2025-2026 Credential Information
ANSI - Accredited Food Handler Certificate
| Credential Name | ANSI - 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 Year | Before 2022-2023 |
| Credential Auto Collect | No |
| Diploma Endorsement | FN41 = Yes |
| Validation Artifact | Copy of certificate OR Score List report |
| Credential Lead Consultant | Gwen Turner gwen.turner@dpi.nc.gov |
| Course Number and Title | FN41 Food and Nutrition I |
| Credential as POL | FN41 POL = No |
| Pathway(s) | Food and Nutrition (FONU)Food Products and Processing Systems (FPPR) |
| Cost of Instructor Training | eFoodHandler 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 Requirements | eFoodHandler 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 Expiration | eFoodHandler 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 Lifespan | eFoodHandler 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 Options | eFoodHandler 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) |
| Articulation | Yes Effective 2025-26 See Statewide Articulation Agreement: https://www.ncperkins.org/course/view.php?id=4 |
| Sequencing | eFoodHandler No Safe Plates No ServSafe No |
| Employer Transferability | eFoodHandler 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 Format | eFoodHandler 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 Required | eFoodHandler No Safe Plates No ServSafe No |
| Test Site Options and Requirements | eFoodHandler None Safe Plates Any electronic device can be used. ServSafe None |
| Testing Environment Requirements | eFoodHandler N/A Safe Plates No specific requirements required. ServSafe N/A |
| Proctored Requirements | eFoodHandler N/A Safe Plates N/A ServSafe https://www.servsafe.com/Instructors-Proctors |
| Exam Time Allotment | eFoodHandler Exam is not timed. Safe Plates Exam is not timed. ServSafe 2.5 hours |
| Exam Passing Requirement | eFoodHandler 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. |
| Retakes | eFoodHandler 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 Accommodations | eFoodHandler 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 Notes | eFoodHandler None Safe Plates Food Handler Portal: NCstate-foodhandler.myvlp.com ServSafe None |
