A certified person is required to be in each high risk food establishment during all hours of food preparation and operation.

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The 10 hour class is generally held over 5 days, 2 hours per day. The renewal class is three hours and done in one day.

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If the establishment is open for more than 12 hours per day, then a second manager must be certified. The more certified managers that an establishment has, the more protected that business is.

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The Food Manager's Certificate is valid for 3 years and is renewable through our renewal class. It is the manager's responsibility to contact the Department and arrange for recertification. If the manager fails to renew the certificate after three years, they are required to take the 10-hour course again.

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At present, Nassau County only recognizes its own certification with the exception of classroom training in a language that we do not offer. Please call our office for further details.

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The certificate belongs to the person whose name appears. It is the manager's responsibility to contact the Nassau county Department of Health with notification of employment location changes.

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The person taking the renewal class must be the same person the certificate was issued to. The certificate is not transferable to any other person and cannot be duplicated.

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Like the Food Establishment Permit, the Food Managers Certificate must be posted in public view in the establishment.

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The Nassau County Food Managers Class is offered in English and Spanish. Handout material is available in other languages upon request. The written test is offered in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Urdu.

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The purpose of the Food Manager's Certification Program is to aid the food service establishment operator in improving sanitary practices. The ultimate goal is to safeguard the consumer through the reduction and/or elimination of those practices and equipment that lead to foodborne illness or intoxication (poisoning).

The objective of the Food Manager's Certification Program is to provide the information necessary to meet the above stated purpose of preventing foodborne illness. Therefore the goals of this program include having the operator:

Become aware of the magnitude of foodborne illness.

Become knowledgeable of different types of agents that frequently cause foodborne illness outbreaks.

Understand the factors that contribute to such outbreaks.

Learn and use those procedures that will help prevent future foodborne illness.

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If your certificate is lost, you must apply for a replacement in person at the Nassau County Department of Health office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday 9:00 am-4:45pm.

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All fees are non-refundable. With that said, if there is evidence presented documenting a catastrophic event, (e.g. hospitalization, family member death) please contact our office for information (516 227-9717).

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Call the office the week prior to the class and the substitution may be made (516 227-9717).

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The Food Managers Course is offered at two locations; Nassau County Dept. of Health Office, 200 County Seat Drive, Mineola, or, The Morrelly Center, 510 Grumman Rd. West, Bethpage.

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