Who has to be certified?
Managers only. Not employees do not need to be certified. All food service managers who are responsible for the storage, preparation, display and serving of foods to the public must successfully pass a Food Manager Certification examination
Do managers require training?
No. Training is not required. A manager may take the exam with no training. This is called "Challenging" the exam. However, if a manager fails, they must then take the training and repay to retake the test. This can be expensive.
Do all manager require certification?
Under Florida Statute 509 “All” managers are to obtain certification through examination within 90 days of employment.
Who qualifies as a manager?
Managers are anyone who supervises employees when receiving, preparing, storing or serving food.
What is the purpose of the training course?
The NEHA course successfully prepares food safety managers to pass any ANSI-CFP* nationally accredited certification examination.
Must the certified manager be present?
Under Florida Administrative Code 61C-3, at least one manager with the certification must be present at all times in operations with (4) or more employees.
How does someone become certified?
Certification is through a proctored approved examination.
What examinations are approved in Florida?
Examination must be through an ANSI accredited program of instruction. There are three ANSI certification exam providers:
- ServSafe - National Restaurant Association
- Experior
- National Registry of Food Safety Professionals
How and where do I test out?
After the course you will be provided with contact information to register to take an ANSI-CFP approved exam
How long is the certification in effect?
Certification must be renewed every 5 years through examination.
Additional Questions?
If you have additional questions, you may email us by clicking on the Questions button to the left and filling out the contact form. Be sure to select "Online Food Training" on the dropdown menu so your question comes to the home office.
You may call us tollfree at 1-877-541-3555 with questions.
