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Florida Food Safety State Requirements

    Manager Certification

    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. Each licensed establishment shall have at least one certified food manager.

    Certification Renewal -- Every 5 years

    Who has to be certified?
    Certification applies to Managers Only.

    Do managers require training?
    Manager training is NOT required.

    Do all mangers 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.

    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?
    Examination must be through an ANSI accredited program of instruction. There are three ANSI certification exam providers: ServSafe; National Registry of Food Safety Professionals; Thompson Publishing

    How long is the certification in effect?
    Certification must be renewed every 5 years through examination.

     

     

    Employee Training (DBPR Food Worker)

    Do all employees require training?
    All employees must receive Training: All employees must be trained in an approved program if they handle food or equipment in contact with food, prepare, or serve food. They must be trained within 60 days of employment.

    Do employees need to be certified?
    No Certification is required of employees: Certification applies only to managers. Employees must be trained in an approved program.

    Do employees take a test?
    Testing of employees is prohibited by law

    What are approved employee-training programs?
    The state maintains a list of approved employee training programs. To be approved, the training must have been in use and submitted for review prior to Nov 1 2000.

    What will inspectors look for?
    Inspectors will review a roster of attendees to training programs and/or certificates of completion. If there are employees on staff for more than 60 days and they are not on the roster, or such employee cannot produce proof of training the facility is out of compliance. Inspectors will review the training course and check against the approved vendor list. They will check the letter sent by the approved vendor confirming the approved course.

    How long is the approved training in effect?
    The approved training must be repeated every 3 years.

    Who has to report training to the state?
    Only third parties report training. The in house-certified manger does not need to report the attendees to the course he conducts. The third party instructor must provide the list of attendees they train to the state. The onsite course automatically updates the states training database

    Who is approved to conduct training?
    Certified professional Food Managers.