SNA has discontinued its CEU Approval Program as of October 1, 2022
SNA is no longer approving CEUs for educational content from other organizations to satisfy requirements for the Certificate in School Nutrition, School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credentialing maintenance, and USDA professional standards.*
SNA provided a window to have CEUs approved between now and October 1, 2022.
For organizations providing continuing education credit that counts toward SNA’s certificate programming going forward, training must meet SNA Certificate program requirements and USDA professional standards. Attendees can claim CEU credit from SNA if the content meets Professional Standards and they submit documentation of completion to SNA.
Specifically, the requirements are:
- SNA encourages that training be at least 1 hour but will accept 15-minute training sessions that meet the requirements for the CEU Approval Program.
- Training must fall within one of the SNA and USDA Key Areas and Key Topics for Professional Standards
- NUTRITION – 1000
- OPERATIONS – 2000
- ADMINISTRATION – 3000
- COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING – 4000
- No advertisements are included in your educational content
- Training must include a post activity evaluation for live, home study and online training. Home study and online training must include a post-exam
- More details can be found on USDA's website.
All previous CEU approval for training content or courses will still be valid for three (3) years post their approval date even after the discontinuation of the program. CEU approvals for conferences will still be valid for one (1) year post their approval date after the discontinuation of the program.
If you would like more information on the discontinuation of this program, please visit our FAQ. You can also email education@schoolnutrition.org with questions.
*Please note that SNA will continue to approve the 8-hour core courses in nutrition and food safety required to meet initial SNA certificate program requirements. Core Course requests will be reviewed by SNA’s Governing Council going forward. The time it takes to review may vary depending on when the request is made and where the Governing Council is in their current term.
All About the Approvals Process
SNA Core Course Approvals
With the discontinuation of the CEU approval program. SNA is now only approving core course approval requests to ensure content in Nutrition 101 and other core courses is accurate and up to date.
Core Course Approval Program Requirements
All Core Courses must be approved by SNA Headquarters. Core Courses are workshops, seminars or online courses that are:
- A minimum of eight (8) hours of instructional time
- Fall with one the following two learning areas:
- Nutrition Education – 1200
- Food Safety & HACCP Training – 2600
Download the SNA Core Course Approval Requirements and Application.
Approval Process and Professional Standards
SNA’s approvals process has recently been updated to further align with USDA’s release of Professional Standards on July 1, 2015.
Download SNA’s updated Professional Standards Training Guidelines.
Core Course requests will be reviewed by SNA’s Governing Council going forward. The time it takes to review may vary depending on when the request is made and where the Governing Council is in their current term.
Content Development Guidelines
The SNA Training Content Development Guidelines are a resource for you to utilize as you create continuing education training materials. Please review this brief document and utilize the principles described as a basis for your training.
We encourage you to review all materials before beginning your submission.
Change in Content
SNA requires notification of any change of information in approved materials. This notification should be provided to SNA in writing at education@schoolnutrition.org. Change in content that is greater than 25% requires that you resubmit the application and required materials.
SNA State Association Program Approval Guide
Review the SNA State CEU Approval Guidelines and customize the Application Template and Renewal Template for your specific state needs.
Approvals by National and State Associations
What Does SNA Headquarters Approve?
Core Course Applications:
- State affiliates may not approve core courses
- All core courses must be approved by SNA Headquarters
From:
- Individuals
- Industry members
- Third-party associations
What Can State Associations Approve?
CEU Applications for training within a single state from:
- Individuals
- Industry members
- Third-party associations
What Does NOT Need Approval?
State association-developed activities, such as:
- Conferences
- Programs
- Webinars
- Online courses
- District and chapter meetings