Finding the Food Safety Training Program that is Right for You
Back in October of 2021, I highlighted the different food safety training programs available for you to use to train employees. I thought it might be pertinent to refresh this list again during National Food Safety Education month.
One of the first questions I always get about the training requirement in the food code is, “do I have to pass a certified exam”? The answer is no, you don’t. To be more specific, knowledge and certification requirements are spelled out in the 2022 FDA Model Food Code. Section 2-102.11 mandates the knowledge requirement for the person in charge, which can be satisfied by one of three different methods: having no priority violations during the current inspection; being a certified food protection manager, having passed a test as part of an accredited program; or responding to the inspector’s questions about a variety of identified food safety topics.
… if my business were ever the source of a foodborne illness outbreak, I would certainly want to know that I had done everything in my power to protect my guests and having trained my employees who work on the front lines with the food I serve in my business would be the very least that I could do.
However, I don’t know about you, but if my business were ever the source of a foodborne illness outbreak, I would certainly want to know that I had done everything in my power to protect my guests and having trained my employees who work on the front lines with the food I serve in my business would be the very least that I could do.
Thus, below is a list of all organizations who are currently certified to offer the food safety certification exam and some basic information about the program.
Accredited Food Manager Examinations[1]
| Name of Organization | Website | Format | Cost | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA Food Safety | https://aaafoodhandler.com/food-manager-certification | Training: Online
Exam: Remote proctoring |
Training & Exam: $99.95
Exam only: $69.95 Training Only: $49.95 |
The $99.95 rate only provides one attempt to pass the exam. There is a “Diamond Package” available for $119.95 that provides one free retreat. |
| WFSO Academy | https://academy.worldfoodsafety.org/#/fpm | Training: Online
Exam: Remote or in-person at test site |
Exam, remote proctoring: $95.00
Exam, in-person at test site: $125.00 Training: $12 – $95.00 |
Study courses are priced individually but can also be purchased in a comprehensive bundle.
Access to the course is available for one year. |
| Certus / StateFoodSafety.com | https://www.statefoodsafety.com/ | Training: online
Exam: In-person or online, remote proctoring available |
Training & Exam: $78.00[2] + proctor fee (varies, usually around $50)
Training only: $65.00 Exam only: $28.00 plus proctor fee (varies, usually around $50) |
If you fail the exam, you must repurchase a new exam, however the course remains free. Examinee must repurchase the exam and register for an exam session for each attempted retake. |
| 360training.com, Inc. | https://www.360training.com/learn2serve | Training: Online
Exam: Remote proctoring, cost included with both the training and exam package and the exam only option. |
Training & Exam: $121.00
Exam only: $69.99 |
Students allowed two attempts to pass the exam with no additional cost.
Not approved for New York City |
| My Food Service License | https://myfoodservicelicense.com/ | Training: Online
Exam: Remote proctoring. |
Training & Exam: $199.00
Exam only: $100.00 Training only: $161.00 |
Normal prices are reported. At the time of the audit, the training and exam were “on sale” for $169.00 and the training only was $115.00. |
| National Registry of Food Safety Professionals | https://www.nrfsp.com/ | Training: It appears this is designed for in-person training, but self-study options are allowed. There is an affiliate network that provides online training for an additional cost.
Exam: Online or in-person |
Training & Exam: $70.95
Self-Study Training Materials: $23.00-$103.95 Exam only: $80.00 |
Of accredited programs, this was the most complicated of the websites to navigate in order to determine what you needed to purchase to obtain the certification. |
| National Restaurant Association | https://www.servsafe.com/ | Training: In-person or online
Exam: In-person or online, remote proctoring available. |
Training & Exam: In-person costs will vary; online $179.00
Exam only with online proctoring: $99.00 Online Exam Voucher only: $36.00 |
If you fail the exam, you must repurchase a new exam, however the course remains free. |
| Trust20 | https://trust20.co/ | Training: Online, remote proctored.
Exam: Online |
Training: $90.00
Exam only: $90.00 |
If you fail the exam, you must repurchase a new exam. The training is available, but only results in a “certificate”, not certification. There does not appear to be a combined training/exam package with a reduced rate. |
| Responsible Training | https://www.responsibletraining.com/ | Training: Online, remote proctored by Examity.
Exam: Online |
Training & Exam: $119.99
Exam only: $64.99 |
Students allowed two attempts to pass the exam with no additional cost. |
| The Always Food Safe Company, LLC | https://alwaysfoodsafe.com/en/ | Training: Online
Exam: Remote proctoring, cost included with both the training and exam package and the exam only option. |
Training & Exam: $78.00 + Remote Proctor Fee of $48.00
Exam only: $28.00 + Remote Proctor Fee of $48.00 |
Students allowed two attempts to pass the exam with no additional cost. |
As I noted last time I posted this list, I am sure there are several of you out there who would like me to tell you which program is the best for you, but it all depends on how you learn, how you’d like to take the exam, and your budget. Look into each and use your best judgement. I am not endorsing any of the programs, only noting that they are approved for your use. Whichever you decide, be sure to check with your local health department to make sure they also recognize the exam before you pay for it.
Have you had good or bad experiences with either of these training and exams that you’d like to share? If so, drop me a note. I’d love to hear about your experiences and may be able to use this in a future blog. Risk Nothing.
[1] Information is current as of 9/26/2023
[2] Fee is specific to the state and, in some cases, the county. It appears that most are $78.00.
During National Food Safety Education Month is it time for Your Food Safety Refresher?
You see them in every restaurant and commercial foodservice operation across the United States. Framed and proudly displayed, often by the kitchen, the cashier, the kitchen entrance, or the service counter - just as they should be. To what am I referring? The food safety certification certificates, of course!
Welcome to National Food Safety Education Month!
In September of each year, we not only have the opportunity to celebrate Labor Day, but we also welcome National Food Safety Education Month! It is this time of the year when it is important to remember that Foodborne illnesses are still a major concern in the United States, although I am guessing many Americans don’t think about the safety of the food they eat as they go throughout their daily lives. The statistics show one in every six Americans will suffer from a foodborne illness each year, for a total of about 48 million cases each year.
Protecting Fresh Produce Post-Harvest, Integral to Safe Food
During the height of the summer, at least in the Midwest, farmers markets are in full swing and fresh produce is plentiful. Every backyard gardener is reaping the benefits of their work, with bountiful harvests of tomatoes and cucumbers. Everyone seems to have a neighbor who is trying to pawn off his or her over-production of cucumbers or summer squash during this time of year. When picking up that produce at the farmer’s market or from your neighbor down the street, have you ever given any thought to the microbial safety of it? Honestly, even in my position, it certainly is NOT the first thing that comes to my mind. But, earlier this month, I came across a news story out of Wisconsin discussing a Salmonella outbreak associated with shelled peas sold at a local farmers market. Who would have thought shelled peas would be impacted? The story noted, and it served as a great reminder, that most outbreaks associated with Salmonella in produce are due to mistakes made in handling or transportation of produce after harvesting.
Properly Cleaning and Sanitizing: The Right Chemical Mix to Maintain Ultimate Effectiveness
A few weeks ago, my family and I had the pleasure of setting sail on a cruise vacation. It is truly one of the only ways that I find that I am able to unplug from work and relax for a small spell. However, as I walked around the ship in our post-COVID world, I couldn’t help but admire all the extra cleaning steps the staff were undertaking to keep us all as safe as possible while in the middle of the ocean with 3,000 other vacationers. All of this cleaning and sanitizing had me thinking about how we each clean and sanitize our own operations and which chemicals we chose to use.
