Food Manager Certification

The Wisconsin Department of Health has mandated that at least one person in each establishment must be certified by the state within 90 days of opening a new or existing restaurant. The only exceptions are Portage and Kenosha Counties, where certification must occur before opening for business. Certification is accomplished by passing an exam on safe food handling practices. The TLW is one of a few groups to offer instructional classes.

Our experienced instructors have taught over 37,000 hospitality employees over the last 27 years. They are people from the industry who know what to teach and how to teach it. The information covered allows food handlers to learn the proper techniques for handling food in a safe and convenient manner.

Certified food managers must take the written exam every five years after initial completion of the program. Establishments that have five or fewer cooks or food handlers across the entire staff may qualify for the small operator’s permit under Wisconsin licensure of Food Safety Training for Small Operators.

Due to a change in 2019, certified food managers no longer have a 30-day grace period after the expiration of their license or certificate. It is the responsibility of the license holder to get the proper certification in the mandated time.

Again, our instructors not only review the important elements of food handling, but also all the changes to the Food Code. With constant changes in the food industry, it is vital that food handlers be kept up to date. When the certified person is not on premise, the person in charge must demonstrate this same knowledge. For the protection of your customers and your business, the Tavern League is proud to offer this certification.

The TLW offers over 100 classes a year throughout the state. Call the state office for our schedule or visit the education page on our website, tlwstore.org, to register.