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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

01    Who needs a City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate?

The City of Chicago requires that all establishments have a city certified food service sanitation manager on-site​ where potentially hazardous food is being prepared or served​

• City certificates are good for five years
• Whether you take the Foodservice Sanitation Manager course in class or online, please note that the City of Chicago has increased the cost of its certificate from $35 to $45. As a result, your AAFS tuition will increase by this amount.
• The City of Chicago requires separate certification to work at outdoor Summer Festival programs; your City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate will not qualify you to work at Summer Festival events
• Summer Festival certificates are good for one year and expire on March 31 of the year immediately following your most recent certification

02    Who needs allergen awareness training?

• The State of Illinois and the City of Chicago have introduced a new requirement for food service sanitation managers
• Effective January 1, 2018, all current and newly certified food service sanitation managers working in restaurants must complete food allergen awareness training
• This allergen awareness training course must be ANSI/CFP accredited and may be taken online
• Your certificate of allergen awareness course completion is good for three (3) years and must be kept at the food establishment for the health department inspector
• Enforcement will begin July 1, 2018

03    Who needs a Summer Festival Certification?

• If you plan to work at an outdoor summer festival event you must have a City of Chicago Summer Festival certification
• You must enroll in a 3-hour AAFS Summer Festival Food Vendor Sanitation Seminar
• The cost is $40 and includes AAFS tuition, all materials and your certificate
• You must pay tuition on or before your class day using a cashier’s check, cash, money order, VISA or MasterCard
• You must take a Summer Fest class each year you wish to work at an outdoor event in the City of Chicago; your certificate is good until March 31 of the year following your most recent Summer Festival certification
• Classes are offered in English and Spanish and, in 2018, are located at 4225 N. Central Avenue, Chicago, IL 60634; the location is Saint Mary Romanian Orthodox Church where free parking is available

04    Who needs a State of Illinois Food Service Sanitation Certificate?

• The State of Illinois no longer requires a separate certificate to work at food establishments outside the City of Chicago where potentially hazardous food is being prepared or served
• Nor does the State of Illinois require a separate state certificate to work at Chicago establishments that are inspected by the state
• You are only required to have a ServSafe Manager Training Certificate

05    Who needs a Food Handler certification?

• Anyone, other than a City of Chicago certified food safety manager, who works in a restaurant and prepares, serves or otherwise handles food must have a Food Handler certification
• AAFS offers private classes only for groups of 25 students or more
• Call (1-773) 558-5888 for information about group instruction

06    How should I prepare for class?

For Manager Certification class:

• Arrive at class 15 minutes early for check in
• Bring your driver’s license or state ID
• If you have not paid in advance, bring a money order, cashier’s check, VISA or MasterCard to pay tuition and fees
• AAFS tuition includes instruction and your Chicago certificate upon successful completion of the course; the ServSafe manual is $65 if you purchase it from AAFS
• Bring pencil, pen and paper for note and test taking
• Please note that City of Chicago Food Manager Certification classes are conducted in English only

For Summer Festival Seminars:​

• Arrive at class 15 minutes early for check in
• Bring your driver’s license or state ID
• If you have not paid in advance, bring a money order, cashier’s check, VISA or MasterCard for payment of tuition
• AAFS Summer Festival tuition is $40 and includes your Summer Festival certificate and all instructional materials
• Bring pencil, pen and paper for note taking
• Please note that Summer Festival classes are conducted in English and Spanish

07    For all other information or inquiries email [email protected] or telephone (773) 558-5888

American Academy of Food Safety, Inc.HomeAbout UsContact UsFAQ

7144 N. Harlem, Suite 188 | Chicago, IL 60631 (Mailing Address)

Ph: 773-558-5888 | Fax: 847-983-4102

For program information email: [email protected]

For specific questions email: [email protected]