SNA Certificate Fee Changes Effective October 1, 2023
The SNA Board of Directors have approved small increases to the SNA Certificate Program fees. Effective October 1, 2023, there will be small fee increases to new certificate applications, renewals, and reinstatements. Changes to the SNA Certificate Program fees are listed below.
SNA members can take advantage of SNA’s Training Zone, to find a variety of resources to help earn a new certificate or level up! The Training Zone includes educational webinars, comprehensive training modules and CEU tracking tools and more.
For questions or additional information, please feel free to contact us at (703) 824-3000 or certsns@schoolnutrition.org.
| SNA Certificate Member Rates | |
|---|---|
| New Certificate Applications | |
| Level 1 | $20 (from $18) |
| Level 2 | $23 (from $21) |
| Level 3 | $25 (from $23) |
| Level 4 | $35 (from $33) |
| Certificate Renewals | |
| Level 1 | $14 (from $12) |
| Level 2 | $15 (from $13) |
| Level 3 | $17 (from $15) |
| Level 4 | $20 (from $17) |
| Certificate Reinstatements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Renewal Fee | Reinstatement Fee | Total |
| Level 1 | $14 (from $12) | $20 (from $18) | $34 (from $30) |
| Level 2 | $15 (from $13) | $23 (from $21) | $38 (from $34) |
| Level 3 | $17 (from $15) | $25 (from $23) | $42 (from $38) |
| Level 4 | $20 (from $17) | $35 (from $33) | $55 (from $50) |
Earning Your Certificate in School Nutrition will:
- Provide a career ladder you can use to advance in the field
- Add credibility to your position and to your school's program
- Enhance your professional image with supervisors, parents, and administrators
- Help you stay current on the latest issues and solutions related to your job
Download the SNA Certificate in School Nutrition Program Guide to view the initial requirements and learn how the program aligns with USDA Professional Standards.
To renew your SNA Certificate, click here.
3 Steps to Earning Your SNA Certificate in School Nutrition
Earning your Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 or Level 4 SNA Certificate in School Nutrition shows your commitment to your profession and helps you stay current on the job. SNA’s Certificate Program aligns with USDA Professional Standards.
The SNA Certificate in School Nutrition Program Guide provides an overview of the Certificate in School Nutrition requirements. Please download the program guide for detailed requirements for all four certificate levels.
Step 1
Academic Experience and Training Requirements
First, determine if you meet all the academic experience and training requirements for the desired certificate level. The initial requirements and annual CEU requirements for each of the four levels are listed in the SNA Certificate in School Nutrition Program Guide, and they must be met prior to sending your application to SNA.
Step 2
Documentation and Payment
You may submit ALL proof of training documents along with the cover sheet or your manager may review your training and confirm by signing the cover sheet. If your supervisor signs the cover sheet, you do not need to send copies; however, you should keep a file of all training documentation in the event you are randomly selected for an audit.
Step 3
Celebrate!
Upon approval of your application, SNA will send you a verification letter to confirm you earned your SNA Certificate in School Nutrition. Don’t forget to share your success and achievement with your friends, coworkers and the students you serve.
Note: Individuals earn their Certificate in School Nutrition for a one-year period. To keep your certificate current, you must obtain CEUs within your annual certificate period and pay your yearly renewal fee.
Certificate Program Fees
Certificate Reinstatement
Level 1
Annual Member: $14
Renewal Reinstatement: $20
Total: $34
Level 2
Annual Member: $15
Renewal Reinstatement: $23
Total: $38
Level 3
Annual Member: $17
Renewal Reinstatement: $25
Total: $42
Level 4
Annual Member: $20
Renewal Reinstatement: $35
Total: $55
Information on Incomplete Applications
- The application fee is nonrefundable.
- If your application is incomplete, you will receive a letter listing additional documentation needed to earn your certificate.
- Requested documents must be received by SNA within 30 calendar days of receipt of notice.
- If SNA receives your documents after 30 calendar days, you will have to resubmit the entire application and pay the initial certification fee again.
How to Change Certificate Levels
Certificate holders may move from one level to another by earning the additional academic requirements or key area training required for the next level.
To move up a level you must:
- Submit completed and signed application form
- Submit completed certificate program submission cover sheet
- Submit application fee
- Submit certificates of completion/college transcripts documentation
You may also downgrade from one level to the next by submitting the certificate renewal application and appropriate fee.
If you change certificate levels, you will be given a new certificate expiration date. You also will be expected to meet the CEU requirements and fees for the new level at that expiration date.
Requirements to move from one level to the next can be found in the guide, Changing Certificate Levels.
Maintaining Your Certificate
SNA’s Certificate in School Nutrition aligns with USDA’s Professional Standards; therefore the number of CEUs required to renew are also based on USDA Professional Standards and your member type (see table below). You can also apply the CEUs for your SNA Certificate toward USDA’s Professional Standards annual training requirements.
| Certificate Level | Membership Type | Annual CEUs | Annual Renewal Fee - Member* | Annual Renew Fee - Nonmember* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Employee Manager Director State Agency Industry | 6 10 12 15 6 | $14 | $70 |
| Level 2 | Employee Manager Director State Agency Industry | 8 10 12 15 8 | $15 | $75 |
| Level 3 | Employee Manager Director State Agency Industry | 10 10 12 15 10 | $17 | $80 |
| Level 4 | Employee Manager Director State Agency Industry | 12 12 12 15 12 | $20 | $190 |
*Fees are subject to change at any time.
Additional Details
Your SNA Certificate is valid for one year. You must complete the required number of CEUs during your annual period. Each individual is responsible for maintaining and keeping records of CEUs earned.
Three months before your certificate is due to expire, SNA will mail you a renewal form. It is your responsibility to renew on time to avoid your certificate being canceled.
SNA will check proof of CEUs via a random audit. Only those chosen for the audit will be required to send in documentation of CEUs earned. If you are selected for an audit, notification to send CEU documentation to SNA will be included in your annual renewal notice.
Submit your annual renewal fee with the renewal form to SNA at least four weeks prior to expiration.
After SNA reviews and approves your certificate renewal, you will receive notification of approval. Please allow four to six weeks for your renewal to be processed.
To show your school district that you obtained your certificate, log into your SNA account and download/print a copy. If your renewal form is incomplete, you will receive a letter explaining what is required to maintain your certificate.
In order to pay the member renewal rate, your SNA membership status must be active during your entire certificate period. If your membership status was inactive at any point, you will be required to pay the nonmember rate.
Audit Information
SNA checks proof of CEUs via a random audit. Only those chosen for the audit will be required to send in documentation of CEUs earned. If you are selected for an audit, a notification to send CEU documentation to SNA will be included in your annual renewal notice.
The forms of CEU documentation accepted by SNA are:
- Certificates of Completion
- Copies of Rosters
- College/University Transcripts
- Training Tracking Grid
- Program Agendas
- Registration Confirmation Letters
- My Account Record on SNA Website
SNA-Approved Nutrition Education & Sanitation and Safety State Courses
Approved Nutrition Education Courses by State
State Nutrition Education Core Courses
Massachusetts: NUTR 616
North Carolina: Smart Options: School Meals Make a Difference in NC
Kansas: Child Nutrition
Approved Sanitation and Safety State Courses
State Safety/Sanitation Core Course
Michigan: Sanitation and Safety
North Carolina: HACCP in Your Schools (please contact NCDPI's School Nutrition department for details about this course)
Other Approved Nutrition & Sanitation/Safety Courses
Nutrition 101
School nutrition assistants and technicians and school nutrition managers need to understand basic nutrition. Completion of this course will give participants a foundation in nutrition, current dietary guidance, the importance of physical activity in health, and awareness of personal taste preferences and healthful food choices.
Target Audience: Child Nutrition Professionals
Prerequisites: None
Hours: 8.00
Food Safety in Schools
This training contains lessons and activities that allow participants to be actively involved in learning the food safety concepts needed to prepare and serve food safely and to keep school nutrition facilities safe and sanitary.
Target Audience: Child Nutrition Directors and Staff
Prerequisites: None
Hours: 8.00
For questions or additional information, contact SNA at certsns@schoolnutrition.org.