Food service training & certification

Food service training & certification Required by the State of South Dakota Training Schedule 2012 South Dakota Retailers Association

Serving safe food is not an option... The state of South Dakota requires every food service establishment and mobile food service establishment to have at least one person on staff who has passed an eight-hour food service training and certification program. The requirement is part of the state food service code adopted in 1997. ServSafe helps prepare you to: improve food quality lower insurance costs reduce liability risks prevent foodborne illness In this brochure: 1...ServSafe overview 3...Certification 3...Recertification 4...Online training option 5...Schedule of certification classes 6...4-hour recertification schedule 7...Registration information 8...Fees 8...What to bring 9...Frequently Asked Questions Insert...Registration form 1

ServSafe program ServSafe is the industry standard in foodsafety training, and is accepted by more federal, state and local jurisdictions than any other food safety program. Information presented in this program is based on the FDA Model Food Code, the latest updates in the science of food safety, and best practices used in the industry. Getting recertified To retain certification, individuals who are Certified Managers must be recertified every 5 years. The state of South Dakota allows certified managers the option of being recertified through the national ServSafe program -or- taking a short class without a pass/fail exam, and receiving a state Certificate of Completion (see page 3). If you have been ServSafe certified, check the expiration date on your certificate to determine whether you need to be recertified. If you have questions regarding the expiration of certification, call the South Dakota Department of Health in Pierre at 1-800-738-2301. 2

ServSafe Certification After successfully completing the ServSafe course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and ID card from the National Restaurant Association. ServSafe Certification is valid for five years. You will also become an automatic member of the International Food Safety Council, a valuable food-safety training resource. Recertification Two options for recertification Two choices are offered for recertification. Certified Managers can select the option which best suits their needs. These options have been approved by the State of South Dakota - Office of Health Protection. A National Recertification/ServSafe Refresher Course + Test -or- Test Only Maintain your national ServSafe certification by attending an 8-hour refresher course, then taking an exam. Estimated time involved: 9 hours plus lunch break. (Note: Individuals choosing this option may just take the exam without attending the entire 8-hour class instruction. The cost is the same. Estimated time for test only: 1 hour). The ServSafe workbook gives you a complete review of the state food safety requirements and should be studied in advance. B State Recertification/4-Hour Class: This program does not maintain national ServSafe Certification, but it does meet the requirements of the South Dakota Department of Health- Office of Health Protection. The 4-hour class is a review of the ServSafe course, but there is no pass or fail on the written test at the end of the course, and 3

no book to study beforehand. This course includes all the updates on the current FDA Model Food Code. Participants will have fun with learning activities and exercises, and will receive a Certificate of Completion. This course is also an economical way to train ALL employees on basic food handling techniques. NOTE: The 4-hour course does not meet the recertification requirements for health care facilities. Online Training SDRA offers the 8 hour ServSafe training online. The National Restaurant Association requires all testing to be proctored by a certified proctor or instructor; at the time of registration you will also sign up to test at a regularly scheduled class. Registrants have 90 days to complete the 8 hour course online and take the ServSafe test. You will print your completion certificate at the end of the online session and bring it with you to the proctored exam. The 8 hour online program and proctored test may be used for your original certification, or for being nationally recertified. ServSafe Workbook All participants who attend the ServSafe Certification and 8-hour Recertification program will receive a course workbook*. It will be mailed as soon as SDRA receives your registration form and fee. The book covers the essential tasks a manager must know to keep food safe in the operation, including the latest Food Code updates and information on how to implement the food safety practices learned in the program. * Workbook: The 5th edition of ServSafe Essentials will be utilized until the 6th edition becomes available. 4

2012 Certification Classes & National Recertification Classes (8 hour national ServSafe program plus exam) ABERDEEN Ramada Inn 2727 6th Ave. SE Wed., May 9, 2012 Wed., Nov. 14, 2012 PIERRE Governors Inn 700 W. Sioux Wed., Mar. 7, 2012 Wed., Aug. 15, 2012 RAPID CITY Ramada 1902 N. LaCrosse Tues., Jan. 24, 2012 Tues., Feb. 21, 2012 Tues., Mar. 27, 2012 Tues., Apr. 17, 2012 Tues., May 22, 2012 Tues., June 19, 2012 Tues., July 24, 2012 Tues., Sept. 18, 2012 Noon Tues., Oct. 30, 2012 Tues., Dec. 4, 2012 SIOUX FALLS South Dakota Achieve 4100 S. Western Ave. Wed., Jan. 11, 2012 Wed., Feb. 15, 2012 Wed., Mar. 21, 2012 Wed., April 25, 2012 Wed., May 16, 2012 Wed., June 20, 2012 Wed., July 18, 2012 Wed., Aug. 22, 2012 Wed., Sept. 26, 2012 Wed., Oct. 24, 2012 Wed., Nov. 28, 2012 Wed., Dec. 19, 2012 WATERTOWN Country Inn & Suites I-29 & Hwy 212 Jct. Wed., April 4, 2012 Wed., Sept. 19, 2012 5 8 hours + exam Certification Course Agenda 7:45 am Check in 8:00 am-4:30 pm Instruction Lunch (on your own) 4:30-6:30 pm Certification exam ServSafe Class Fees ServSafe Certification -and- ServSafe Recertification CLASS + TEST: $90 for members of the SD Retailers Association (SDRA); $140 for nonmembers RETEST: $50 fee for retesting after a failed test if the original test was through an SDRA class; $75 if the original test was through another program RESCHEDULE: A $20 fee will be charged to reschedule a class ONLINE TRAINING + PROCTORED TEST: $120 SDRA members; $160 for nonmembers. (See page 4)

2012 State Approved Recertification classes (4 hour program) ABERDEEN Ramada Inn 2727 6th Ave. SE Tues., May 8, 2012 Tues., Nov. 13, 2012 PIERRE Governors Inn 700 W. Sioux Ave. Tues., Mar. 6, 2012 Tues., Aug. 14, 2012 RAPID CITY Ramada (formerly Quality Inn) 1902 N. LaCrosse Tues., Feb. 7, 2012 Tues., June 5, 2012 Tues., Oct. 16, 2012 SIOUX FALLS South Dakota Achieve 4100 S. Western Ave. Wed., Feb. 8, 2012 Wed., Apr. 18, 2012 Wed., June 27, 2012 Wed., Oct. 17, 2012 WATERTOWN Country Inn & Suites I-29 & Hwy 212 Jct. Tues., April 3, 2012 Tues., Sept. 18, 2012 4 hours Recertification Course Agenda 12:45 pm Check in 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Instruction and recertification Recertification Fees $50 for members of the South Dakota Retailers Association $75 for nonmembers This 4-hour course meets the requirements of the South Dakota Department of Health/Office of Food Protection, but participants do not maintain their national ServSafe certification. Participants cannot take the 4-hour recertification class if their certification has expired. The 4-hour course does not meet the recertification requirements for health care facilities, and may not meet the contractual requirements of some franchises. 6

Registration information Pre-registration and pre-payment are required Pre-registration (including payment) is required prior to the class, whether you are becoming certified for the first time, or are being recertified. Due to high demand for classes, SDRA will not reserve a spot in a class until payment is received. We strongly advise you to register early to allow adequate time for course materials to be mailed to you. Class size is limited Register early - seating is limited. Rescheduling A $20 fee will be charged to reschedule a class. Retesting A $50 fee will be charged for retesting after a failed test if the original class and test were taken through the South Dakota Retailers Association. A $75 fee will be charged for retesting after a failed test if the original class/ original test was not taken through the South Dakota Retailers Association. Cancellation of classes by SDRA If fewer than 20 people are registered to attend a week prior to a program, that program may be cancelled and participants will be asked to reschedule at another location. Workbook A workbook will be mailed directly to the registrant who is participating in the ServSafe courses shortly after SDRA receives the registration and payment. The workbook should be studied prior to the class, so please register early enough to allow sufficient time for the workbook to be mailed to you. 7

Fee information NEW Certification / 8 hour ServSafe class South Dakota Retailers Association Members: $90 per person (includes 8 hour class + test) Non-members of the Association: $140 per person (includes 8 hour class + test) Online Training: $120 for SDRA members; $160 for nonmembers (this covers the cost of the online training + proctored test at a regularly scheduled class) Recertification - Two Options 1 National Recertification / ServSafe South Dakota Retailers Association Members $90 per person Non-members of the Association $140 per person 2 State Approved Recertification South Dakota Retailers Association Members $50 per person Non-members of the Association $75 per person What to bring to the ServSafe courses: Arrive 15 minutes prior to class or test to sign in. Bring your course book with you. Be sure there is an answer sheet on the inside front cover of the book. (Note: there is no workbook for the state-approved recertification class) A picture ID (such as a driver's license, State ID, student ID or passport) will also be required at exam time Bring a number 2 pencil & eraser for the exam. 8

F A Q Q: Why do I have to become certified? A: The Food Service Code adopted by the State of South Dakota is designed to make sure that businesses which serve food to the public use safe and sanitary food handling, serving, and storage procedures. As part of that code, the state requires businesses to have at least one person on staff who has participated in an 8-hour training program, and has passed a certification exam. Q: Will I receive documentation to show I have passed the ServSafe program? A: Yes. If you receive a score of at least 75%, you will be notified of passage and receive your certificate and ID card by mail. Q: How and when will I get my scores? A: BY MAIL: Once you take your exam, the South Dakota Retailers Association (SDRA) forwards the tests to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation for grading. As soon as SDRA receives the results back from the national organization, we mail them to you. It's usually about 2 weeks from the time you take the test until you receive your test results in the mail. ONLINE: You may also check online for results. Within 15 days after you take the test, your examination scores will be available to you online through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation website at www.nraef.org/classes. You must have the Class Number to check your score online. (The instructor will give you the Class Number the day of the class). An overall examination score as well as an analysis of specific content domains is available. Q: Once I pass the certification test, do I have to become recertified in the future? A: Yes. The South Dakota Food Service Code requires recertification every five years. The certification is valid for five years from the date of the exam. Q: Why are there two ways to be recertified? A: One recertification is recognized on a national basis; 9

the other is strictly a South Dakota program. Some people who have received their national ServSafe certification want to keep that national certification when their original certificate is expiring. They can participate in the ServSafe training and exam. Health care facilities are required to maintain their national certification, and must take the 8-hour class for recertification. Other people don't care if they maintain national certification - they just want to meet the state of South Dakota's requirements. For those people, the state has approved a 4-hour recertification program which does not involve a pass/fail exam. It is instruction only, and attendees receive a certificate of completion at the conclusion. Q: My business has just one ServSafe certified person on staff. If that person leaves, how long does the business have to get another person certified? A: The state health code says when a certified food service manager leaves an establishment, the establishment has a 90-day grace period to obtain another certified food service manager. Q: I'm opening a new restaurant. How soon must I have a person on my staff certified? A: You must have a certified person on staff prior to opening. Q: If I purchase an existing restaurant, how long do I have to get a person certified? A: Upon a change of ownership, a food service establishment has 90 days to have a person certified. Q: If I have been ServSafe certified in another state, is that certification valid in South Dakota? A: If your certificate has not expired, your ServSafe certification from another state is valid in South Dakota. Q: The fees are lower for Retailers Association members. How do I become a member? A: For information on membership in the South Dakota Retailers Association, call our office at 1-800-658-5545. 10

For more information on these programs call the South Dakota Retailers Association at 1-800-658-5545 (224-5050 in Pierre) ServSafe is a registered trademark of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation