Certification as a food handler is a must for all PTA Nutrition Students.
The explanation for the food handler certification/permit.
Why does a PTA Certified Nutrition Specialist®/Consultant need to know this information about food handling and safety?
What is a Certified Food Handler (CFH)?
What would happen if there is no CFH employed at my facility?
What would happen if the CFH left my employ?
Does my food establishment require a Certified Food Handler?
What is the cost to take the CFH examination and receive a certificate?
When do I need to be certified and for how long is the CFH certificate valid?
Can one person serve as the CFH for more than one facility?
What are the responsibilities of the CFH?
Does the CFH need to be present at the food facility at all times?
Do I need to post the CFH Certificate or send it in to Environmental Health Services?
How do I become a Certified Food Handler (CFH)?
How do I contact a provider of a State approved certification exam?
How long is an approved CFH course?
Where are Certified Food Handlers training courses held?
Will CFH classes be held on weekends and evenings?
Will CFH classes and the certifying exam be offered in different languages?
Whether you are a trainer or a house wife, a professional athlete or just a recreational sport lover, you are involved with food and calories. Humans cannot live without food and water. Most of the trainers that are certified or not, must be able to apply a dietary program to their clients.
Would you go to a private trainer who is not certified? Probably not! A Certified Private Fitness Trainer & Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) TM are in a class on their own...and that’s what you will be, when you take this course and graduate!
You probably already know that a career in fitness and nutrition means that your qualifications are more important than ever! After all, busy professionals in your community will rely on you to help plan their fitness schedules and ensure they get the right diet and exercise. People from all walks of life now understand the need for fitness training and nutritional knowledge—and they’re more than willing to pay for your expertise! That’s why the demand for fitness professionals is so HIGH and the pay is so GREAT, just imagine you are certified as a personal trainer and as a Nutrition specialist, CNS is a registered trade mark by the Private Trainers Association. You can be proud to add it to your name on your business cards, web site, postcards, new letters, articles and more.
Nutrition Consultant Certification: $ 599.00* not including study materials.
This course is a pre-requisite to obtaining the Nutrition Specialist Certification (CNS) TM . You must pass this course prior to you applying to the CNS course. It covers Basic Vitamins, Food & Nutrition . Mandatory to obtain this certification before applying to the Certified Nutrition Specialist.
Certification as a food handler is a must for all PTA Nutrition Students. (back to top)
You must be certified as a food handler to obtain any PTA Nutrition Certification. Click here for more info
The explanation for the food handler certification/permit. (back to top)
Food Safety is everyone's business. It's important to you as Private Trainer and a Nutrition Consultant or a Nutrition Specialist that your clients are well aware of food safety and sicknesses that are caused by mishandling food.
And it's important to your client that your job and interest in ensuring safe and healthy eating for better results.
A new law requires that most retail food facilities which handle unpackaged food of any kind employ a person who is certified in food safety.
Certification in food safety simply means that you will be required to have a basic knowledge as to the causes of food born illness and its prevention, pass an approved examination, and possess a valid certificate in food safety.
Why does a PTA Certified Nutrition Specialist®/Consultant need to know this information about food handling and safety? (back to top)
Most of the time the client does not realize that food safety and handling may lead to digestion problem, contamination, may cause Salmonella, and other food born bacteria that could affect the digestive process and cause pain and suffering and poor health.
What is a Certified Food Handler (CFH)? (back to top)
A CFH is an owner, operator or any other employee who has supervisory responsibility for the preparation of food or oversight of the operation and who has a valid CFH Certificate issued by one of the five approved food safety certification examination providers.
What would happen if there is no CFH employed at my facility? (back to top)
As of January 1, 2000, if neither you, as the owner, nor someone in your employ is a CFH, your permit to operate may be suspended and you will have to close your food establishment until you become a CFH or hire one.
What would happen if the CFH left my employ? (back to top)
State Law allows 60 days for you to then become a CFH or hire one in a position of supervision.
Does my food establishment require a Certified Food Handler? (back to top)
All food establishments which prepare, handle or serve unpackaged food are required to have a CFH in their employ.
This includes:
* Restaurants and most markets
* Caterers
* MFPUs
* Ice cream and yogurt shops
* Bed and Breakfasts
This does not include:
* Liquor stores which sell only prepackaged foods (do not make their own ice).
* Mobile food facilities (eg, hot dog carts)
* A bar which only sells beer in cans and bottles
* Retail market which sells only prepackaged foods and does no food preparation
* Temporary Food Facilities
What is the cost to take the CFH examination and receive a certificate? (back to top)
The law states that a least one of the approved exams must be available for no more than $60.
This cost limit, however, does not include additional training which may be needed in preparation for the exam.
When do I need to be certified and for how long is the CFH certificate valid? (back to top)
You must be certified by December 31, 1999. The CFH certificate is valid for three years. If you food operation opens after December 31, 1999, you will have 60 days to have a CFH in your employ.
Can one person serve as the CFH for more than one facility? (back to top)
No, a CFH may only serve as the CFH for one facility, except in the case of several facilities in one location under single ownership.
What are the responsibilities of the CFH? (back to top)
The Certified Food Handler is responsible for the safety of the food preparation and service. This includes ensuring that all employees who handle, or have responsibility for handling unpackaged food of any kind have sufficient knowledge to ensure the safe preparation and service of the food.
Does the CFH need to be present at the food facility at all times? (back to top)
No, the need only be employed by the facility. Then Environmental Health inspector will require verification that the CFH is employed by the facility.
Do I need to post the CFH Certificate or send it in to Environmental Health Services? (back to top)
No, but the original must be kept on file at your food facility at all times.
How do I become a Certified Food Handler (CFH)? (back to top)
There are three ways to become a Certified Food Handler in the State of California:
Complete a CFH Training Course and successfully pass the approved certification examination offered by a provider of one of the following exams:
* National Restaurant Association (ServeSafe®)
* Professional Testing, Inc.
* National Assessment Institute
* Chauncey Group International
* Dietary Managers Association
Some providers may offer the exam without having to take the food handler course. You must, however, be very knowledgeable and experienced
in food protection in order to pass this exam without first having taken the course.
If you currently hold a CFH certificate from one of the approved providers, your certificate may still be valid. If more than three years have passed
since the date of issuance, you will need a new certificate.
How do I contact a provider of a State approved certification exam? (back to top)
You may contact one of the approved CFH exam providers by telephone or e:mail. There are also numerous companies and agencies which administer the approved exam as well as provide training in preparation for the exam.
How long is an approved CFH course? (back to top)
Most approved courses are at least 8 hours and some are 16 hours. Several of the Community College courses are 36 to 42 hours.
Where are Certified Food Handlers training courses held? (back to top)
CFH training classes are scheduled by the course providers and are offered everywhere. Contact the CFH Training Providers for the location of a training near you. Or search the internet for classes.
Will CFH classes be held on weekends and evenings? (back to top)
Many of the CFH Training Providers will offer classes during evenings and weekends. Some CFH Training Providers may even offer classes in the late evening or early morning hours if there is a demand for the training.
Will CFH classes and the certifying exam be offered in different languages? (back to top)
Yes. Many of the approved CFH Training Providers offer training and the certifying exam in a variety of languages. Others offer the training and the certifying exam in a variety of languages. Others offer the training in English only, with a study text and exam given in several languages
You can find a training and certification course in your city by calling the Local City Hall and obtaining the information.
This course will cover the following:
Basic Vitamins & minerals
Protein (what is it)
Carbohydrates (what is it)
Food application
Calories
Food shopping
Quality vs.. Quantity
Sport preparation
Contest preparation
Calories intake
Digestion
Energy
Human performance
Diet Therapy
Protein loading
Carbohydrate loading
and more
Additional charges will apply for Tax, Delivery, books & application fee for all certification education.
Click here to apply via internet now!
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