How to Teach a ServSafe Class in Florida

As a ServSafe instructor in Florida, you will teach professional food handling or alcohol serving requirements.

ServSafe is a company providing certification in food safety to restaurants and other food service industry workers across the country. In addition, ServSafe offers instruction to those serving alcohol in the hospitality industry. The state of Florida has instructors certified through ServSafe who can teach these courses around the Sunshine State. To teach a ServSafe class in Florida, you must pass the instructor certification class in the area you wish to teach.

Instructions

Food Safety Instructor

1. Meet education qualifications. In order to qualify as a ServSafe instructor in food safety, you must have a bachelor of science degree in food science, food technology, epidemiology, environmental health or public health. Include the accredited university's name and contact information on your application.

2. Meet professional qualifications. Demonstrate you have professional experience with at least six months teaching or training experience. If you do not meet this requirement, you can still qualify if you have a minimum of one year in a restaurant or other food service position, have worked as a health inspector or served as a registered dietician or sanitarian.

3. View tutorial. To learn the ServSafe instructor teaching methods, view the instructor tutorial on the ServSafe website. This can be accessed from the "Instructor Process" link on the "Certified Instructor" page.

4. Pass the exam. First obtain your ServSafe certification by contacting a Florida instructor and going through the instructor version of the course. A list of instructors in Florida are available on the ServSafe website. After you have completed the program, you can test to be an instructor. From the ServSafe website, you can take the online ServSafe Advanced Test.

5. Complete the application. At the bottom of the ServSafe certified instructor page is a link to an employment application. Click the "Apply" link and complete the performance agreement. This form discusses all areas of the program and your commitment to follow the ServSafe teaching methods. If your application is accepted, you will be listed as a Florida ServSafe instructor. You can begin teaching classes.

Alcohol-Approved Instructor

1. Meet minimum qualifications. You must have a degree in either hospitality or food/beverage management. If you do not meet the education requirement, you can substitute one year of training, teaching or experience as a state alcohol beverage agent.

2. Pass the exam. Take the ServSafe Alcohol Advanced Examination, accessible from the ServSafe website. In order to pass you must have a score of 80 percent or better. Obtain a ServSafe Alcohol Instructor Toolkit to prepare for your exam.

3. Take the alcohol assessment. Review the alcohol instructor tutorial on the ServSafe website, then take the online instructor assessment.

4. Submit your application. Once you have successfully completed your exam, submit your application to become a ServSafe alcohol instructor in Florida. A fee of $50 must be paid when you apply. Access the online application from the ServSafe website. Once you have been officially hired, you will be listed as a Florida instructor in the ServSafe directory. You will be permitted to teach classes on proper alcohol handling to Florida bartenders and others serving alcohol in the hospitality industry.

References

• ServSafe: Certified Instructor
• ServSafe: As An Instructor, You Are a Crucial Member of Our Industry
• ServSafe Alcohol: Three Simple Steps to Become an Approved Instructor

Resources

• ServSafe: Instructor Tools