SNA’s Certificate
and
SNS Credentialing Programs
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
• As part of the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA),
USDA is developing professional standards for all school
nutrition employees.
• Get a valuable head start on meeting the professional
standards!
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Why Have A Certificate In
School Nutrition?
• Improve your skills & knowledge
• Enhance your professional image
• Move up in your career
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Certificate Programs
Level 1Certificate
Level 2 Certificate
Level 3 Certificate
Trainer Certificate
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Level 1 Requirements
Core
Requirements
Total Core Hours
Minimum 8 Hour SNA-Approved Nutrition
Education Core Course or 1 College Credit
Course in Nutrition
Minimum 8 Hour SNA-Approved Food
Safety and Sanitation Core Course or 1
College Credit
Course in Food Safety and Sanitation/
HACCP/ Microbiology
16 Hours
NOTE: High School Diploma/GED no longer
required for Level 1
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Level 2 Requirements
Academic
Experience
Core
Requirements
Key Area
Requirements
(Can be earned by
using college credits)
Total Hours
High School Diploma/GED
 Minimum 8 Hour SNA-Approved Nutrition
Education Core Course or 1 College
Credit Course in Nutrition
 Minimum 8 Hour SNA-Approved Food Safety and
Sanitation Core Course or 1 College Credit
Course in Food Safety and Sanitation/
HACCP/ Microbiology
 20 Hours in Key Area 1 – Operations
 15 Hours in Key Area 2 – Nutrition
 20 Hours in Key Area 3 – Administration
 15 Hours in Key Area 4 –Marketing/
Communications
86 Hours
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Level 3 Requirements
College Course
Requirement
High School Diploma/GED and College Credits
Key Area 1 - Operations
 3 College Credits such as Food Safety/HACCP/
Sanitation/Food Science/Microbiology
Key Area 2 - Nutrition
 3 College Credits such as Nutrition/Feeding
Children with Special Needs/Community
Nutrition
Key Area 3 – Administration AND
Key Area 4 – Communications/Marketing
 3 College Credits such as Foodservice
Management/Leadership/
Marketing/Accounting
Total College Credits
9 College Credits
Academic Experience
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Level 3 Requirements
Academic
Experience
Core
Requirements
Key Area
Requirements
(Can be earned by
using college credits)
High School Diploma/GED or College Credits
(College credits are not required to meet Level 3 using Table B, but can be
combined with workshop hours to meet the 150 hours required).
Minimum 8 Hour SNA-Approved Nutrition
Education Core Course or 1 College
Credit Course in Nutrition
Minimum 8 Hour SNA-Approved Food Safety and
Sanitation Core Course or 1 College Credit Course in
Food Safety and Sanitation/
HACCP/ Microbiology
35 Hours in Key Area 1 – Operations
35 Hours in Key Area 2 – Nutrition
45 Hours in Key Area 3 – Administration
AND Key Area 4 – Communications/Marketing
15 Hours of General Electives
(Can complete courses in any of the four Key Areas)
Total Hours
146 Hours
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Initial Application Fee
Certificate
Level
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Member Fee
$ 16
$ 20
$ 30
Non-Member
Fee
$ 61
$ 73
$ 180
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Renewal Fees and CEU
Requirements
Certificate
Level
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Member
Annual
Renewal
Fee
$ 10
$ 11
$ 13
Non-Member
Annual
Renewal
Fee
$ 55
$ 65
$ 165
CEUs
6 CEUs
12 CEUs
18 CEUs
NOTE: Renewal Fees are subject to change at any time.
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Reinstatement Fees
Mandatory Audit – Submit CEUs Earned
Certificate
Level
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Reinstatement
Fee
$ 16
$ 20
$ 30
Annual
Fee
$ 10
$ 11
$ 13
Total to
Reinstate
$26
$31
$43
NOTE: Renewal Fees are subject to change at any time.
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
SNA’s School Nutrition Specialist (SNS)
Credentialing Program was established in 1997.
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Eligibility Requirements
ACADEMIC
REQUIREMENT
O
P
T
I
O
N
1
60 College
Credits or
Associate’s
Degree
KEY AREA HOURS
REQUIREMENT
WORK EXPERIENCE
REQUIREMENT
30 more College Credits One year work experience related
in any of the four Key
to school nutrition within the past
Areas
5 years in any of the following
settings:
OR
• School Nutrition Program
Work experience in
• Community Nutrition Program
coordinating, managing or
• College/University/Technical/Culinary Program
supervising various aspects of • SNA State/National Association Staff
• State/Community Agency
child nutrition programs
• Trainer/Consultant/Industry Staff
(1 year of work experience
equals 10 college credits. )
O
P
T
I
O
N
2
Bachelor’s None
Degree or
Higher
Same as Above
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Exam Application
• The SNS Credentialing Exam Handbook contains the exam
application form, requirements and list of resources to use to
prepare for the exam.
• You must:
 Submit a copy of your transcript
 Submit the application and appropriate fee
www.schoolnutrition.org/sns
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Exam Fees Beginning
August 1, 2014
EXAM
FEES
MEMBER
NONMEMBER
Exam
Application
$ 210
$ 305
Annual
Maintenance
$ 65
$ 160
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Prepping for the Exam
• Use the SNS Credentialing Exam Handbook
• Form a study group or contact an SNS at your
chapter or SNA state affiliate for mentoring
• SNA is developing a Study Review Course
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Exam Content &
Knowledge Areas
1. Menu and Nutrition Management – 17 %
2. Financial Management – 16 %
3. Food Production and Operations Management – 15 %
4. Food Security, Sanitation and Safety – 14.5 %
5. Human Resource Management – 10 %
6. Program Management and Accountability – 10 %
7. Marketing and Communications – 7 %
8. Facilities, Technology and Equipment Management –5 %
9. Procurement and Inventory Management – 5.5 %
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Exam Results
• Results in 6 to 8 weeks after exam
• Pass: (score of 78.5% or higher) use
the SNS designation after your
name, receive an SNS Certificate
and are able to order the SNS Pin.
• Didn’t Pass: receive a letter and
Diagnostic Report showing the
areas of weakness in the exam.
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
For Exam Dates
www.schoolnutrition.org/sns
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
FAQs
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
How Long Does It Take To Process
My Application?
4-6 weeks
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Who is required to submit documentation
of a HS Diploma or GED?
• NO HS Diploma/GED requirement for Level 1.
• All new applicants for Level 2 and Level 3 must
submit a copy of their HS Diploma/GED.
• Those maintaining their current certificate level, do
not have to submit documentation of a high school
diploma or GED to renew.
• College transcript can be substituted.
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
What are the Differences between
Key Area Hours and CEUs?
• Key Area Hours can be used when applying
for new certificates, changing certificate
levels, and renewing existing certificates.
• CEUs are specific to certificate or SNS
renewal only.
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Can I bundle courses to obtain the
2-hour minimum for Key Area Hours?
Yes! You can bundle courses from the same Key
Area when courses were provided at the same
event.
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Where can I find online courses?
http://www.snuniversity.org/
http://www.nfsmi.org/
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
What Types of CEU Documentation
will SNA Accept ?









Certificates of Completion
Copies of Rosters
College/University Transcripts
Program Agendas
Program Books/Brochures
Registration Confirmation Letters
Conference Badges
Payment Receipts
MySNA Transcript
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
What is an
Annual Certificate Period?
• Renew annually by paying the renewal fee and
submitting the renewal form.
• Required to submit documentation of CEUs if
audited.
• Follow these CEU requirements:
LEVELS
Level 1
CEUs
6 CEUs during 1 year period
Level 2
12 CEUs during 1 year period
Level 3
18 CEUs during 1 year period
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
When Will I Receive
My Pay Increase?
• Pay increases or bonuses are unique
agreements between you and your
employer.
• Check with your supervisor or human
resources department about
documentation requirements and
timelines.
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
I didn’t renew by my Certificate
Expiration date. What Should I Do?
You will need to reinstate your
certificate.
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Why can’t I see all of
my CEUs on mySNA?
• SNA stopped processing CEUs September 1,
2008.
• SNA only tracks CEUs for SNA sponsored
activities (ANC, LAC, CNIC, NLC, School
Nutrition magazine PDA’s 3 passing)
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Can I Take A Course Twice
To Count As CEUs?
No, courses cannot be repeated twice during
your certificate or SNS renewal period.
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
Can I Use CEUs I Earned
Outside Of My Certificate
Or Credential Period?
• No, CEUs must be earned and can only be
counted during your renewal period.
• They cannot be rolled-over from one period to
the next.
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
How can I complete a
core course?
For reference, a list of nutrition and
food safety/sanitation core courses
approved by SNA is posted at
http://www.schoolnutrition.org/Certificate/ApprovedNutrition-Education/
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
MySNA Reports
• SNA Certificate and SNS Credentialing reports
are available on MySNA.
• Only Certificate Chairs and Certificate
Processors can access these reports.
• Reports available include:
 Current and Expired Certificates
 Current and Expired SNS Credentialed
 Current SNA Trainers
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
SNA Professional
Development Options
Navigation at www.schoolnutrition.org/Education
SNA Professional
Development Options
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org
For questions, contact:
SNA’s Certificate & Credentialing Staff
certsns@schoolnutrition.org
Phone: (800) 877-8822
Copyright © 2014 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org