Food Safety Inspector Training & Certificate Courses
Discover the training and certificates needed to become a health and food inspector.
Health and food inspectors are responsible for ensuring that the food that we eat is safe and won't make us sick.
To become a food inspector, you'll need training and to pass a certification exam. We'll break down everything you need to know below.
What Does a Health and Food Inspector Do?
<p>A health and food inspector is a type of health and safety inspector that focuses on making sure food is safe for public consumption.
</p>
<p>They do this by examining areas where food is prepared and served and ensuring that those places meet health, safety, and sanitization standards.
</p>
<p><b>Health and food inspectors may inspect places like:</b>
</p>
<ul><li>bakeries
</li><li>banquet halls
</li><li>catering companies
</li><li>food processing plants
</li><li>food trucks
</li><li>restaurants
</li><li>supermarkets
</li></ul><p>Health and food inspectors are often employed by the government but may also be employed by private companies who want to make sure they're following regulations.
</p>
<p>Depending on where a health and food inspector works, they may take on a variety of job duties. <b>These duties may include:</b>
</p>
<ul><li>inspecting businesses to ensure safe food handling practices
</li><li>inspecting businesses to ensure a safe and sanitary environment
</li><li>inspecting the animals used for food
</li><li>checking for the proper labeling of foods
</li><li>ensuring all processed products comply with health and safety laws
</li><li>reporting findings to the proper personnel
</li><li>issuing fines to companies not following health and safety procedures
</li><li>shutting down companies not following health and safety procedures
</li><li>educating companies and the public about food safety
</li></ul><h2 id="section---HealthAndFoodInspectorEducationAndTraining">Health and Food Inspector Education and Training</h2>
<p>The minimum degree you'll need to become a health and food inspector is an <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Associate_Degree_FAQs.html">associate degree</a>. However, most employers prefer to hire employees with bachelor's degrees.
</p>
<p>Many health inspectors major in public health, but you can also earn a degree in health science, food science, environmental health, or a related field.
</p>
<p>While a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Masters_Degree_FAQs.html">master's degree</a> isn't necessary, some upper-level health and food inspector careers may require an advanced degree.
</p>
<p>The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education that accredits public health education programs.
</p>
<p>You can find a full list of accredited bachelor's and master's public health programs at ceph.org.
</p>
<h2 id="section---HealthAndFoodInspectorCertification">Health and Food Inspector Certification</h2>
<p>While certification isn't a requirement for all public health and food inspector careers, many employers require that employees are certified.
</p>
<p>There are a few different options for certification in the United States.
</p>
<h3 id="section---BoardForGlobalEHSCredentialing">Board for Global EHS Credentialing</h3>
<p>The Board for Global EHS Credentialing is a credentialing body that sets rigorous guidelines of environment, health, and safety professionals. It offers several certification options.
</p>
<h4 id="section---CertifiedIndustrialHygienist">Certified Industrial Hygienist</h4>
<p>The Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certification is for those protecting the health and safety of workers and the public.
</p>
<p>This certification isn't just for food inspectors but also for other types of health and safety inspectors. <b>Students must demonstrate skills in several areas including:</b>
</p>
<ul><li>biohazards
</li><li>biostatistics and epidemiology
</li><li>health risk analysis and hazard communication
</li><li>industrial hygiene
</li><li>toxicology
</li></ul><p><b>To qualify for this certification, you must:</b>
</p>
<ul><li>complete the coursework and credit requirements
</li><li>be in active practice within 12 months of the application
</li><li>have four years of professional industrial hygiene work experience
</li><li>have a minimum of two professional references
</li><li>pass the CIH exam
</li><li>agree to adhere to the board's code of ethics
</li></ul><h4 id="section---CertifiedProfessionalProductSteward">Certified Professional Product Steward</h4>
<p>The Certified Professional Product Steward Certification (CPPS) is for those who manage consumer products throughout their lifecycle.
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<p>These products can be anything, from food products to packaging and more.
</p>
<p><b>To qualify for the CPPS certification, applicants must:</b>
</p>
<ul><li>hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited program
</li><li>have four years of professional-level experience
</li><li>be currently working as a product steward
</li><li>pass the exam
</li><li>agree to abide by the code of ethics
</li></ul><h3 id="section---BoardOfCertifiedSafetyProfessionals">Board of Certified Safety Professionals</h3>
<p>The Board of Certified Safety Professionals offers certification to those who make workplaces safer for workers and the public.
</p>
<p>They have a few different certification options for multiple industries. One option that may interest those in health and food safety is the Occupational Hygiene and Safety Technician (OHST) certification.
</p>
<p>This certification is for technicians whose primary job duties involve industrial health and hygiene.
</p>
<p><b>To qualify for this certification, you must:</b>
</p>
<ul><li>have a career in occupational hygiene or safety
</li><li>have three years of experience in occupational hygiene or safety
</li><li>pass the OHST certification exam
</li></ul><p><b>The exam covers seven domains:</b>
</p>
<ul><li>fundamental math and science and business calculations/analysis
</li><li>safety, health, and environmental programs and risk management
</li><li>hazard identification and control
</li><li>health hazards and basic industrial hygiene
</li><li>emergency preparedness, fire prevention, and security
</li><li>organizational communication and training/education
</li><li>ethics and professional conduct
</li></ul><h3 id="section---NationalBoardOfPublicHealthExaminers">National Board of Public Health Examiners</h3>
<p>The National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) is an independent organization that certifies public health professionals.
</p>
<p>They offer a Certified in Public Health (CPH) certification that requires passing an exam. <b>There are a few pathways to qualify for the exam:</b>
</p>
<ul><li>be a student of or have graduated from a CEPH-accredited public health program
</li><li>be a public health employee with a graduate-level degree and at least three years of experience in public health
</li><li>have a bachelor's degree in any concentration and at least five years of experience in public health
</li><li>have a relevant graduate-level degree and at least three years of experience in public health
</li><li>have a graduate-level certificate from a CEPH program and at least three years of experience in public health
</li></ul><p><b>The exam covers ten domain areas:</b>
</p>
<ul><li>collaboration and partnership
</li><li>communication
</li><li>evidence–based approaches to public health
</li><li>health equity and social justice
</li><li>law and ethics
</li><li>leadership
</li><li>policy in <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Public_Health_FAQs.html">public health</a>
</li><li>program management
</li><li>program planning and evaluation
</li><li>public health biology and human disease risk
</li></ul><h3 id="section---NationalEnvironmentalHealthAssociation">National Environmental Health Association</h3>
<p>The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is a certification body for environmental health professionals.
</p>
<p><b>The NEHA offers several certification options, including:</b>
</p>
<ul><li>Certified Foodborne Outbreak Investigator (CFOI)
</li><li>Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety
</li><li>Certified Professional - Food Safety
</li><li>Food Safety Auditor
</li><li>Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian
</li></ul><p>Each certification has specific uses and requirements. You can learn more by visiting neha.org.
</p>
<h2 id="section---BecomeAHealthAndFoodInspector">Become a Health and Food Inspector</h2>
<p>Becoming a health and food inspector requires receiving the proper education and experience as well as obtaining certification.
</p>
<p>Be sure to choose one of the previous certification bodies to start your career as a health and food inspector.</p>