SERVSAFE®​ Training
Updated  04/23/2025

SERVSAFE®​ is the nationally recognized food safety training developed and supported by the National Restaurant Association. The State of South Dakota, 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. Recertification is required every five years.
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The program is designed to teach time and temperature requirements, hygiene, sanitation, contamination and more.

Pre-registration and PAYMENT are required at least 10 days before class. 
​​Payment is due at time of registration. If payment has not been received, the registration will not be completed. This is for both credit/debit card and check payment options. 

If you complete the "pay by credit/debit card" form and do not get a RECEIPT (2nd email), the registration is not complete as payment was not received. It is employer/employees responsibility to contact SDRA to provide payment.

TRAINING OPTIONS
​In-Person, Instructor-Led Class: 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.  The State of South Dakota requires food service establishments to have at least one person on staff who has their approved certification. See class dates and locations below.

Registration includes: Book, class and certifying exam

NOTE: Instructor-led classes are in ENGLISH ONLY. Books are available in Spanish, Chinese, and Korean (book is required for class)

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. SDRA will provide the proctor with approval 30 days from the class date.

Online Coursework: This option can replace the instructor-led class. The online coursework is completed on your own, at your own pace, but requires a proctored exam (taken in the presence of a designated individual).
Online course is completely ONLINE. Study material is not provided.

Print exams are proctored in Rapid City and Sioux Falls at the end of each instructor-led class and the Retailers Association office in Pierre throughout the month. If testing in Pierre, the exam is online with results provided immediately. In Aberdeen, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, and Watertown , the exam is PRINT and results take 10-14 business days.

To take both the course AND exam ONLINE, you will need to purchase directly from ServSafe®. Click here to purchase directly from ServSafe®
Please note, the online exam is proctored by ProctorU® and requires a minimum of camera and microphone.
     Verify (on the ServSafe® website) your computer has the required capabilities before purchasing. Online course/exam package is non-refundable.

The online course  is available in Spanish and English.

REGISTER TODAY!

Questions? Contact the South Dakota Retailers Association:
​ (800) 658-5545 | [email protected].

ServSafe® ​Manager National Certification / Recertification (8-Hour Class)
To become nationally certified you need to take the  ServSafe® Manager course. ​Courses are available online or in a classroom setting.
The National ServSafe® Manager Certification / Recertification is valid for 5 years.
LIVE CLASS & TEST
Live class and test: Take an 8-hour ServSafe® Manager class and exam at the site. See dates below and register with link above.

​8-Hour National Class - SDRA Member: $140
​8-Hour National Class - Nonmember: $190
Test Only / Retest*: $90
*Retest Option is available if original registration was in last eight months. If more than eight months, will need to purchase full registration.
Class Time: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Instruction and Exam (exam usually starts at 4:45 with up to two hours allowed)

Please arrive 15 minutes early for registration. Bring your ServSafe® textbook with the Examination Answer Sheet (included with plastic wrapped book), and a valid current ID. 
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.
2025 Dates
Wed, June 25
​Wed, Oct 1

Pierre

Ramkota Hotel
920 W. Sioux Ave.
2025 Dates
Wed, Aug 6

Rapid City

Best Western Ramkota 
​2111 N. LaCrosse St.
(​2025 Dates
Tues, May 13
​Tues, June 10
​Tues, Sept 9
Tues, Oct 7

Sioux Falls

Best Western Ramkota
3200 W. Maple St.
2025 Dates
Wed, May 21
Wed, June 11​
Wed, July 16
Wed, Aug 20
​Wed, Sept 10
​Wed. Oct 8

Watertown

Lake Area Tech College
1201 Arrow Ave.
2025 Dates
Wed, May 7
​Wed, Sept 17
ONLINE OPTION
Online:  Go through the 8-hour ServSafe® course online at your convenience, then take the exam with a certified ServSafe® proctor. **SD Retailers Association proctors PRINT exams only (Pierre Office is online, in-person). SD Retailers Association is NOT allowed to proctor remote exams through the computer.

​Online Course with PRINT in-person exam - SDRA Member: $170
​Online Course with PRINT in-person exam - Nonmember: $220
Online Course with REMOTE ONLINE exam - click here to purchase directly from ServSafe®  (this includes the exam proctored remotely, through the computer by ProctorU)

ServSafe® Food Handler South Dakota Specific Recertification (4-Hour 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.

NOTE: The 4-hour course is not the National Manager Certification.
It does not meet the recertification requirements for most healthcare facilities. Some franchises have contracts that require the ServSafe® National Certificate, not allowing this certificate.
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Course has been approved by the SD Department of Health for the RECERTIFCATION option.
CLASS INFORMATION & DATES
South Dakota Specific Food Handler Recertification Class (Valid 5 years):
  • If you have a valid certification (current day of class) and want the SD Specific Renewal, you may choose this option.
    • If you have questions on expired or expiring certificates, please contact South Dakota Department of Health BEFORE registering for the 4-hour class.
    • Call 605.773.4945 to request approval.
  • This is an in-person instructor-led class or online course with a graded assessment, and is only valid in South Dakota. 
    • Exam scoresheets are sent to National Restaurant Association for grading - results may take 10 -14 days.
  • 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.
4-Hour Food Handler (SD specific) Class - SDRA Member: $85
4-Hour Food Handler (SD specific) - Nonmember: $110
Online Class - Completely online, including assessment (Purchase directly from ServSafe - click here)
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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 valid picture ID AND #2 pencil

Aberdeen

Dakota Event Center
720 Lamont St.
2025 Dates
Tues, June 24

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
Wed, May 14
​Thurs, Aug 7

Watertown

Lake Area Tech College
1201 Arrow Ave
2025 Dates
Tues, Sept 16
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SDRA ServSafe®  Cancellation and Refund Policies

Cancellations
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). All cancellations must be in writing.

Substitutions and Class Date Change
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. All substitutions and changes (both name and date) must be in writing.

​Registrations are only good for SIX MONTHS. If attendee fails to attend class or make arrangements for a later day, registration fee is forfeited.

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].

ADDITIONAL TRAINING
​​ServSafe® Alcohol Training

​ServSafe® Alcohol Training

​South Dakota businesses who sell alcohol are advised to provide approved training to their employees. If your establishment is caught selling alcohol to an underage person, your business will be fined and the penalty is doubled if the employee who sold the alcohol has not been through an approved training program. (Upon a third violation within a 24-month period, the establishment's alcohol license will be suspended for a period of time). It is also a good business practice to train your employees about alcohol and tobacco laws, how to handle underage buyers, and the consequences of illegal sales.

SDRA members receive a 20% discount.
​​ServSafe®  Allergen Training

​ServSafe®  Allergen Training

The number of Americans affected by food allergies is trending higher every year. Dining out is a serious concern for individuals with this life-threatening condition and they are often unsure which restaurants can safely accommodate them - if at all.
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Making your restaurant staff allergy-aware will help protect your customers, and can help increase your revenue opportunities.
The online ServSafe Allergens Training is a way to make sure you and your employees have the basic information you need to ensure everyone takes the steps necessary to keep your customers safe. The ServSafe Allergens Online Course is your best, most trusted source for qualified online training.

SDRA members receive a 10% discount .
​ServSafe® Workplace

​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. 

ServSafe Workplace equips employees and managers with training to help manage emerging risks and advance the positive culture of the foodservice and hospitality industries. These programs will combine online training to create consistent messaging, while providing additional free resources such as breakroom posters, videos, and discussion guides to reinforce key training points.