CCFS Credential Eligibility & Application

Eligibility

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

Bachelor's Degree Track

• Bachelor's 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 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 full-time work experience in food safety management, instruction, compliance, or enforcement.

Experience Track

• Hold a Registered Environmental Health Sanitarian (REHS) 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 full-time work experience in food safety management, instruction, compliance, or enforcement

Fees

All fees should accompany the Application for Professional Credentials | PDF

Application

Applications must be completed and returned to us for review at least four weeks prior to the exam date. A complete application must include:

• Official college or high school transcripts or GED. To be considered an official transcript, it must be emailed from the school or transcript service to credentialing@neha.org.
• Completed Work Experience Verification form.
• Appropriate fees.
• Third party review (applicable for international candidates).

To apply, complete the online application:

• Go to MyNEHA.
• Select "NEHA Credentials" in the top right.
• Select “Apply for Certification.”
• Login or create a free NEHA account. Use an email as the username.
• The CCFS application will appear.
• Complete the application and submit. Progress can be saved and returned to as needed.

CCFS Credential Maintenance

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 ($130.00 members; $345.00 non-members)
• Agree to and sign our Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Policy