Certifications for food safety
Whether you’re opening a restaurant or filling open positions at an existing one, your employees may need to hold certifications for food safety to protect customers and comply with health codes.
Numerous groups, including ServSafe and the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), award these credentials to food and beverage professionals who complete training programs.
Some restaurants include courses for food safety certifications in their employee training programs. However, you may prefer candidates to already have valid credentials.
Below are some common certifications for food safety.
1. Food handler certification
A food handler certification shows a candidate has mastered the basics of food safety. Most programs cover general food handling topics, such as personal hygiene, sanitation, proper food storage and cross-contamination prevention.
Any employee responsible for food prep, serving and cleaning duties may benefit from food handler certification. You may wish to include the credential in your job descriptions for:
2. Alcohol certification
Alcohol food safety certifications cover the best practices for serving alcohol responsibly. Training programs include checking identifications, identifying intoxicated customers and preventing overserving. Depending on your location, you may require alcohol certifications for:
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Front-of-house managers
3. Food manager certification
Organizations award the food manager certification to restaurant professionals who complete advanced training courses on food safety. These programs usually teach best practices for identifying, evaluating and controlling food safety risks.
Individuals who hold food manager certification may be quality candidates for the following positions:
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Banquet manager
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Catering manager
4. Allergens certification
An allergens certification typically covers common food allergens and how to protect customers from allergic reactions. This certification can benefit workers responsible for preparing food or drinks, such as cooks, chefs, servers, bartenders or other positions who may recommend dishes to customers.
Other certifications and certificates for restaurants and hotels
In addition to food safety certifications, restaurant professionals may seek supplementary professional certifications and certificates to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and experience.
The following are some of the most common voluntary certifications and certificates for restaurant workers.
5. ServSuccess certification
The National Restaurant Association (NRA) offers ServSuccess certifications to individuals who pass written examinations and meet prerequisites. The three levels of ServSuccess credentials include:
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Certified Restaurant Professional (CRP): For bakers, bartenders, cashiers, cooks, dishwashers, hosts, servers, trainers and other front-line restaurant workers
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Certified Restaurant Supervisor (CRS): For front- and back-of-house supervisors and managers in restaurants, catering companies and hotel banquet facilities
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Certified Restaurant Manager (CRM): For restaurant general managers and executive chefs
6. Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE)
If your restaurant hosts and caters special events, you may wish to employ an events manager, banquet manager or general manager who holds a Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE) designation from the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE).
To qualify for the credential, restaurant and catering professionals must have at least three years of related work experience, complete professional development training and pass an examination. The exam covers accounting, beverage management, catering operations, contracts, event design, human resources and sales.
7. AHLEI certifications
The American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) offers several certificates for restaurant employees and hotel food and beverage workers.
Some AHLEI certifications you may list as required or preferred qualifications in your job descriptions include:
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Certified Breakfast Attendant (CBA): For hotel breakfast attendants
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Certified Kitchen Cook (CKC): For line cooks, prep cooks, grill cooks and other cooks
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Certified Restaurant Server (CRS): For servers in full-service restaurants
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Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE): For food and beverage managers, executive chefs, restaurant managers and food service directors
8. Certified Sommeliers
Whether you’re hoping to launch a new wine program or wish to increase your wine sales, having a sommelier on your team can help you achieve your goals. As you screen candidates for your open position, consider individuals who are Certified Sommeliers from the Court of Master Sommeliers.
To gain this credential, sommeliers must pass rigorous tasting, theory and customer service examinations to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
9. USBG certifications
The United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) certifies bartenders and other beverage professionals who pass in-depth knowledge examinations. If you hope to promote your selection of fine spirits to customers, you may want to hire a bartender or bar manager who has passed the Spirits Professional Exam, indicating that they’re knowledgeable about pairings, regional differences and other features of spirits.
Bartenders who pass the Advanced Bartender Exam may make excellent additions to the team, as they have proven expertise in bar management, cocktail presentation and more.
Food and beverage certificate programs for manufacturers
Food and beverage certificates for manufacturing facilities typically relate to industry standards and best practices. To complete the courses, professionals may complete online seminars or attend in-person lectures in a classroom setting.
Here are three food and beverage certificates you might consider when screening candidates.
10. International Organization for Standardization 22000 certificate
International Organization for Standardization 22000 (ISO 22000) is a global standard focused on managing food safety risks across supply chains. Some ISO 22000 certificates relate to the implementation of the standard and can be desirable qualifications for operations managers and other positions responsible for quality control procedures.
Certificates in ISO 22000 auditing are also available, which are beneficial for lead quality control inspectors and auditors.
11. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points certificate
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is a safety management system recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for businesses involved in the production, handling and distribution of food.
HACCP certificates can be relevant credentials for various positions in the food and beverage industry, including:
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Food production managers and supervisors
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Food production workers
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Food safety managers
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Packaging specialists
12. GMP certificate
The Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) are food safety practices that the FDA typically requires food and beverage manufacturing facilities to implement.
CGMP certificates involve instruction on sanitation, food plant maintenance, quality controls and other topics in the CGMP guidelines. Like HACCP food and beverage certificates, CGMP training certificates can be beneficial for managers and supervisors responsible for overseeing production and quality control at your facility.
Frequently asked questions about food and beverage certificates
How can I learn what certifications for food safety my employees need?
Typically, state and local government agencies set standards for food safety certifications. If you’re unsure which credentials your employees need, contact your city or county’s health department for more information. If your business has multiple locations, contact the health department for each, as requirements may vary.
How can I confirm a candidate holds a food and beverage certificate or certification?
You can ask candidates for a copy of their food and beverage certificate during the hiring process. Another option is to contact the certifying body or training academy that awarded the credential as a part of a background check for employment.
