SERVSAFE® is the nationally recognized food safety training developed and supported by the National Restaurant Association.
The State of South Dakota and Department of Health, as part of the Food Service Code, requires food service establishments (including gas stations, hotel breakfast bars, food trucks and catering companies) to have at least one person on staff who has completed an eight-hour food service training and successfully passed a certification exam. |
SERVSAFE® Training
Updated 06/26/2025
SERVSAFE® recertification is required every five years. The program is designed to teach time and temperature requirements, hygiene, sanitation, contamination and more. The ServSafe® training program will instruct employees in food-borne illnesses and their prevention. It will also equip them to properly train others in food safety. |
TRAINING OPTIONS
To become nationally certified you must take the ServSafe® Manager course. Courses are available online or in a classroom setting.
The National ServSafe® Manager Certification / Recertification and State Specific Recertification are valid for 5 years.
The National ServSafe® Manager Certification / Recertification and State Specific Recertification are valid for 5 years.
In-Person, Instructor-Led Class
To maintain your ServSafe® certification, you can re-certify your Manager Certification by attending the 8-hour class with exam, take the exam alone, or attend a 4-hour South Dakota Specific Food Handler Class with exam for recertification. Manager Certification/Recertification | 8 Hr Class - With registration you receive the coursebook, instructed class and certifying exam. - Classes are in ENGLISH ONLY. - Books and exams are available in Spanish, Chinese, and Korean (book is required for class). Food Handler State Specific Recertification | 4 Hr Class -You can recertify your certification by completing the ServSafe® Food Handler class and assessment. - Classes are in ENGLISH ONLY. -Books and exams are available in Spanish and English Need A Translator? If you need a translator, email [email protected] for the required paperwork. It is the responsibility of the attendee to submit the request to ServSafe® and contact a translator. Translators are only allowed for the ServSafe® Manager Exam. Requests for a translator must be received 45 days prior to the class date you wish to attend. |
Online Coursework
The online coursework is completed on your own, at your own pace. The online courses are available in Spanish and English. Manger Certification/Recertification Option 1 | Online Course & In-Person Proctored Exam -Register for the online course and an in-person proctored exam under the Register Today section. -Once registered for the online course you will receive an email with the code to access the coursework. You do not receive study materials when completing the coursework online. -You will contact our office to schedule your proctored exam. Option 2 | Online Course & Online Proctored Exam -To take the course and exam online you must purchase it directly from ServSafe®. Online Course/Exam from ServSafe® -The online exam by ProctorU® requires use of a device with camera and microphone. You should verify on the ServSafe® website your computer has the required capabilities before purchasing. Option 3 | Online Food Handler State Specific Recertification -You can recertify your certification by completing the ServSafe® Food Handler class and assessment. Purchase HERE on the ServSafe® website. |
REGISTER TODAY!
Pre-registration and payment are required at least ten (10) days prior to class date. If payment has not been received, the registration will not be completed and materials will not be mailed.
A second email receipt should be received when paying by credit/debit card. If you do not receive it, the registration is not complete. It is your responsibility to contact SDRA to provide payment.
A second email receipt should be received when paying by credit/debit card. If you do not receive it, the registration is not complete. It is your responsibility to contact SDRA to provide payment.
Questions? Contact the South Dakota Retailers Association:
(800) 658-5545 | [email protected].
(800) 658-5545 | [email protected].
MANAGER NATIONAL CERTIFICATION/RECERTIFICATION (8 HR CLASS)
ServSafe® Manager Live Class and Exam Info
SDRA Member Fee | $140
Nonmember Fee | $190
Test Only / *Retest | $90
*Retest Option is available if original registration was received within last eight months. If more than eight months, will need to purchase full registration.
Class Schedule | 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Exam usually starts around 4:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. with up to two hours allowed.
Arrive 15 minutes early for registration.
Bring your ServSafe® textbook with the Examination Answer Sheet (included within plastic wrapped book), and a current Government Issued Photo ID.
ServSafe® Manager Online Course and In-Person Exam Info
Complete the 8-hour ServSafe® course online at your convenience, then take the exam with a certified ServSafe® proctor at one of the class dates listed below. IMPORTANT: SD Retailers Association is NOT allowed to proctor remote exams through the computer.
SDRA Member Fee: $170
Nonmember Fee: $220
All print exam results are received by email in 10-14 business days at the email entered on the exam score sheet.
SDRA Member Fee | $140
Nonmember Fee | $190
Test Only / *Retest | $90
*Retest Option is available if original registration was received within last eight months. If more than eight months, will need to purchase full registration.
Class Schedule | 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Exam usually starts around 4:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. with up to two hours allowed.
Arrive 15 minutes early for registration.
Bring your ServSafe® textbook with the Examination Answer Sheet (included within plastic wrapped book), and a current Government Issued Photo ID.
ServSafe® Manager Online Course and In-Person Exam Info
Complete the 8-hour ServSafe® course online at your convenience, then take the exam with a certified ServSafe® proctor at one of the class dates listed below. IMPORTANT: SD Retailers Association is NOT allowed to proctor remote exams through the computer.
SDRA Member Fee: $170
Nonmember Fee: $220
All print exam results are received by email in 10-14 business days at the email entered on the exam score sheet.
AberdeenDakota Event Center
720 Lamont St. 2025 Dates
Wed, Oct 1 |
PierreRamkota Hotel
920 W. Sioux Ave. 2025 Dates
Wed, Aug 6 |
Rapid CityBest Western Ramkota
2111 N. LaCrosse St. 2025 Dates
No Classes July or August Tues, Sept 9 Tues, Oct 7 Tues, Nov 4 Tues, Dec 9 |
Sioux Falls
Best Western Ramkota
3200 W. Maple St. 2025 Dates
Wed, July 16 (Call for availability) Wed, Aug 20 Wed, Sept 10 Wed, Oct 8 Wed, Nov 12 Wed, Dec 3 |
Watertown
Lake Area Tech College
1201 Arrow Ave. 2025 Dates
Wed, Sept 17 |
ServSafe® Manager Online Course and Online Exam Info
Online Course and Exam | Purchase directly from ServSafe® (exam proctored remotely by ProctorU)
Online Course and Exam | Purchase directly from ServSafe® (exam proctored remotely by ProctorU)
FOOD HANDLERS STATE SPECIFIC RECERTIFICATION (4 HR CLASS)
This is an in-person instructor-led class or online course with a graded exam, and is only valid in South Dakota. If you have a valid certification (current day of class) and want the SD Specific Renewal, you may choose this option.
The 4-hour recertification does not maintain the National ServSafe® Manager certification, but it does meet the requirements of the South Dakota Department of Health, however it does not meet the recertification requirements for most healthcare facilities and some franchises.
ServSafe® Food Handler Live Class and Exam Info
SDRA Member: $85
Nonmember: $110
In Person Class Time: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Instruction and graded assessment (must score 75% to be certified)
Please arrive 15 minutes early for registration and bring a current Government Issued Photo ID.
All exam results are received by email in 10-14 business days at the email entered on the exam score sheet.
The 4-hour recertification does not maintain the National ServSafe® Manager certification, but it does meet the requirements of the South Dakota Department of Health, however it does not meet the recertification requirements for most healthcare facilities and some franchises.
ServSafe® Food Handler Live Class and Exam Info
SDRA Member: $85
Nonmember: $110
In Person Class Time: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Instruction and graded assessment (must score 75% to be certified)
Please arrive 15 minutes early for registration and bring a current Government Issued Photo ID.
All exam results are received by email in 10-14 business days at the email entered on the exam score sheet.
Aberdeen
Dakota Event Center
720 Lamont St. 2026 Dates
Watch for dates |
Pierre
Ramkota Hotel
920 W. Sioux Ave. 2026 Dates
Watch for dates |
Rapid City
Best Western Ramkota
2100 N. LaCrosse St. 2025 Dates
Tues, Oct 21 |
Sioux Falls
Best Western Ramkota
3200 W. Maple St. 2025 Dates
Thurs, Aug 7 |
Watertown
Lake Area Tech College
1201 Arrow Ave 2025 Dates
Tues, Sept 16 |
ServSafe® Food Handler Online Course and Exam Info
Online Course and Online Exam | Purchase directly from ServSafe - click HERE
Online Course and Online Exam | Purchase directly from ServSafe - click HERE
SDRA ServSafe® Cancellation and Refund Policies
Forfeit of Registration Fees
Registrations are good for six (6) months. If attendee fails to attend class or make arrangements to reschedule their registration fee is forfeited.
Cancellations | All cancellations must be in writing.
Due to limited seating, we request that you cancel at least five (5) days before your scheduled class/exam. We will offer a refund, minus the cost of your study material, for cancellations done prior to the five-day time frame. However, if you do not cancel prior to the five-day time frame you will forfeit your registration fee(s).
Substitutions and Class Date Change | All substitutions and changes (both name and date) must be in writing.
A fee of $35 will be assessed for any substitutions or class date change five (5) days prior to the class/exam date or less. Class attendee substitutions and class date changes made five days or more in advance of the class/exam date will not be charged.
No Show
No refund or credit will be available if the attendee does not attend the class/exam on the scheduled date and does not contact SDRA prior to start of class. A $90 fee is required to reschedule.
If you have questions, call our office at (800) 658-5545 or email [email protected].
Registrations are good for six (6) months. If attendee fails to attend class or make arrangements to reschedule their registration fee is forfeited.
Cancellations | All cancellations must be in writing.
Due to limited seating, we request that you cancel at least five (5) days before your scheduled class/exam. We will offer a refund, minus the cost of your study material, for cancellations done prior to the five-day time frame. However, if you do not cancel prior to the five-day time frame you will forfeit your registration fee(s).
Substitutions and Class Date Change | All substitutions and changes (both name and date) must be in writing.
A fee of $35 will be assessed for any substitutions or class date change five (5) days prior to the class/exam date or less. Class attendee substitutions and class date changes made five days or more in advance of the class/exam date will not be charged.
No Show
No refund or credit will be available if the attendee does not attend the class/exam on the scheduled date and does not contact SDRA prior to start of class. A $90 fee is required to reschedule.
If you have questions, call our office at (800) 658-5545 or email [email protected].
ServSafe® Alcohol Training
South Dakota businesses who sell alcohol are advised to provide approved training to their employees.
SDRA members receive a 15% discount. |
ServSafe® Allergen Training
Making your restaurant staff allergy-aware will help protect your customers, and can help increase your revenue opportunities.
SDRA members receive a 10% discount . |
ServSafe® Workplace
ServSafe Workplace is a comprehensive suite of training programs rooted in the cultural and social issues affecting today’s restaurant and hospitality work environments.
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