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ServSafe Food Manager Certification

Keep Safe in the Kitchen

This 8-hour course prepares food service professionals to pass the ServSafe Food Manager Certification exam, a nationally recognized credential issued by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of food safety principles, safe food handling practices, and the responsibilities of a food manager in maintaining a safe and sanitary operation. The course combines instructor-led instruction, interactive discussion, and exam preparation to equip participants with both the knowledge and confidence to pass the certification exam and apply food safety best practices in their workplace. Upon successful completion of the exam, participants will receive the ServSafe Food Manager Certification, which is recognized and accepted by most state and local health departments across the United States.

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  • ​​Identify the major causes of foodborne illness and explain the food manager's role in preventing contamination and protecting public health.
    • ​Describe the characteristics of major foodborne pathogens and explain the conditions - including FAT TOM - that allow microorganisms to grow and cause illness.
    • ​Demonstrate proper personal hygiene practices including handwashing procedures, appropriate work attire, and protocols for employees who are ill.
    • Trace the flow of food through a food service operation and identify critical control points where contamination risk is highest.
    • ​Apply safe purchasing, receiving, and storage practices including proper temperature control and FIFO (First In, First Out) inventory management.
    • ​Identify minimum internal cooking temperatures, safe holding temperatures, and proper preparation practices for a variety of food types.
    • ​Explain the principles of a food safety management system including Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) and how to implement them in a food service environment.
    • ​Identify the requirements for safe facility design, equipment maintenance, and an effective integrated pest management program.
    • ​Distinguish between cleaning and sanitizing, identify approved sanitizers and concentrations, and describe proper manual and mechanical warewashing procedures.
    • ​Successfully complete the ServSafe Food Manager Certification exam with a passing score of 70% or higher.
  • Ivy Tech offers this as a one-day class or in two, half-day sessions one week apart.
    • Cost includes instruction, class materials, and certification exam for Food Managers. Ask us about funding available to individuals who qualify through WorkOne or Indiana's IMPACT job training services for SNAP recipients.
    • Ivy Tech students who are pursuing an Ivy Tech degree or certificate can earn the certification by taking the course HOSP 101 Sanitation & Safety as part of their program's curriculum.

Class & Exam Cost (updated June 2025):

  • $155 for members of the Indiana Restaurant & Lodging Association ($10 discount)
  • $165 for non-members

Ivy Tech skills training classes do not earn you college credit on their own, but they may crosswalk into Ivy Tech's academic degree programs should you decide to pursue that route in the future. Speak with an advisor to learn more about getting credit for prior learning.

Upcoming Classes

Class Location

Class Dates
Time
Location
Cost
  • Sep 16, 2026 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Richmond
$165

Ivy Tech Richmond
2357 Chester Blvd.
Richmond, IN 47374

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Eddie Wigginton, 463-308-1771, ewigginton@ivytech.edu

  • Sep 28, 2026 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Indianapolis
$165

Conference Center and Culinary Institute
2820 N Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46208

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Ivy Tech Indianapolis Career Link, indianapolis-careerlink@ivytech.edu

  • Oct 7, 2026 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Kokomo
$165

   If you have questions concerning this course please contact the Ivy+ Career Link Kokomo team at kokomo-careerlink@ivytech.edu.

Ivy Tech Kokomo Campus
1815 E Morgan St
Kokomo, IN 46902

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Ivy+ Career Link- Kokomo, 1-463-298-0505, kokomo-careerlink@ivytech.edu

  • Oct 7, 2026 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday
East Chicago
$155–165

Ivy Tech Lake County at East Chicago
410 E. Columbus Dr.
East Chicago, IN 46312

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Krystina Patricio, (812) 924-3642, kpatricio@ivytech.edu

  • Oct 8, 2026 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Marion
$165

Individuals must register through the Hospitality Indiana site by clicking on the "Register" button.
   
If you have questions concerning this course, please contact the Ivy+ Career Link Marion team at marion-careerlink@ivytech.edu.

Registration: 8:00 AM
Training: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Exam: 3:30 PM

Ivy Tech Marion Campus

Marion, IN 46953

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Emily Summers, (574) 544-2487, esummers14@ivytech.edu

  • Oct 10, 2026 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lafayette
$165

   By clicking on register you will be redirected to the Hospitality Indiana to complete registration and payment.

Gail Room
1801 S. 18th St. Lafayette, IN 47905 United States
Lafayette, IN 47905

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Holly Brown, 765-269-5871, lafayette-careerlink@ivytech.edu

  • Oct 12, 2026 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Mon.
Fort Wayne
$155

Ivy Tech Fort Wayne - Coliseum Campus
3800 N Anthony Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46805

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Kassandra Flanagan, kflanagan9@ivytech.edu

  • Oct 19, 2026 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Oct 26, 2026 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Terre Haute
$155–165

Registration Opens Soon! Reach out to Amy Akers, aakers@ivytech.edu, for more information.

This 2-day course includes instruction, book & exam. Meets Indiana Food Manager certification requirements.

Registration: 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM For Both Days

Training: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Exam: 7:00 PM on Day 2

Ivy Tech Center for Workforce Development
1700 E Industrial Drive
Terre Haute, IN 47906

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Amy Akers, 463-298-0893, aakers@ivytech.edu

  • Oct 23, 2026 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday
Valparaiso
$0

Ivy Tech Community College will be holding a one-day ServSafe class at our Michigan City site.

Michigan City Site at Healthlinc, 301
200 Alfred Avenue
Michigan City, IN 46360

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Kathy Kostecka, 463-261-6314, kkostecka@ivytech.edu

  • Nov 2, 2026 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Mon.
Fort Wayne
$155

Ivy Tech Fort Wayne - Coliseum Campus
3800 N Anthony Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46805

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Kassandra Flanagan, kflanagan9@ivytech.edu

  • Nov 4, 2026 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday
East Chicago
$155–165

Ivy Tech Lake County at East Chicago
410 E. Columbus Dr.
East Chicago, IN 46312

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Krystina Patricio, (812) 924-3642, kpatricio@ivytech.edu

  • Nov 17, 2026 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Batesville
$165

Ivy Tech Batesville
1 Ivy Tech Drive
Batesville, IN 47006

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Melissa Cooper, mcooper246@ivytech.edu

  • Dec 2, 2026 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Marion
$165

Individuals must register through the Hospitality Indiana site by clicking on the "Register" button.
   
If you have questions concerning this course, please contact the Ivy+ Career Link Marion team at marion-careerlink@ivytech.edu.

Registration: 8:00 AM
Training: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Exam: 3:30 PM

Ivy Tech Marion Campus

Marion, IN 46953

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Emily Summers, (574) 544-2487, esummers14@ivytech.edu

  • Dec 3, 2026 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday
East Chicago
$155–165

Ivy Tech Lake County at East Chicago
410 E. Columbus Dr.
East Chicago, IN 46312

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Krystina Patricio, (812) 924-3642, kpatricio@ivytech.edu

  • Dec 7, 2026 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Mon.
Fort Wayne
$155

Ivy Tech Fort Wayne - Coliseum Campus
3800 N Anthony Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46805

In Person, Instructor-Led
Contact: Kassandra Flanagan, kflanagan9@ivytech.edu

Costs may vary by location given differences in the cost of supplies and class provider.