Food Certification & Training Courses

Register for one of our Free Food Safety Classes (Note:  PCCHD does NOT offer Food Handler, Allergen, or Food Manager Training)

What kind of training do I need? 

All employees that meet the definition of food handler (a paid individual working with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food-contact surfaces) are required to have food safety training. The type or types of required food safety training depends upon multiple factors, including the type of duties that the food handler is assigned, the amount of food safety responsibility the employee has (for example: is the employee ever the person in charge), and the risk category of the food service establishment at which the food handler is employed.  If you are unsure of what type of training or certification you need, please email Environmental Health or call (309)-679-6161.  Download What Kind of Training Do I Need? decision tree (PDF).

***Hard copies of all training certificates for CFPM, Food Handler Training, and Allergen Training must be available for review at time of food safety inspections***

Please note:  The Peoria City/County Health Department does NOT currently offer any in-person Certified Food Protection Manager, Food Handler, or Allergen Training courses.  See the bottom of this page for a list of in-person courses offered in Central Illinois.

Certified Food Protection manager (CFPM)

On January 1, 2019, the Illinois Department of Public Health adopted the 2017 FDA Food Code, which includes an update requiring the Person in Charge (PIC) of a foodservice operation to be a Certified Food Protection Manager.  The PIC must be onsite at all times during operating hours in Category I and Category II establishments.

To become a CFPM, a food protection manager must attend an online or in-person* course that educates the Person in Charge (PIC) on how to receive, store, prepare, and serve food in a safe manner.  A certificate (similar to the one below) is issued upon successful completion of a food protection manager course and exam. The Food Protection Manager course with exam are approximately 8 hours in length. The Food Protection Manager certificate is valid for five (5) years.

View Certification Information 

View List of ANSI Approved Online Food Protection Manager Certification Programs 

*see table at the bottom of this page for a list of in-person CFPM course instructors in Central Illinois 

Food Handler Training

A  Food Handler is any individual who works with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or food-contact surfaces. All Food Handlers working in Illinois must complete Food Handler Training, unless they are a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) or are an unpaid volunteer. Food Handler courses are approximately 1-2 hours in length. Food Handler Training is valid for three (3) years.

ANSI Approved Online Food Handler Training 

Allergen Awareness Training NEW!

With the adoption of PA 100-0367 on August 25, 2017, amendments to the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act were made to include an Allergen Awareness Training requirement.  

On May 1, 2021, amendments to Chapter 10 Food Safety of the Peoria County Code Section 10-29(D) were made to include ALL required Certified Food Protection Managers (CFPM) to have additional Allergen Training.

If you are ever the Person in Charge (PIC) of a Category I or II establishment you must be a CFPM and must show proof of completion of additional Allergen Training.  Allergen Training requirements can be satisfied by completing an online ANSI approved Allergen Training course.  Allergen Training courses are approximately 1-2 hours in length.  Allergen Training is valid for three (3) years.

Allergen Training HACCP 2021 (PDF)

View IDPH Allergen Awareness Information

Allergen Training Courses Flyer (PDF)

View IDPH List of ANSI Approved Allergen Awareness Online Training