Discover comprehensive information on ServSafe requirements by state in this helpful guide. Gain insights into the specific regulations and guidelines governing food safety across different states. Explore ServSafe certifications, training programs, and key compliance standards in this invaluable resource. Stay informed and ensure your business meets ServSafe requirements by state for a safe and successful operation. In this guide, Servsafe-Prep will show you all the information you need to know
What Is ServSafe Certification?
The National Restaurant Association (NRA) created the ServSafe teaching program. Its primary purpose is to educate food service employees about food safety. However, it is not limited to NRA members; anybody may become ServSafe certified.
According to ServSafe, the average American buys around 200 restaurant meals every year. They also estimate that approximately 1 million restaurants employ roughly 14 million food service employees in the United States. To safeguard the public from foodborne illness, a food safety education program is required.
Over 40,000 members of the National Restaurant Association represent approximately 500,000 food service enterprises. For its curriculum, ServSafe depends on the experience of these individuals as well as the guidelines in the United States Food Code. They give a nationally approved food safety certificate, which is needed by law in several jurisdictions.
What Are The ServSafe Requirements By State?
Each state may have its own set of food safety and ServSafe program rules and laws. These regulations may include mandated food handler and management training and certification, as well as particular norms for food handling, storage, cleanliness, and other related activities. To maintain a safe and sanitary environment for handling and serving food, food service facilities and persons working in the sector must comply with several state-specific criteria.
Arizona
Individuals in supervisory positions should be knowledgeable about avoiding foodborne diseases, and passing a Food Protection Manager test through an authorized program is one method to demonstrate competence. While state-level certification examinations are not uniformly needed, they are mandated in some counties. ANAB-CFP ServSafe, NRFSP, AlwaysFoodSafe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric are among the authorized certification examinations accepted. Certificates in the state normally need to be renewed every five years.
California
Each state has its own set of rules for dealing with potentially dangerous non-prepackaged food. These businesses must have an owner or employee who has passed a nationally recognized food safety certification exam, such as ANAB-CFP ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, or Prometric. The certification test is required throughout the state, and it must be renewed every five years. Under Senate Bill 303, all food handlers in California are required to get a food handler card from an ANAB-accredited training institution within 30 days of being recruited.
Connecticut
Every class III or IV facility, including itinerant food vending and food catering operations, must have at least one competent food operator in a supervisory capacity who has passed a certification exam offered by an approved testing agency. ANAB-CFP Accredited Certification examinations such as ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric are examples of authorized certification exams. These tests guarantee that food operators have the knowledge and abilities required to maintain food safety requirements in their operations.
Florida
Every licensed restaurant must have at least one certified food protection manager on staff at all times. Managers in charge of food storage, preparation, display, and public service must complete an ANAB-CFP certified food management certification test. Exams allowed for certification include ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric. The certificate is valid for a period of five years. Furthermore, in order to earn a food worker certificate, all food service personnel working in licensed facilities governed by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants must undergo a food safety training program.
Georgia
Every licensed facility must have at least one qualified food protection manager who is in charge of all operational hours. Managers in charge of food storage, preparation, display, and public service must complete a food management certification test from an ANAB-CFP-authorized curriculum. The certification test is required, and recognized examinations include ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric. The certificate is valid for five years. In addition, all food service personnel working in licensed businesses governed by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants must complete a food safety training program in order to earn a food worker certificate.
Illinois – Including the City of Chicago
All food service enterprises, with the exception of Category III facilities, must have a certified food service sanitation manager present at all times in order to operate. This certification is achieved after passing a supervised examination and finishing an authorized course. The certification test is required and is available from a variety of certified organizations, including ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric. To satisfy the food safety training requirement, people must also complete 8 hours of training from a state-approved program. The certification is valid for 5 years, and there is a $52 certificate fee payable to King-Kennedy College for students working in the City of Chicago.
Indiana
To ensure food safety at a food establishment, at least one food handler must be certified by taking a test from an ANAB-CFP-authorized program, such as ServSafe. Other recognized examinations are NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric. The certification exam is required. The certification is valid for five years and must be renewed after that. These steps are intended to uphold good food handling procedures and to keep the food service business safe.
Louisiana
The food establishment owner or a chosen employee must have a food safety certificate that is specific to that establishment. ANAB-CFP has authorized certification tests such as ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric. The required food safety training is 8 hours, and the certificate must be updated every 5 years. To get the certification, you must submit a completed application to the Retail Food Program, as well as proof of completion of an authorized training program and passing a written test. A $25 charge is also required for each certificate.
Maryland
Every food outlet must have a qualified food manager present at all times in order to operate. The certification must be achieved from a program that is accredited. It is essential to pass a mandated certification test, with recognized exams including ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric. The certification is valid for three years, and a copy of the original certification as well as an application fee is required in some counties to get a local ID card.
Massachusetts
A qualified food protection manager who has passed an official food safety certification exam, such as ServSafe, is essential in every food establishment. This certification test is required every five years and must be renewed. ANAB-CFP Accredited Certification tests such as ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric are examples of approved certification tests. A qualified manager guarantees that the institution follows correct food safety measures, creating a safe and sanitary environment for food handling and serving.
Michigan
In order to comply with regulations, food service establishments must ensure that they have at least one managerial employee who holds a certification from an ANAB-CFP-approved food safety certification program. This certification is obtained through a mandatory exam, and the approved certification exams include ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric. The certification is valid for a period of five years, after which the individual must renew their certification to maintain compliance with the requirements.
Minnesota
With the exception of satellite or catered feeding sites, food enterprises in Minnesota are required to have at least one full-time employee who has completed a Food Manager Certification program. It is essential to pass a statutory certification test, such as ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, or Prometric. Proof of course attendance is also necessary, and the certificate must be renewed every three years. To apply for a Food Manager Certificate in Minnesota, complete an application and include a $35 check or money order made payable to the Minnesota Department of Health. The test must also have been taken within the last three years.
Mississippi
To comply with food safety requirements, the appointed person in charge must be present at the food facility throughout all operating hours. This person must have passed a management certification course that has been authorized by the regulatory authorities. The certification test is required, and recognized examinations include ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric. Once certified, the individual’s certificate is valid for five years before it must be renewed.
New Jersey
At least one individual in a managerial capacity in a Risk Type 3 Food Establishment must possess a valid certification as a food protection manager. Passing a food safety certification exam administered by an approved program recognized by the Conference for Food Protection is required to get this certification. Exams offered by ANAB-CFP authorized programs such as ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric are approved. The certification is valid for 5 years before it must be renewed.
New York State
In most circumstances, retail food outlets must present confirmation that an employee has attended authorized food safety training in order to receive a food processing business license. The license application must contain evidence, usually in the form of a certificate, demonstrating that a manager or someone in a position of authority has completed an approved course. The food safety course must be at least 8 hours long and certified by the Department of Agriculture. ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric certification examinations are accessible for people who wish to pursue certification.
New York City
Supervisors of food service facilities and non-retail food service establishments in the state must get a Department of Health food protection certificate. This entails passing a mandated food safety course and exam offered by the Department of Health. The only exam that is approved is the one administered by the Department of Health. Individuals must also undergo a necessary 15-hour food safety training given solely by the Health Department, which is accessible online for $24.60 or in a classroom setting for $114. There is no need to renew your certificate.
Pennsylvania
To be in compliance with the Food Employee Certification Act, at least one supervisory employee from each food facility must get a food safety certification by completing a nationally recognized food safety class authorized by ANAB-CFP. The certification test is required, and various recognized examinations are available, including ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric. There are no special training requirements for food safety, and the certification is valid for five years at the state level. It is crucial to remember that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture does not have authority over all Retail Food Facilities in the state. Local health departments in counties like Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Erie, Montgomery, and Philadelphia function as licensing authorities within their respective jurisdictions.
Texas
The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) requires food enterprises in the United States that handle, prepare, or serve potentially hazardous foods to hire a licensed food manager. This certification is achieved by completing a recognized test, such as ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, or Prometric. The certification test is required, and the certificate must be renewed at the state level every 5 years. Furthermore, certain local authorities may impose additional requirements, such as registering the Food Manager Certificate with the Health Department or paying an additional cost for the issuing of a local Food Manager Certificate.
Utah
To comply with food safety standards, at least one person in each food establishment must get a Food Manager Certification from an ANAB-CFP-recognized and certified program such as ServSafe, Prometric, NRFSP, or 360 Training. This certification test is required, and acceptable examinations include ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, and Prometric. The certification is valid for three years, and the individual must produce paperwork to the local health officer within sixty days of getting the certificate after completing the authorized examination. Registration with the local health agency may incur an extra charge.
Washington DC
A Food Protection Manager Certificate and a Department of Health-issued Certified Food Protection Manager Identification Card are necessary to operate as a food seller. A recognized food protection managers certification program, such as ServSafe, NRFSP, Always Food Safe, AboveTraining, 360 Training, or Prometric, must certify the individual in charge. The certification examination is required, and the certificate must be renewed every three years. After passing the exam for the authorized program, the original certificate should be delivered to the Food Protection Division to get the Department of Health-issued Certified Food Manager’s Identification Card.
FAQs
Final Words
In conclusion, understanding and complying with ServSafe requirements by state is crucial for ensuring food safety and maintaining a high standard of operations in the food service industry. This comprehensive guide has provided an overview of the ServSafe program, emphasizing the importance of obtaining the necessary certifications and adhering to state-specific regulations. By staying informed about the unique requirements and guidelines set forth by each state, food service professionals can demonstrate their commitment to public health and safety. By consistently following ServSafe standards and staying up to date with any changes or updates in regulations, establishments can protect their customers, their employees, and their reputation. Remember, being well-versed in ServSafe requirements by state is a fundamental step towards maintaining a successful and compliant food service operation.
