2012 foodservice training brochure (PDF)
2012 foodservice training schedule & registration form (PDF)
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.
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ServSafe is the industry standard in food-safety 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.
Recertification
The ServSafe certification is valid for five years. At that point, you will have two options for recertification. You can select the option which best suits your needs.
1. National Recertification/ServSafe: You can maintain your national ServSafe certification by attending an 8-hour refresher course, than taking an exam. Individuals who select this option may elect to just take the exam without attending the entire 8-hour class instruction; the cost is the same.
2. State Recertification/4 Hour Class: This program does not maintain the 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 based on the ServSafe course, but there is no pass or fail on the written test at the end of the course, and no book to study beforehand. This course also offers 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).
Workbook
All participants who attend the ServSafe Certification and 8 hour ServSafe Recertification program will receive a course workbook. It will be mailed to you as soon as the South Dakota Retailers Association receives your registration form and fee. The workbook should be studied prior to the seminar.
Pre-registration is required
Pre-registration - including payment - is required prior to the seminar, whether you are becoming certified for the first time, or are being recertified. Due to high demand for classes, SDRA is not able to reserve a spot in a class until payment is received. Be sure to register early, as seating is limited. A fee is charged for rescheduling a class and for retesting.
Course Agenda
8 hour ServSafe Certification classes:
- 7:45 a.m. - check in
- 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.- instruction
- Noon - lunch on your own
- 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. - certification exam
4 hour state-approved recertification classes:
- 12:45 p.m. - check in
- 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. - instruction and recertification
What to bring to the class
- Arrive 15 minutes prior to the class or test to sign in.
- Bring your course book with you if you are attending the ServSafe class. 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 be required at exam time.
- Bring a Number 2 pencil and eraser for the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
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: If I am opening a new restaurant. How long do I have to get a person on my staff certified?
A: You must have a certified person on staff prior to opening.
Q: If a business has just one ServSafe certified person on staff, and 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: 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: 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; 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: 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.
For more information, call SDRA at 1-800-658-5545, or contact us via email.