Food Service Operator Certification is required in the municipalities of Oklahoma City, Edmond, Midwest City, Warr Acres, Spencer, The Village, Nichols Hills, Harrah and Del City. This Certification is a manager’s level certification. Each food service establishment is required to have at least one certified Food Service Operator. This certification involves 14 hours of class work and successfully passing an examination. The person obtaining this certification must be employed at the establishment and be in a position to supervise and train employees.
How to Obtain a Food Manager’s Certificate
Certification may be obtained through the methods listed below:
- Attend an approved class and successfully pass the exam
- Study online and successfully pass the exam at a testing site
- Reciprocity from a nationally recognized Food Manager’s Class that is approved by the Oklahoma City County Health Department
Who is Required to have a Food Service Operator’s Certificate?
At least one employee in each food service establishment is required to have a Food Service Operator’s Certificate. This employee must be able to train other employees on safe food handling practices. This employee is expected to be present in the facility on a regular basis.
Online Options
Currently there are three (3) nationally recognized online testing options. Each site provides online training and study options and practice tests. All tests must be taken at a testing site under the observation of a proctor. No online self-testing is accepted. You may not test in you own home. Several of the sites offer the study materials and exam in other languages. Please contact them directly to ask about non-English language options. The Nationally recognized testing options are:
National Registry of Food Safety Professionals
1-800-446-0257
Name of Course: Food Safety Manager Certification
Prometric
1-800-786-3926
Name of Course: Certified Professional Food Manager
ServSafe (okrestaurants.com also offers ServSafe classes)
405-942-8181
Name of Course: ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
HB info
House Bill 1804 went into effect on November 1, 2007. As a result, anyone attending a food manager class or applying for a manager’s certificate from the Oklahoma City County Health Department must sign a statement that they are either (1) a United States citizen, or (2) a qualified alien under the federal Immigration & Nationality Act and are lawfully present in the United States. For ongoing updates or questions regarding this requirement, please call 405-425-4355.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My Food Service Operators Certification has expired. How and where do I go to renew my certification?
A: The Food Service Operators Certification can be renewed by attending on of the classes offered and passing the exam. You may also opt to just take the exam without attending the classes if you have tested before. The exams are offered at all the classes or you may choose one of the online options to test at a testing site. We no longer offer tests at the offices of the Oklahoma City County Health Department.
Q: What are the hours of operation for the Oklahoma City County Health Dept and where are you located?
A: The Consumer Protection division of the Oklahoma City County Health Department is located in the Shepherd Mall Office Complex, 2401 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73107. We are in Suite 2G and are available to complete the issuance of Food Service Operator Certificates, Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. Please park and enter Entrance A at the SW doors for the mall and take the stairs/elevator to the 2nd floor. For additional information call (405) 425-4347.
Q: Do I need this certification before I open my new food establishment?
A: Check with the city you are located in to see if they require completion prior to opening. Oklahoma City allows 30 days after opening to have attended the class and successfully passed the exam. Other cities may have different requirements. Remember that classes often fill up quickly, so enroll early!
Q: I have a Food Handler Card that was issued in a different county. Will this count or is it the same?
A: No. A Food Handler class is a much shorter, less intensive class, often not requiring a test. We currently recognize the three nationally recognized Food Manager’s Programs (please see above in the Online Options section). If you have any questions about reciprocity please contact 405-425-4475.
Q: What do I need to bring to the Health Department to acquire my Food Service Operators Certificate?
A: You must bring your original certificate from one of the Nationally Recognized classes. This certificate must show that you passed the exam. No photo copies will be accepted. We do not accept certificates of attendance from other food classes. You must also bring your photo ID and $6.00 cash or check. We do not accept credit or debit cards. We can also accept pre-approved purchase orders from groups.