Professional growth
FCSI’s Continuing Professional Growth (CPG) Program
FCSI consultant members engage in lifelong development to maintain and improve knowledge and skills for competent consulting. This includes continuous self-assessment to identify professional strengths and learning needs, establishment of short- and long-term goals for individual professional development, and selection of educational opportunities for which appropriate Continuing Educational Units (CEUs) are awarded to recognize achievement of these goals.
Maintaining your FCSI membership status
Since 2010, consultant members in the following categories must earn the specified number of CEUs each year in order to maintain their membership status:
Rolling forward CEUs
Current educational opportunities for consultants
If you are looking for a specific type of program, you can also select one of the options below to see available programs.
Set-date events
Our Education Providers are delighted to host education sessions at their factories
and offices! Get hands-on, timely training that will help you strengthen your foodservice skills and knowledge.
Flexible date events
Are you interested in visiting Education Providers but have a busy schedule this year?
Work directly with Education Providers to attend education sessions and tours at a mutually convenient time!
‘Your place’ events
Have the Education Providers bring presentations and training to your office!
Webinars
Expand your knowledge on your own time and at your own pace!
Submitting and tracking your CEUs
The table below describes activities that qualify for CEUs:
| CEUs | Activity |
| 1 per hour | Attendee – educational seminar |
| 1 per tour | Tours of manufacturer’s/supplier’s facilities |
| 3 per hour | Seminar presenter (sole) |
| 2 per hour | Seminar panelist |
| .5 per 500 words | Single Author |
| .25 per 500 words | Co-Author |
| .125 per 500 words | Contributing Author |
| 2 each | Authoring Reviews on Software and Books |
| 1 per hour | Video or Multimedia Self-Study Programs |
| 1 per hour of instruction | Related educational courses approved by the CPSTA |
| 3 each | Attendance at industry trade shows/exhibitions |
| 20 per test | Successful completion of the IKE & PSE |
| 3 for minimum of 10 hours per year | Providing service to FCSI and/or other industry groups |
Professional membership
The ultimate goal for eligible consultants is to attain the status of Professional Member. Associate members must first upgrade their membership to Senior Associate. Associates interested in becoming Professional Members must have three years of total project management experience. Once approved as a Senior Associate, candidates have three years to prepare for and pass the Industry Knowledge Exam and the Professional Skills Exam (PSE requirement is suspended through 2023).
Click here for details on qualifying and pursuing Professional Membership with FCSI.
Body of knowledge for the exams
Click here for the Body of Knowledge for the Industry Knowledge Exam (IKE) and the Professional Skills Exam (PSE). This page also includes sample questions of the IKE. Please note PSE requirement is suspended through 2023.
Click here for the 2023 Industry Knowledge Exam (IKE) Candidate Packet
Sample IKE questions
These questions represent the level of knowledge expected for successful completion of the IKE. Note: the BOK source for the question’s answer is shown below the question.
1.In order to bring an action under common law against a party for breach of an implied warranty, there must be
- Privity of contract
- A uniform commercial code
- A written indemnity clause
- Adequate coverage
Source: Understanding Hospitality Law, 5th edition, page 267
The conditions that must be present for germs to multiply are
- Moisture
- Comfortable temperature
- Proper acidity
- All of the above
Source: The Management of Food and Beverage Operations, 5th edition, page 288