Top 10 Food Service Assistant Certifications

Certifications are important for food service assistants in the job market because they demonstrate a level of competency and knowledge that employers look for when hiring. Certifications can help to differentiate you from other applicants and give employers assurance that you have the necessary skills and training to do the job safely and correctly. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities to work in higher-level positions, such as kitchen manager or head chef, as well as increase your earning potential. Finally, certifications keep food service assistants up to date on industry best practices and regulations which is essential for safe food handling.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Food Service Assistants and explains how they can help advance a food service assistant's career.

What are Food Service Assistant Certifications?

Food service assistant certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and ability to work in the food service industry. It is obtained by completing a course, typically offered through a vocational or trade school, or online. The course covers topics related to the safe handling of food, serving customers, and maintaining cleanliness standards.

Earning a food service assistant certification can help individuals gain employment in restaurants and other food-related businesses. It also helps employers ensure that their staff is adequately trained in food safety procedures. Certification may also be required for certain positions within the industry, such as line cooks or dishwashers.

Having this certification also shows potential employers that individuals have taken the time to learn about proper kitchen and customer service techniques and are committed to providing quality service. It can also provide individuals with an edge over others when applying for jobs in the field since they can demonstrate their knowledge of the industry. Finally, it can open up opportunities for further education and career advancement within the sector.

Pro Tip: When pursuing a Food Service Assistant Certification, make sure to take the time to research all of the different requirements and certifications available. Different states and organizations may have different requirements and it's important to understand what is needed before beginning the certification process.

Related: What does a Food Service Assistant do?

Top 10 Food Service Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Food Service Assistants today.

1. ServSafe Food Handler Certification

ServSafe Food Handler Certification is a program designed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) to provide food safety training for restaurant employees. The certification is designed to help restaurant staff understand the importance of safe food handling, storage, and preparation practices in order to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

The ServSafe Food Handler Certification course takes approximately two hours to complete and can be taken online or in a classroom setting. The course covers topics such as personal hygiene, cross contamination, temperature control, and cleaning and sanitizing. Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a certificate valid for three years.

To get certified, individuals must register for the ServSafe Food Handler exam through an approved provider. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. A passing score of 75% or higher is required to obtain certification.

The cost of the ServSafe Food Handler Certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $10-$20 USD per person.

2. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Food Handler Certification

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Food Handler Certification is a program designed to educate food handlers on the safe handling of food. It is an online course that takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete, and covers topics such as food safety regulations, proper hygiene practices, and how to prevent cross-contamination. Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a certificate valid for three years.

To get the NRAEF Food Handler Certification, individuals must first register for the online course through the NRAEF website. The cost of the certification is $15 USD per person. After registering, participants will be able to access the course material and take a series of quizzes to demonstrate their understanding of the material. Once all quizzes have been completed successfully, participants will receive their certificate via email.

3. American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) Food Service Assistant Certification

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) Food Service Assistant Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed to work in the food service industry. The certification is focused on providing a comprehensive understanding of food safety, customer service, and operational procedures. It takes approximately 10-12 hours to complete the program, which includes an online course and an exam.

To get certified, individuals must first purchase the AHLEI Food Service Assistant Certification program for $99 USD. This includes access to the online course and the exam. Once purchased, individuals can log into their account and begin working through the course material at their own pace. Upon completion of the course, they can then take the exam either online or at an approved testing center.

Once they have passed the exam with a score of 70% or higher, they will receive their AHLEI Food Service Assistant Certification from AHLEI within 4-6 weeks. This certification is valid for 3 years from date of issue and can be renewed by taking additional courses and exams as required by AHLEI.

4. National Restaurant Association ServSafe Manager Certification

The National Restaurant Association ServSafe Manager Certification is a food safety certification program designed to ensure that food service managers have the necessary knowledge and skills to protect the public from foodborne illnesses. The program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and it is recognized by health departments throughout the United States.

The ServSafe Manager Certification consists of an online course, an in-person proctored exam, and a Food Safety Manager Certificate issued upon successful completion of both components. The online course takes approximately 8 hours to complete and covers topics such as food safety regulations, safe food handling practices, personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitizing, pest control, and more. After completing the online course, individuals must take a proctored exam at an approved testing center. The exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions and requires a score of 75% or higher to pass.

The cost for the ServSafe Manager Certification varies depending on your state or jurisdiction; however, typically it costs around $100-$150 for both the online course and proctored exam. In some states or jurisdictions there may be additional fees associated with obtaining your Food Safety Manager Certificate after passing the exam.

Overall, obtaining your ServSafe Manager Certification can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks depending on when you are able to schedule your proctored exam at an approved testing center near you.

5. International Food Safety Council (IFSC) Food Service Assistant Certification

The International Food Safety Council (IFSC) Food Service Assistant Certification is a training and certification program for food service professionals. The program focuses on the fundamentals of food safety, including proper food handling techniques, safe storage, and sanitation practices. It also covers topics such as personal hygiene, kitchen safety, and pest control.

The IFSC Food Service Assistant Certification takes approximately 10-15 hours to complete depending on the student’s prior knowledge and experience in the field. To get certified, students must successfully complete an online course and pass a final exam with a minimum score of 80%.

The cost of the IFSC Food Service Assistant Certification varies depending on the provider. Generally speaking, it costs between $50-$100 USD to enroll in the course and take the final exam.

6. American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Food Service Worker Program

The American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Food Service Worker Program is a certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of food service workers in the hospitality industry. It is a voluntary program that provides an opportunity for food service workers to demonstrate their mastery of basic culinary principles and techniques.

The ACF Certified Food Service Worker Program consists of two parts: the written exam and the practical assessment. The written exam tests knowledge in areas such as sanitation, safety, nutrition, purchasing, menu planning, and customer service. The practical assessment evaluates skills such as knife handling, food preparation techniques, and recipe reading.

It typically takes between three to six months to complete the ACF Certified Food Service Worker Program depending on how quickly you can complete the requirements. To get certified, you must first register with ACF by completing an application form and paying a fee. After registering, you will receive study materials which include textbooks, online courses, practice exams, and other resources to help you prepare for the written exam. Once you have completed your studies and passed the written exam with a score of 70% or higher, you can then schedule your practical assessment with an ACF-approved proctor. Upon successful completion of both parts of the program, you will be awarded your certification from ACF.

The cost for the ACF Certified Food Service Worker Program varies depending on what materials are included in your registration package; however it typically ranges from $100-$400 USD.

7. National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) Certified Professional Food Handler

The National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP) Certified Professional Food Handler is a certification program designed to recognize food handlers who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to safely handle food. The program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

To get the NRFSP Certified Professional Food Handler credential, individuals must pass an online exam that tests their knowledge of basic food safety principles, such as proper hygiene, safe storage and preparation techniques, and understanding of food-borne illnesses. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately one hour to complete.

The cost for the exam is $50 USD. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your NRFSP Certified Professional Food Handler credential in about two weeks. The certification is valid for three years from the date it was issued.

In order to maintain your certification, you must complete a refresher course every three years or retake the exam.

8. National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Certified Professional Food Handler

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Certified Professional Food Handler is a certification program that verifies that individuals have the knowledge and skills necessary to safely handle food in a professional setting. The program is designed to help prevent foodborne illness and ensure that food is prepared and served safely.

The certification requires individuals to successfully complete an online training course, which typically takes about two hours to complete. Upon completion of the course, participants must pass an exam with a score of 80% or higher in order to receive their certification.

In order to get the NSF Certified Professional Food Handler certification, individuals must first register for the online training course. The cost of the course varies depending on the provider but generally ranges from $25-$50. After completing the course and passing the exam, participants will receive their certificate via email within one business day.

The NSF Certified Professional Food Handler certification does not expire; however, it is important for individuals to stay up-to-date with current food safety practices and regulations as they may change over time.

9. American Institute of Baking (AIB) Certified Professional Food Handler

The American Institute of Baking (AIB) Certified Professional Food Handler is a certification program that provides food handlers with the knowledge and skills needed to safely handle food in a commercial setting. This certification is recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as many state and local health departments.

The AIB Certified Professional Food Handler Program consists of an online course, which takes approximately 4-6 hours to complete. The online course covers topics such as food safety regulations, personal hygiene, temperature control, cross contamination prevention, and pest control. Upon completion of the course, participants must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

To get certified as an AIB Certified Professional Food Handler, you must first register for the online course through the AIB website or via telephone. The cost of the online course is $50 USD plus applicable taxes and fees. After completing the online course and passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher, you will receive your official certificate from AIB within 3-5 business days.

10. International HACCP Alliance Certified Professional Food Handler

The International HACCP Alliance Certified Professional Food Handler (IHA-CPFH) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to work safely in food service operations. It is based on the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, which is an internationally recognized approach to food safety management. The IHA-CPFH certification is intended for individuals who are involved in the preparation, handling, storage, and serving of food products.

It takes approximately 4-6 hours to complete the IHA-CPFH certification program. This includes a self-study course, an online exam, and a practical assessment. To get certified, you must first complete the self-study course and successfully pass the online exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will be eligible to take part in a practical assessment that tests your knowledge and skills related to food safety practices. Upon successful completion of all components of the program, you will receive your IHA-CPFH certification.

The cost of obtaining the IHA-CPFH certification varies depending on where you take it and what materials are included. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $100-$200 USD for the entire process. Some organizations may offer discounts or other incentives for taking their courses or exams.

Overall, becoming an IHA-CPFH certified professional is an important step towards ensuring safe food handling practices in any food service operation. It demonstrates that you have taken steps to become knowledgeable about food safety principles and that you understand how to properly handle food products in order to reduce risk of contamination or illness caused by improper handling techniques.

Do You Really Need a Food Service Assistant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors, including the type of food service job you are seeking and the qualifications required by employers. If you are looking for a job as a food service assistant in a restaurant or other food service establishment, then it is likely that having a Food Service Assistant Certificate will be beneficial. This certificate can demonstrate that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to work in this type of position.

Having a Food Service Assistant Certificate can also give you an advantage over other applicants who do not hold one. Employers may view those who have completed such certification as being more qualified and reliable than those who do not. With this certification, employers know that they are hiring someone who has been trained and educated in the proper procedures of food safety, sanitation, and customer service. A certificate can also help to show prospective employers that you take your job seriously and are committed to learning more about the industry.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Food Service Assistant Certificate depends on your own individual circumstances. If you feel like having this certification would be beneficial for your career prospects, then it is certainly worth considering taking the time to obtain one.

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FAQs About Food Service Assistant Certifications

1. What is a Food Service Assistant Certification?

Answer: A Food Service Assistant Certification is a credential that demonstrates knowledge and skill in food service related procedures, such as proper handling of food, sanitation and safety regulations, customer service, and inventory management.

2. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: It depends on the specific certification you are pursuing. Generally, earning a Food Service Assistant Certification can take anywhere from six months to two years.

3. What does the certification process involve?

Answer: The certification process usually involves passing an exam or completing a portfolio that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in food service operations. You may also need to complete additional courses or training to meet the requirements for the certification you are pursuing.

4. Are there any prerequisites for getting certified?

Answer: Prerequisites vary depending on the type of certification you are seeking. Generally, most certifications require at least some prior experience working in food service or related fields. Check with the organization offering the certification for more specific information about their requirements.

5. How much does it cost to get certified?

Answer: Costs vary depending on the type of certification you are seeking and where you are taking it from; however, most certifications range from $50 - $250 USD or more depending on the program you choose.