Food Safety

Who Should Apply?

If you're responsible for conducting risk-based facility audits (foreign or domestic) against internationally recognized food safety standards designed to mitigate risk, promote food safety, and enhance consumer confidence in the food supply, then the RFSA credential is the right choice for you. Upon submitting a completed application, the RFSA credential holder will be prepared to complete 3rd party audits. 

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Eligibility Requirements

• Hold a current Certified in Food Safety Supplier Audits (CFSSA) credential.
• Audit or inspection experience of a minimum of five audits in one food sector/category (equaling a minimum total of 80 hours) with the audits meeting or equivalent to an audit program within that same sector. Acceptable sectors are Human, Animal, and Produce. Only experience within the past 18 months of the RFSA application being submitted will be accepted.
• Have a sponsoring Certification Body (CB) submit an acceptable Witness Audit Checklist in one food sector/category. The Witness Audit Checklist must align with the audit or inspection experience as outlined in requirement 2. 

Price

Member: US $225

Non-member: US $355

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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE rfsA CREDENTIAL 

A Professional Credential From NEHA

Since 1937 NEHA has been leading the way for practitioners to achieve a set of defined competencies, evidenced through testing and maintained through continuing education. These benchmarks of excellence have become the gold standard in recognizing those who are uniquely equipped to handle the wide breadth of environmental health issues. NEHA’s long-standing history in credentialing means that our standards are high and that individuals with a NEHA credential have mastered a body of knowledge and acquired practical experience to perform relevant work responsibilities.

As an impartial, third-party endorsement of an individual’s professional knowledge and experience, a credential stands in support of a candidate’s resume and professional references. It serves as verification that a professional has achieved a baseline level of competency in his or her subject matter.

Food Safety Magazine published two articles, NEHA Credential Creates a Professional Pathway for Food Safety Auditors and New Food Safety Auditing Credentials, that outlined the work that went into creating the RFSA.

NEW from NEHA! Two Food Safety Auditor Credentials

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has revolutionized the food safety landscape adding to the arsenal of required knowledge needed by those involved in any aspect of the food supply chain. Competent, qualified individuals are needed to carry out the functions described in the regulations. Equally, competent qualified individuals are needed for auditing the effectiveness of food safety programs internally, for supplier programs, and as an external third party observer. NEHA’s two-pronged food safety auditor credential, Certified in Food Safety Supplier Audits (CFSSA) and Registered Food Safety Auditor (RFSA) meet the needs of an independent assurance of a capable workforce for all levels of food safety auditing.

Certified in Food Safety Supplier Audits (CFSSA) Credential

The CFSSA credential has been developed to help build the global capacity of qualified, vetted professionals that will be needed to meet the requirements of FSMA. Upon successfully passing the exam, the CFSSA credential holder will be prepared to complete 1st and 2nd party audits. They will be accomplished in understanding and planning food safety audits, conducting an audit, verifying food safety and prerequisite programs, and conducting post-audit activities. It is also a career path to becoming a third party auditor for more seasoned food safety professionals who are one of the last lines of defense in the complex global food supply chain. 

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Eligibility Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, with 30 semester hours of core science education
• Three years of experience in food production or inspection
• Evidence of HACCP Training
• Evidence of the Professional Food Safety Auditor Training Course or equivalent

                                                                   OR

• 30 semester hours of college level core science education
• Five years of experience in food production or inspection
• Hold a current CCFS Credential or pass the NEHA CCFS certificate training course
• Evidence of HACCP Training
• Evidence of the Professional Food Safety Auditor Training Course or equivalent

Registered Food Safety Auditor (RFSA) Credential

The RFSA has been developed for more experienced food safety professionals, who are one of the last lines of defense in the complex global food supply chain.

Eligibility Requirements

• Hold a current Certified in Food Safety Supplier Audits (CFSSA) Credential
• Audit or inspection experience of a minimum of five audits in one food sector/category (equaling a minimum total of 80 hours) with the audits meeting or equivalent to a regulatory or food safety management system standard within that same sector.

During this webinar, you will be provided with a brief overview and background about the National Environmental Assessment Reporting System (NEARS), followed by success stories from two (New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Tennessee Department of Health) of the 23 agencies currently participating in NEARS. The target audiences for this webinar are food safety programs interested in learning more about how NEARS can assist in preventing foodborne illness outbreaks in their jurisdictions by identifying and understanding environmental factors.

This webinar occurred on March 22, 2017 at 11am MDT. You can view the recording below.

This activity has been approved for 1 NEHA Continuing Education hour.

Agenda:

1. Erik W. Coleman, MPH, Health Scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health. 

Topic: Erik will present an overview of the NEARS, program outcomes, environmental assessment, and discuss why participation in NEARS is important from a national, state and local level. Download presentation.

2. Dan O’Halloran, MPH, NEARS Coordinator, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Topic: Dan will present the local jurisdiction perspective on NEARS participation and how it has benefited the New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene’s food safety program.  Download presentation.

3. Danny Ripley, Environmental Health Specialist, Nashville-Metro Public Health Department.  

Topic: Danny will present on the state perspective on NEARS participation and how it has benefited the Nashville-Metro Public Health’s food safety program. Download presentation.

View NEARS Webinar:

View NEARS Webinar- Condensed Version for Decision Makers

Who Should Apply?

If you're responsible for conducting risk-based facility audits (foreign or domestic) against internationally recognized food safety standards designed to mitigate risk, promote food safety, and enhance consumer confidence in the food supply, then the CFSSA credential is the right choice for you. Upon passing the exam, an individual will be prepared to complete 1st and 2nd party, and food safety supply chain audits.

APPLY NOW 

Eligibility Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, with 30 semester hours of core science education
• Three years of experience in food production or inspection
• Evidence of HACCP Training
• Evidence of the Professional Food Safety Auditor Training Course or equivalent

                                                                   OR

• 30 semester hours of college level core science education
• Five years of experience in food production or inspection
• Hold a current CCFS Credential in good standing
• Evidence of HACCP Training
• Evidence of the Professional Food Safety Auditor Training Course or equivalent

Price

Member: US $355

Non-member: US $495

apply now  

Learn More ABout The CFSSA Credential 

This information is a brief overview of the eligibility requirements. For complete details, please see the Candidate Information Brochure. If you don't meet the requirements of the CFSSA, please consider the Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS) credential.

A Professional Credential From NEHA

Since 1937 NEHA has been leading the way for practitioners to achieve a set of defined competencies, evidenced through testing and maintained through continuing education. These benchmarks of excellence have become the gold standard in recognizing those who are uniquely equipped to handle the wide breadth of environmental health issues. NEHA’s long-standing history in credentialing means that our standards are high and that individuals with a NEHA credential have mastered a body of knowledge and acquired practical experience to perform relevant work responsibilities.

As an impartial, third-party endorsement of an individual’s professional knowledge and experience, a credential stands in support of a candidate’s resume and professional references. It serves as verification that a professional has achieved a baseline level of competency in his or her subject matter.