Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS) Credential 

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the CCFS credential, a candidate must meet the following criteria of a track below:

Bachelor's Degree Track

• Hold a Bachelors degree in food science or environmental health from a degree program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council.
• One full year of experience in food safety management, instruction, compliance, or enforcement.

Or

• Bachelor's degree with 30-semester hours of core science. Degree must be from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent if an international institution.
• At least two years full-time work experience in food safety management, instruction, compliance, or enforcement.

Associates Track

• Associate degree from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent if an international institution. Degree must be in science.
• At least five years of full-time work experience in food safety management, instruction, compliance, or enforcement.

Experience Track

• Hold a Registered Environmental Health Sanitarian/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) or equivalent credential in good standing
• One full year of experience in food safety management, instruction, compliance, or enforcement

Or

• Hold a Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) or equivalent credential in good standing
• Two years of full-time work experience in food safety management, instruction, compliance, or enforcement

Applications must be completed and returned to us for review at least four weeks prior to the exam date. Applications received less than four weeks prior to the planned exam date may require rescheduling the exam for another date.

A complete application must include:

• All official college transcripts. Transcripts must be provided to us in one of the following ways to be considered an official transcript:
  • Emailed from the school or transcript service to credentialing@neha.org (preferred method)
  • In the sealed envelope from the college Registrar's Office/Transcript Office

  • Appropriate Fees

• Third party review if education is international

Expiration

Applications are valid for one year from the date we receive them. If the test has not been taken within one year of applying, new application and fees must be submitted. Pearson VUE testing authorizations are valid for one year.

All fees must be paid in full before the application is processed.

To apply, complete the online application:

• Go to MyNEHA.
• Login or create a MyNEHA account.
• Select " Credentials & Exams" in the top right.
• Select "Apply for Certification."
• Choose CCFS from the menu.
• Complete the application and submit. Progress can be saved and returned to as needed.

International Education

Individuals who received their college or university higher education from outside the United States or its territories must provide an evaluation report from a third-party international education evaluation service to determine:

• equivalency to a bachelor's degree in the U.S. if applying for a food safety credential,
• that the candidate has completed 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of college level core science education—a combination of biological sciences, chemistry, physical sciences, food technology, nutrition, medical science, engineering, epidemiology, veterinary medical science, or related science field if applying for the REHS/RS.

International Educational Documents

Unfortunately, we cannot evaluate international educational documents even if they have been translated into English. They must be evaluated by an international education specialist. Canadian education is considered foreign education and hence must be evaluated by a third-party evaluation service.

We strongly recommend a service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

United States Education

Candidates with education from within the United States who are not sure if they qualify academically or require a letter from us stating they meet the academic qualifications can request a review of their transcripts for eligibility.

• Complete the Transcript Review Request Form
• Submit the $50 non-refundable fee with the request form

Allow two weeks for a transcript to be reviewed. Candidates will be notified by e-mail.

The CCFS exam consists of:

• 135 multiple-choice questions; 120 are scored and 15 are unscored pilot questions (pilot questions are not called out)
• Candidates have two hours and 30 minutes to complete the exam

Review the exam outline of the seven different content areas the examination covers and the percentages allotted to each of those areas.

CCFS Exam Content

The CCFS exam reports scores ranging from 0-900 with a scaled passing score of 650.

• Scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly.
• Exam results are emailed to the candidate within five business days after the exam.
• Those who pass the exam will receive a certificate and continuing education information.
• Those who fail the exam will be emailed a retake application. Candidates must wait at least 90 days from the initial test date before retaking the exam.
• To retake the exam, submit the Retake Application and pay the Exam Fee and Computer Test Fee.
• The application and transcripts do not need to be submitted again.
• The exam can be taken as many times as needed but candidates must wait at least 90 days before retaking the exam.

About Exam Scores

• The raw passing score is mathematically transformed so that the passing scaled score equals 650. The scaling process is similar to the adjustment for Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales. While the values may differ, the temperatures are the same (e.g., water boils at the same temperature regardless of the scale used).
• A scaled score is not a percentage score but a transformation of a raw score. Scaling is done to report comparable results when forms and raw passing scores vary over time.
• More details on the exam scores here

CCFS Study Guide

The Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS) Study Guide is designed to prepare candidates for the Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety Credential Exam.

This study guide is also a great reference manual to refer to in the regulatory, manufacturing, and processing industries.

Whether you work in the private sector in processing and manufacturing, or in a regulatory / governmental role, this guide provides the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to ensure safe food in a manufacturing and processing facilities.

Study Guide Topics Include:

• Current Regulatory Environment for U.S. Food Processors/Manufacturers
• Personnel and Training
• Evaluating the Food Production Environment
• Equipment and Maintenance
• Hazards and Risks
• HARPC and the Food Safety Plan
• Supply Chain Controls
• Operational Programs

Purchase the CCFS Study Guide

Additional Study References

1. APHA Control of Communicable Diseases Manual | Webpage
2. GFSI Standards: Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 110 (21 CFR 110) | Webpage
3. GFSI Guidance Document Sixth Edition Issue 3 Version 6.2 | Webpage
4. FDA National Shellfish Sanitation Program Guide | Webpage
5. FDA 2009 Model Food Code | PDF
6. FDA Bad Bug Book 2nd Edition | Webpage | PDF
7. FDA CARVER + Shock Vulnerability Assessment | Webpage | PDF
8. FDA FSMA Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration | Webpage
9. FDA FSMA Preventive Controls | Webpage

Candidates can schedule a credential exam at a Pearson VUE testing location anywhere in the United States and internationally. Individuals who take the exam at Pearson VUE will receive their unofficial scores immediately after the exam.

Testing at Pearson VUE

1. When the exam application is approved, candidates will receive an authorization email from us.
2. One to three days later the candidate will get an email from Pearson VUE c/o PTI with the PTI ID number and instructions for scheduling the exam at Pearson VUE. The PTI ID number is valid for one year.
3. On test day, candidates must bring one form of identification (i.e., driver's license or passport) to the testing site.

To reschedule the testing date/time, contact Pearson VUE at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled test time. At least 24 hours notice is required to cancel the exam without having to pay additional fees. We will email you within five business days with instructions to pay your retake fees.

Special Accommodations for Candidates with Disabilities or Impairments

It is our goal to ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to take a credentialing examination irrespective of a disability or impairment.

• All computer test centers are accessible and compliant with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• To make a request for special accommodations, complete the Accommodation Request Form and Documentation of Disability Related Needs Form
• E-mail the forms to our Credentialing Department as soon as you complete your online credential application. In the email, attach the two completed forms which should include:
  • specific diagnosis, medical records or other written proof of the diagnosis by an appropriate licensed professional
  • accommodation being requested

All matters related to testing accommodations will only be communicated by our staff with the candidate, professionals knowledgeable about the candidate's disability or impairment, the candidate's authorized representative (if applicable), Professional Testing Inc. (PTI), and the test administrator or proctor.

The Credentialing Handbook answers many questions, outlines the policies that govern our credentials, and is a useful tool in navigating this process. You can access it here.

To maintain the CCFS credential, individuals must:

• Earn and submit a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education every two years
• Pay renewal fee every two years ($130 members; $345 non-members)
• Agree to and sign our Code of Ethics

NEHA credentials are valid for two years after which they must be renewed. Renewal notices are sent to the email address included in your MyNEHA account.

Renewal fees for CCFS credential is $130 for members or $345 for non-members every two years.

To renew a NEHA credential the credential holder must:

• Submit the required number of continuing education contact hours
• Pay the renewal fee

Renewal Instructions

• Log into your MyNEHA account
• Please make sure you have the sufficient number of CEs before beginning the renewal process. To check your verified CEs, log into your account, click Credentials & Exams > View My Credit History > Download Transcript. This is the only place to check your approved continuing education credits.
• Select "Credentials & Exams" from the menu and then choose “View/Renew My Credentials”. Select the circle to the left of your credential and click “Renew” that appears above. The renewal process will walk you through the steps and you will be asked for payment at the end.

A receipt will be emailed after the transaction is complete.

Other Payment Options

Payment may also be made by calling 303.802.2135 or mailing a check to:

National Environmental Health Association
Dept. #42471
PO Box 650823
Dallas, TX 75265-0823

Late Fee

A $50 late fee will be applied when renewal fees and CEs are not received by the credential expiration date.

Print Your Credential Any Time

You can print or save a PDF copy of your credential at any time.

• Login to MyNEHA
• Select “Credentials & Exams”
• Select “View/Renew My Credentials”
• Select the circle to the left of your credential, a light gray bar will appear with the word “Print”
• Select “Print” or save it as a PDF

Credential Requirements

During the two-year credential period, CP-FS credential holders are required to submit 24 continuing education contact hours to maintain the credential. We measure continuing education in contact hours. One "contact hour" is one clock hour of learning time. One CEU is equal to 10 contact hours.

Eligible Continuing Education

The following educational opportunities are eligible for continuing education credits as long as they relate to the environmental health field, including food, water, wastewater, air, vector and pest control, hazardous materials and/or waste management, radiation, recreation, housing, and institutional health and safety, occupational health and safety, program planning and legal aspects, or general environmental health and scientific concepts:

• Conferences, seminars, classes, lectures, online trainings, etc.
• Up to 10 hours of course instruction that you teach per credentialing cycle.
• Articles written for journals or other academic publications, up to 10 hours per credentialing cycle. A copy of the article must be submitted to us.
• Continuing education credits can apply to more than one credential as long as they are earned within the dates of each respective credential cycle.
• Undergraduate and graduate-level university courses. We grant 16 contact hours for each semester credit hour and 13 contact hours for each quarter credit hour.

Non-eligible Continuing Education

• Submitting the same course more than once for different credentials.
• Books or book reviews.
• Work hours.
• Credential study/review courses, since they take place before the credential is in effect.
• Contact hours earned in the previous credentialing cycle. To ensure "continuing education" is ongoing, we do not carry over continuing education contact hours from one renewal cycle to the next.

CE-Approved Courses

There are many courses available through MyNEHA that can be used for continuing education (CE) credits. While many courses require a membership, others are available to anyone. Non-members can create a MyNEHA account to access non-member courses.

For NEHA Members

E-Learning

• No cost to NEHA members
• Presentation video, materials, online quiz, certificate of completion (after completing quiz)
• Each hour of course material is equivalent to one NEHA-approved CE contact hour
• There is no limit on the number of CEs obtained by this method

Journal of Environmental Health Quiz

• No cost to NEHA members
• Complete the quiz found in each issue of the JEH
• Each completed quiz is equivalent to one NEHA-approved CE contact hour

For NEHA Members & Non-Members

Annual Educational Conference (AEC) & Exhibition and Virtual Conferences

• Continuing education credits are available for attending our annual AEC or any NEHA virtual educational event

Webinars & Partner Courses

• Videos, virtual conferences, and online training in the environmental health field

Continuing Education Audit

Retain all supporting documentation in case of an audit. You do not need to send us documentation unless you are selected for an audit and are contacted by one of our staff with instructions.

• Login to your MyNEHA account
• Select Credentials & Exams from the menu, then Self-Report CEU Credits
• Complete the form (round up to the nearest half hour) and select Create. Half hours should be entered as “.5”.

Courses completed through our E-Learning are automatically added to the account. You do not need to submit them for credit. CEs are approved within two business days by our staff and can be confirmed by logging in to MyNEHA. Items with an "edit" or "delete" next to them have not yet been verified by us.

Instructions for Downloading Self-Reported CEs

• Login to your MyNEHA account
• Select Credentials & Exams near the top of the page
• Select View My Credit History from the drop-down menu
• Select the date of the course you would like a certificate for, and a print tab will appear above. Click on the print tab to generate your certificate.

Instructions for Checking Your Verified CEs

• Log into your MyNEHA account
• Click Credentials & Exams near the top of the page
• Select View My Credit History from the drop-down menu
• Click the Download Transcript link. This is the only place to check your approved continuing education credits. You can print or save this transcript for your records.

If you do not see them on this report, then you will need to submit them again. Any other count of CE credits on your account will not be an accurate representation of your continuing education.

Some individuals may be interested in Emeritus status of their CCFS credential (i.e. CCFS-E to indicate Emeritus status). With this designation, individuals may consult, work, teach, and/or volunteer in environmental health, and must use the designation CCFS -E. Resuming active use of the credential requires a written request to NEHA’s Credentialing Department and additional fees. To qualify for Emeritus status, individuals must:

• Have completed a minimum of 15 years of service in the environmental health field and,
• Have a current NEHA credential that is in active status (i.e. not currently expired) and,
• Not plan to consult, work (part-time or full-time), teach, or volunteer in environmental health as a full-fledged (i.e. CCFS) credential holder and,
• Submit payment of $25 (member)/$50 (non-member) for the status change

Email credentialing@neha.org for the Emeritus request form.