completion of a baccalaureate degree or industry experience form).
  • Pay the initial certification application fee according to the following fee schedule:
    • Current AAFCS Members: $250 initial certification fee
    • Graduating Seniors (full-time university, college, or post-secondary students): $175 initial certification fee
    • Nonmembers of AAFCS: $350 initial certification fee
    • NOTE:  The initial certification fee covers the cost of obtaining the certification credential and the first three-year certification cycle.
  • Ascribe to the Professional Code of Ethics

How does a professional maintain the CBSP credential?

  • Pay a cycle (three-year) maintenance fee ($195 for active; $165 for retired)
  • Meet professional development requirements - As a measure of quality assurance, maintaining the CBSP credential carries a requirement of completing a minimum of 75 professional development units (PDUs with 1 PDU equaling 1 clock hour) during the three-year cycle. To qualify, the professional development must be related to one of the seven competency areas associated with the credential. Click here for details on reporting professional development activities.


Earning Professional Development Units (PDUs)

The Certified Baking Science Professional (CBSP) credential is supported by: