Denver, CO (January 29, 2019) – The application period for the American Cheese Society’s (ACS’s) 2019
certification exams is now open. Qualified cheese professionals may apply online to take the ninth Certified
Cheese Professional® Exam or the second ACS T.A.S.T.E. Test™. Both exams will be held on Wednesday,
July 31, 2019 in Richmond, VA, in conjunction with the 36th Annual ACS Conference & Competition.

ACS first established itself as a leader in cheese industry certification with the launch of the ACS Certified Cheese
Professional® (CCP) Exam in 2012. This exam encourages high standards of comprehensive cheese knowledge
and service for professionals across the industry and encompasses a broad range of topics including raw
ingredients, the cheesemaking process, storing and handling cheese, selecting distributors, marketing and
communicating about cheese, nutrition, and regulations and sanitation. Individuals who pass the exam earn the
title of ACS Certified Cheese Professional® or ACS CCP®. They also receive an official lapel pin, patch, and
certificate. There are nearly 1,000 ACS CCPs® in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and the U.K.

Launched in 2018, the ACS T.A.S.T.E. Test™ (Technical, Aesthetic, Sensory, Tasting Evaluation) is the second
industry credential offered by ACS. It is a hands-on exam that evaluates cheese professionals’ knowledge and
skills in the assessment of cheese, from determining cheese condition and quality, to evaluating cheese flavor,
body, texture, and appearance. Individuals who pass earn the title of ACS Certified Cheese Sensory Evaluator™
or ACS CCSE™, and they receive an official lapel pin, patch, and certificate. There are currently 30 ACS
CCSEs™ in the United States, Canada, and France.

Exam applications will be accepted online through March 31, 2019, or until spaces are filled. In order to be eligible
for either exam, candidates must meet a set of minimum eligibility requirements including work and/or education
hours in the industry. Learn more about eligibility criteria and application deadlines and fees on the ACS website
or contact Josh Hendrickson, ACS Certification Manager, at 720-328-2788 for more information.

For a directory of ACS CCPs® and ACS CCSEs™, visit https://www.cheesesociety.org/certification-directory.