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Food service health certification requires passing an exam after taking a course, which varies by state. Illinois requires a 15-hour course, while Washington and Oregon offer online options. Topics include foodborne illness, contamination control, and cleanliness. Fees apply.
In most cases, you will need to take a class and pass an exam before you can earn food service health certification. Requirements for obtaining foodservice sanitation certification may vary from state to state in the United States. In some states, the course is face-to-face, while in others, you can take the course online. Typically, you cannot simply pass the test to get certified and must take some coursework.
The state of Illinois, for example, requires you to earn certification in foodservice sanitation by taking a 15-hour course that is approved by the state before you can take the exam. In some cases, the state will waive the required course if you have passed a similar course elsewhere and can provide documentation, including your grade and course syllabus. If you are certified by the Chicago Department of Health, you can obtain statewide food service sanitation certification by reciprocity.
Other states, such as Washington and Oregon, allow you to take an online course to earn foodservice sanitation certification. In Washington state, it usually takes about an hour to take the online course and exam. The Oregon State online course consists of a 25-minute video series, followed by a study section and then the test.
Washington State also offers students the option to take the course in person in the cities of Seattle or Renton. New York State also allows you to choose between attending an online or in-person course. In New York, the face-to-face course lasts longer and requires you to spend three hours a day over a five-day period in the classroom.
Typically, a fee is involved for the course and exam. In Illinois, it costs $35 USD (USD) to take the exam. The cost is $10 in Washington and Oregon for the course and test as of 2011. The face-to-face course in New York costs over $100 as of 2011, while the online course is free. You will have to pay to take the exam in New York, however.
Topics commonly covered in a foodservice sanitation course and exam include the causes of foodborne illness, how to control contamination, and the importance of cleanliness. Food handlers are taught the value of hand washing and cooking food to the proper temperature. Generally, to become certified, you will need to demonstrate that you understand most of the topics covered in the course or exam. A passing score is usually greater than 70 or 75%.
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