Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. CERTIFICATION AND CREDENTIALING PROGRAMS School Nutrition Association

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. About SNA MISSION To advance good nutrition for all children. SNA strives to see that all children have access to healthful school meals and nutrition education. The primary activities of the association are:  Providing education and training  Setting standards through certification and credentialing  Gathering and transmitting regulatory, legislative, industry, nutritional and other types of information related to school nutrition  Representing the nutritional interests of all children SNA has 52 state affiliates, hundreds of local chapters and over 55,000 members.

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Benefits of Certification Increased skills and knowledge of food safety and nutrition to create a healthy school environment Enhances the profession’s overall image with parents, child and school administrators Formal recognition of professional achievement Updates on current issues around school meals and nutrition

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Certification Requirements

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Required Specialized Training Courses Sanitation & Safety –Serving It Safe (SNA/CNF/USDA) * –ServSafe (NRA) –Sanitation & Safety Exam (DMA) –SNA-approved State Association course Nutrition –Healthy EDGE (CNF) * –SNA-approved State Association course *This course is available at in Child Nutrition U (CNU).

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Specialized Training One sanitation and safety course and one nutrition course, per state, may be submitted and approved to meet this requirement State association determines course to be submitted for approval Once a course is approved, anyone may use the course Specialized training may be used as CEUs, but CEUs may not be used for specialized training

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Food Service Sanitation – New YorkPrinciples of Food Safety - California Food Service Sanitation – IndianaKen-Safe – Kentucky Serving Safe Food – IllinoisFood Service Sanitation - Texas Washington’s Serve Safe – Washington Foodservice Sanitation and Safety – North Dakota Serving It Safe and More – Maine Connecticut’s Sanitation Course – Connecticut Florida’s Sanitation and Safety Home Study Course – Florida Food Service Sanitation - Kansas Montana Serving It Safe - Montana Orientation for Nutrition Employees (ONE) - Georgia Food Service Sanitation - Alabama Sanitation & Safety – Michigan Safe Food Handling - Nevada Approved Sanitation and Safety Courses

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. It’s Time for Nutrition – ArkansasShaping Healthy Meals - California Fundamentals I & II – MinnesotaHealthy Meals: The Kentucky Short Course (4 different courses) – NebraskaObligation - Kentucky Michigan’s Healthy EDGE 2001 – MichiganBasic Nutrition - Washington Orientation for Nutrition Employees (ONE) – Georgia Going for the Gold in Child Nutrition – Utah Nutrition – Planning for Healthy Meals (Home Study) – Florida Kansas Healthy EDGE – Kansas Nutrition at Work: Dietary Guidelines 2000 – Connecticut Healthy Challenge: Gaining Skills for a Better Future – Ohio Practical Nutrition – North Dakota Making Every Bite Count – Vermont Building Healthy Habits Using the Dietary Guidelines – South Carolina Approved Nutrition Courses

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Specialized Training Requirements

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Specialized Training Requirements

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Specialized Training Requirements

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Continuing education must be job related Courses must have prior approval from SNA or state association, except for approved sponsors Each full hour of instruction equals one unit CEUs may not be carried over from one certification period to the next Individuals are responsible for verifying attendance at each educational activity

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. List of Acceptable Documentation for CEUs Certificates of completion College/University transcripts Registration or confirmation notices of attendance at conferences Letter from educational provider Copies of rosters Documentation from allied associations

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Approved Sponsors for Continuing Education and Specialized Training SNA & State Associations Child Nutrition Foundation (CNF) USDA State Departments of Education & Health Post-secondary education institutions National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI), National Restaurant Association (NRA) & Dietary Managers Association (DMA) Vocational/Technical schools American Dietetic Association (ADA) & State Affiliates

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Facts on Certification Certificants must be an SNA member all three years to renew certification at member rate Certification levels:  Certification level may be changed at the time you are eligible for the higher level  When upgrading, you only have to meet the difference in the requirements between current certification level and applying level  When changing levels, your certification dates may be subject to change View and print your submitted Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in MY SNA of Additional Certification information is located on

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Credentialing Background Credentialing refers to a formalized process, including a standardized examination, designed to assess the competency of personnel against established standards. Personnel who pass the examination and meet all other prerequisites are awarded the designation - School Nutrition Specialist (SNS).

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Eligibility Requirements Associate’s Degree or education equivalent (60 college semester hours); One year of experience in school foodservice and nutrition in the past five years; Thirty semester hours of specialized training or substitute additional years of work experience in school foodservice.

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Facts on Credentialing The Credentialing Exam Handbook contains the exam application. Available from SNA Service Center or You receive results six to eight weeks after taking the exam You must:  Submit supporting documentation with the application verifying you meet the eligibility requirements.  Submit copies of your transcript or diploma.  Complete 45 CEUs within the three year credentialing period in order to renew. Purchase the SNS Credentialing Exam Study Guide from the Emporium at (800) or online at

Copyright © 2007 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. Credentialing Exam Dates For a complete listing of upcoming exam dates, locations and registration deadlines, visit Over 900 Child Nutrition Professionals have earned the SNS credential!