2025-2026 Credential Information

The North Carolina Office of Career and Technical Education provides multiple opportunities for students to obtain Industry-Recognized Credentials during their high school career.
Industry-recognized credentials hold immense value as they not only validate student skills and knowledge in a specific field but also serve as a powerful stepping stone toward future careers.

They provide a competitive edge in the job market, making students more attractive to potential employers and increasing their earning potential.
Moreover, industry-recognized credentials often lead to more job opportunities and pathways for advancement, helping students embark on successful and fulfilling career journeys.
Beyond the immediate benefits, these credentials instill a sense of accomplishment and confidence, motivating students to pursue higher education or dive directly into the workforce with the skills and certifications needed to excel.
Ultimately, industry-recognized credentials empower high school students to bridge the gap between education and real-world employment, setting them on a path toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

Access the NCDPI Credentials and Reporting website to submit a credential application and to view the latest Credential Attainment Report.

Footnotes:
^ Indicates the pathway is an approved Local Course Option (LCO) pathway.

* Where multilingual exams are indicated, please be advised that the state of North Carolina adheres to general statute as follows:
G.S.§115C-81.45(a) requires classes (silent on exams) to be conducted in English "[e]xcept when a board authorizes teaching in a foreign language to comply with federal law."
Therefore, NC CTE will abide with the Accountability guidance that LEAs are not required to provide exams in other languages. If they choose to do so, it will be at local discretion.


ANSI - Accredited Food Handler Certificate

Credential NameANSI - Accredited Food Handler Certificate
Credential Vendor Info
eFoodHandler
Anjani Kelm
anjani.kelm@certus.com
503.729.5667
https://www.efoodhandlers.com/eFoodSchools/?Site=ncFoodhandlers
schoolservices@efoodhandlers.com
503.726.1076, Option 2


Safe Plates
Scott Bailey
sbailey@diversyslearning.com
OR
support@myvlp.com
https://www.ncstate.myvlp.com/


ServSafe
Lauren Robin
Manager, K-12 Sales Academic Market
233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 3600 | Chicago, IL 60606-6383
lrobin@restaurant.org
312.627.2424
https://ahlei.servsafebrands.com/training-and-certification-overview

Implementation YearBefore 2022-2023
Credential Auto CollectNo
Diploma EndorsementFN41 = Yes
Validation ArtifactCopy of certificate OR Score List report
Credential Lead ConsultantGwen Turner
gwen.turner@dpi.nc.gov
Course Number and TitleFN41 Food and Nutrition I
Credential as POLFN41 POL = No
Pathway(s)Food and Nutrition (FONU)
Food Products and Processing Systems (FPPR)
Cost of Instructor TrainingeFoodHandler
N/A
Supplemental training materials will be provided based on the program subscription.

Safe Plates
$0.00

ServSafe
N/A
Instructor training is not required. The online course and exam are self-paced. If an instructor would like complimentary resource materials, the instructor can register to become a Food Handler instructor.

Instructor Training RequirementseFoodHandler
Available
Supplemental training materials will be provided based on the program subscription.

Safe Plates
Available
Review Safe Plates Teacher Guide.

ServSafe
Required
Register online to be an instructor.
https://www.servsafe.com/Instructors-Proctors

Exam Voucher ExpirationeFoodHandler
After 1 year if not assigned to a student and 1 year after assignment to a student

Safe Plates
1 year

ServSafe
For online course/exam, expiration date is 12 months of purchase. Once course voucher is activated, course expires 60 days after it is started. Booklet course/paper exams do not expire.

Credential LifespaneFoodHandler
3 years

Safe Plates
Up to 3 years
Check with the local health department or regulatory agency to see how often recertification is needed.

ServSafe
3 years

Renewal OptionseFoodHandler
Yes
Retake after 5 years

Safe Plates
Yes
Take and pass the Food Handler Certification Exam

ServSafe
Yes
Retake after 5 years

SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s)Dietetic Technicians (29-2051)
ArticulationYes
Effective 2025-26
See Statewide Articulation Agreement:
https://www.ncperkins.org/course/view.php?id=4
SequencingeFoodHandler
No

Safe Plates
No

ServSafe
No

Employer TransferabilityeFoodHandler
Yes

Safe Plates
Yes
A Food Handler certification is not required nationally. Requirements vary by state and local jurisdiction. However, this certification is recognized where it is required.

ServSafe
Yes

Delivery FormateFoodHandler
On-line

Safe Plates
On-line

ServSafe
On-line or Paper/pencil
Bundles cannot be separate. For the online course, there is an online exam at the end. For the booklet course, there is a paper exam included.

Proctored Environment RequiredeFoodHandler
No

Safe Plates
No

ServSafe
No

Test Site Options and RequirementseFoodHandler
None

Safe Plates
Any electronic device can be used.

ServSafe
None

Testing Environment RequirementseFoodHandler
N/A

Safe Plates
No specific requirements required.

ServSafe
N/A

Proctored RequirementseFoodHandler
N/A

Safe Plates
N/A

ServSafe
https://www.servsafe.com/Instructors-Proctors

Exam Time AllotmenteFoodHandler
Exam is not timed.

Safe Plates
Exam is not timed.

ServSafe
2.5 hours

Exam Passing RequirementeFoodHandler
Complete online modules and pass the exam with a 70% or higher.

Safe Plates
Scaled score of 75 or higher

ServSafe
Go through the online modules or through teacher-led course and pass the exam.

RetakeseFoodHandler
Yes
Students have two attempts to pass.

Safe Plates
Yes
The exam can be retaken twice. If the student fails twice, they must retake the course.

ServSafe
Yes
Online course/exams have up to three times to take the exam. Booklet course/paper exams have one chance. If first exam is failed, a second exam can be taken, which results in using an additional exam sheet at cost.

Student AccommodationseFoodHandler
Yes
Follow student testing accommodations in IEP or 504 plan. Closed captioning and read-aloud available. Other accommodations available upon request.

Safe Plates
No
There are no special accommodations.

ServSafe
Yes
Follow student testing accommodations in IEP or 504 plan. Accomodations form:
https://views.paperflite.com/assets/63f3c3b5d8f2bb607f6b81c6?utm_source=Paperflite%20Link

Multilingual Resources*eFoodHandler
Yes
Exam and resources are available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, American Sign Language, Tagalog, and Serbo-Croatian.

Safe Plates
Yes
Exams are offered in English and Spanish.

ServSafe
Yes
Online course/exam has an option to choose languages such as English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese before course starts. Booklet course/paper exam has a language option of English or Spanish.

Directory NoteseFoodHandler
None

Safe Plates
Food Handler Portal: NCstate-foodhandler.myvlp.com

ServSafe
None