COUDERSPORT — Penn State Extension will offer the ServSafe Food Safety Manager course, aimed at restaurant and food service managers and others who need food safety certification.
The course will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 27 and 9 a.m. to noon March 6, at the Potter County Education Council, 5 Water St. The exam will begin at noon March 6.
These in-person trainings, led by certified ServSafe instructors, will teach participants how to prevent contamination of food by properly receiving, storing, preparing, cooking, cooling and serving food, along with sanitizing food service facilities.
The classes are taught by food safety experts — extension educators with advanced degrees, extensive food safety training and industry experience.
Faculty members in the Department of Food Science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences provide ongoing training on current industry issues. Strong relationships with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and industry leaders enable instructors to help course participants learn the underlying principles of food safety so they can educate their own staff.
Extension educators, based in the communities they serve, remain available as resources after the course, providing science-based support to address complex questions.
After completing the course and passing the multiple-choice exam with a score of 70% or higher, participants will receive a ServSafe Food Protection Manager certificate. This certification is good for five years.
At $165, the workshop is moderately and competitively priced, organizers noted. The course fee covers an all-in-one bundle, including the cost of the most recent edition of the ServSafe Manager book, virtual study materials, handouts, class instruction, review and exam. To attend the in-person ServSafe course and exam, participants should register by Feb. 24.
The TAP Online Food Safety Manager Certification course helps food service managers, chefs, caterers, cooks, health officials and inspectors prepare to take a Food Protection Manager exam, such as ServSafe, that meets regulatory guidelines for a certified food protection manager. The online portion can be taken anytime, but the exam is in person and proctored at a scheduled location.
After completing the online course and passing the multiple-choice, proctored exam with a score of 70% or higher, participants will receive a Food Protection Manager Certificate, which meets the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture requirement for food safety certification. This certification is valid for five years. If individuals are uncertain as to whether they need certification, they should contact their regional Department of Agriculture office.
The online course is self-paced, can be started anytime throughout the year and must be completed within 180 days of enrollment. The course fee is $145.
In addition, a live webinar option, “Food Safety Manager Certification Prep Course,” is available to prepare participants for the certification exam. Designed for managers or supervisors, it meets the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture requirements for the Food Employee Certification Act. Participants receive live instruction from food safety experts without needing to travel.
A textbook will be mailed before the first class. After the course, participants can choose from several certification exam options, available in multiple languages. The exam fee is approximately $100 and separate from the course fee of $65. Participants are responsible for registering and paying for their chosen exam.
The webinar will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. January 28 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 4, 2025.
To register for any of these courses or to learn more, visit the extension website.
To register by phone or for registration questions, call (877) 345-0691.
