- 8-hour training
- Instructor led class or online coursework
- Online coursework + proctored exam (proof of completion of the online class, exam must be taken in presence of ServSafe approved person)
- Two hours to complete exam
- 90 multiple-choice questions, scored on 80 questions (10 are pilot questions)
- Students need a 70% to pass
- Certification is good for 5-years
- Valid government issued picture ID to attend class/exam (photocopies are NOT accepted)
- Instructor-led classes held monthly in Sioux Falls and Rapid City and two times annually in Aberdeen, Pierre, and Watertown
What happens if I don't pass?
- If the student fails, they may retest right away (next available class date or Pierre Office)- two attempts within 30 days ($85 retest fee)
- If the student fails a second time, they must wait 60 days from last attempt to retest ($85 retest fee)
- No more than four attempts in a 12 month period
- 4-hour training
- Instructor led class or online coursework
- No exam in the instructor led class, online coursework requires 75% score on assessment
- Certification is good for 5-years (certificate states three years, South Dakota Department of Health recognizes for additional two years for a total of five years)
- Valid government issued picture ID to attend class (photocopies are NOT accepted)
- Online option purchased from ServSafe directly
- Instructor-led classes held four times per year in Sioux Falls, three times per year in Rapid City and two times each in Aberdeen, Pierre, and Watertown.
Please Note:
- Medical facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living, etc.) may be required to have the National Certification (you must check with company before registering)
- South Dakota Department of Health does not allow the 4-hour recertification option unless currently Nationally Certified
- Schools and other educational facilities may be required to have the National Certification (you must check with company before registering)
- Some franchises (restaurant, hotel, gas stations, etc.) require the National Certification (you must check with company before registering)
Preparing for Class and Exam
- ServSafe and SDRA strongly recommend attendees read the book and complete chapter quizzes
- As the attendee reads though the book, they need to think through how specific businesses are operated
- What do they look for in the store when shopping (meat, produce, etc.), how do they store the groceries (fresh, frozen, and dry), how do they prep and then cook food (temperature, leave out before refrigerating, etc.), how long keep something before disposing?
- The exam is NOT easy and the class presents a lot of information in a short time – the exam is logic based, meaning the questions are designed to make the examinee (employee) relate information presented in the book/class to real life situations
Updated 04/2023
