National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)

Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS)

Credential: Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS)
Credentialing Agency: National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)

Renewal Period: 2 years

The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS) credential is an intermediate-level certification for experienced food safety professionals. CCFSs manage and evaluate food safety plans, food facilities, and food production processes throughout the food supply chain; these professionals work in retail, manufacturing, food service distribution companies, and other food industry settings within the private sector. CCFSs conduct risk assessments, observe and train staff, assess physical facilities, and assure that corrective measures are implemented to control hazards and prevent foodborne illness. CCFSs demonstrate expertise in manufacturing and processing areas; serve in regulatory and oversight roles including, food safety management and compliance positions. Candidates must take and pass a written exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite: optional depending on education – NEHA Registered Environmental Health Sanitarian (REHS) or Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) or equivalent credential
  • Experience: 2 years recommended
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 2 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)

720 South Colorado Blvd.
Suite 1000-N
Denver, CO  80246-1925

Phone: (303) 756-9090

Fax: (303) 691-9490
Email: staff@neha.org

Show All / Hide All

Track 1:

Bachelor’s Degree Track

  • Have a bachelor’s degree in food science or environmental health from a degree program accredited by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council, and one year of full-time work experience in food safety management, instruction, compliance, or enforcement, or;
  • Have bachelor’s degree with 30-semester hours core science, and at least two years of full-time work experience in food safety management, instruction, compliance, or enforcement. Degree must be from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent if a foreign institution, or;
  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent if a foreign institution, and at least five years of full-time work experience in food safety management, instruction, compliance, or enforcement.

Track 2:

Associates Degree Track

  • Have an associate’s degree in science from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent of a foreign institution, and at least five years of full-time work experience in food safety management, instruction, compliance or enforcement.

Track 3:

Experience Track

  • Have a Registered Environmental Health Sanitarian (REHS) or equivalent credential in good standing, and one year of full-time work experience in food safety management, instruction, compliance, or enforcement, or;
  • Have a Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) or equivalent credential in good standing, and two years of full-time work experience in food safety management, instruction, compliance, or enforcement.

The Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS) credential has the following other requirements:

  • Candidates and those who earn the CCFS are required to uphold and abide by the NEHA Code of Ethics.

Written Exam

  • Evaluating Food Facilities and Equipment (18.3%)
    • Perform a Plan Review
    • Monitor Potable Water
    • Assess the Physical Facility
    • Evaluate Food Contact Equipment
    • Monitor Equipment Calibrations
    • Monitor Sewer and Waste Disposal
  • Managing the Food Flow (21.7%)
    • Conduct a Risk Assessment
    • Evaluate Risks Associated with Special Processes
    • Manage the Procurement Process
    • Evaluate Products at Delivery
    • Evaluate Storage Practices
    • Observe Food Preparation/Processing
    • Monitor Handling of Finished Products
    • Evaluate the Transport of Finished Products
  • Preventing Contamination and Adulteration (23.3%)
    • Monitor Employee Health and Hygiene
    • Evaluate Contact with RTE Foods
    • Monitor Cleaning and Sanitizing Procedures
    • Monitor Pest Control Activities
    • Monitor Allergen Control
    • Prevent Chemical Contamination
    • Assess the Management of Training
  • Ensuring Regulatory Compliance (12.5%)
    • Verify Required Licenses/Permits/Certificates
    • Conduct Pre and Post Debrief Interview
    • Evaluate PICs Knowledge
    • Conduct Menu/Labeling Review
    • Complete Required Documentation
  • Managing Adverse Events (9.2%)
    • Create a Response Plan
    • Respond to Adverse Events
    • Evaluate Effectiveness of Response
  • Managing Food Defense (9.2%)
    • Create a Food Defense Plan
    • Implement Food Defense Plan
    • Evaluate Food Defense Plan
  • Managing the Sample Collection Program (5.8%)
    • Conduct Sample Collection Activities
    • Perform Sample Collection Follow Up Activities

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS) examination:

Testing Information

Testing for this credential is handled by Pearson VUE. The test centers are located in the U.S. They also have some test centers on military bases.

To find out more, use the following links on the Pearson VUE website:

For more information on the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS)

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS) credential has the following recertification information:

NEHA certifications are awarded for 2-year periods. To remain certified, certification holders must:
  • Earn and submit a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education every two years; and
  • Submit renewal fees for the CCFS credential every two years; and
  • Agree to continue to abide by and uphold the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Policy and the policies of the credential program.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

Click for more information.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

Click for more information.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

Click for more information.

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click here for more information.

ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

Click here for more information.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

Click here for more information.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

Click here for more information.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

Click here for more information.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

Click here for more information.

Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

Click here for more information.

NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Chefs and Head Cooks
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Chefs and Head Cooks
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Cooks, Private Household
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Cooks, Private Household
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Cooks, Restaurant
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Cooks, Restaurant
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Food Preparation Workers
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Food Preparation Workers
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Food Service Managers
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Food Service Managers
This is an official U.S. Navy website
Updated: October 16, 2019
Top