The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Credential is a mark of excellence and achievement that reflects what it takes to manage school nutrition programs in today’s challenging climate. The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Credentialing Exam evaluates candidates’ knowledge and skills required to perform specific job activities related to managing or directing school nutrition programs.
SNA’s School Nutrition Specialist (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±) Credentialing Program is governed by the Certificate and Credentialing Governing Council, an autonomous arm of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±. The Governing Council members and SNA Credentialing Program Staff are solely responsible for the policies and administration of SNA’s Credentialing program.
To renew your Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Credential,
Definition of a School Nutrition Specialist (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±)
An Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± is a person who has successfully passed the School Nutrition Specialist exam, demonstrated the knowledge and competencies necessary to manage school nutrition programs and is dedicated to continuing their professional development.
Benefits of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Credential include:Ìý
- Formal recognition of professional achievement at a national level
- Professional recognition from subordinates, peers and superiors
- Increased ability to manage a complex food service operation
- Demonstrated commitment to the school nutrition profession
- Enhanced career opportunities
- Elevated self-esteem and pride in one’s work
- Improved credibility with school district administrators and the general public
Participation in the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Credentialing Program is voluntary and open to anyone working in the school nutrition industry. Those who do not meet the requirements to take the credentialing exam can choose to earn a SNA Certificate in School Nutrition. For more information on the Certificate Program, visit www.schoolnutrition.org/certificate.
Membership in SNA is not mandatory to become credentialed; however, non-members will pay a higher fee than members.
About the Exam
The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± exam is based on four key areas that are aligned with USDA Professional Standards and encompass nine knowledge/content areas and competencies.
The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± exam includes 220 multiple choice questions, of which 200 questions will be scored. The remaining 20 questions will not be scored and are being pre-tested for future examinations. The pre-test items will be randomly dispersed throughout the exam, so candidates should plan on answering all questions. This is a standard industry process and best practice approved by the Certificate and Credentialing Governing Council.
Candidates have four hours to complete the exam. An independent testing company oversees the electronic grading of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± exam.
The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± exam eligibility requirements are available on page 3 of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Handbook & Application.
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Exam Fees
The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± exam application fee, which covers one exam sitting, is $225 for SNA members and $325 for non-members.
- If the exam candidate is deemed ineligible to sit for the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Exam or cancels the exam registration, SNA will refund the exam fee, minus a processing fee of $50.
- SNA accepts payments made by check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
- There is a $50 late fee for applications submitted or postmarked after the registration deadline.
- SNA reserves the right to modify fees at any time.
How to Apply
- Download and use the Handbook & Application to register for the exam.
- Read the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Exam Preparation Tips
- (optional)
Upcoming Exams
| Location | Host/Meeting | Registration Deadline | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach, SC | SC-SNA | 09/19/2024 | 10/10/2024 |
| Durham, NC | NC-SNA | 09/25/2024 | 10/16/2024 |
| Verona, NY | NY-SNA | 10/03/2024 | 10/24/2024 |
| Hot Springs, AR | AR-SNA | 10/04/2024 | 10/25/2024 |
| Branson, MO | MO SNA | 10/11/2024 | 11/01/2024 |
| Tupelo, MS | MS-SNA | 10/16/2024 | 11/06/2024 |
| South Bend, IN | IN-SNA | 10/16/2024 | 11/06/2024 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | NJ-SNA | 10/16/2024 | 11/06/2024 |
| Sacramento, CA | CA-SNA | 10/23/2024 | 11/13/2024 |
| Phoenix, AZ | SNA- SNIC | 12/28/2024 | 01/18/2025 |
| Houston, TX | TX-SNA | 01/18/2025 | 02/08/2025 |
| Hampton, VA | VA-SNA | 02/21/2025 | 03/14/2025 |
Now Available
2023 Edition of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Study Guide & School Food and Nutrition Service Management Bundle
SNA is offering a Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Preparation Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Bundle which includes:
- School Nutrition Specialist Credentialing Exam Study Guide – 2023 Edition
- School Food and Nutrition Service Management for the 21st Century – 6th Edition, authored by Dot Pannell-Martin & Julie A Boettger
Note: Preparation resources are also available separately in the SNA Bookstore.
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Prep Flash Cards
These interactive flashcards complement the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Study Guide and the School Food & Nutrition Service Management for the 21st Century, 6th edition textbook. The flashcards allow you to swipe through terms and definitions via desktop or phone randomly. Enhance your memory retention in preparation for the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Credentialing Exam.Ìý
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Exam Prep Course
This On Demand Course is tailored to your schedule, with video lessons led by experienced Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± credentialed instructors. This course includes check-in questions, self-paced homework assignments, and includes SNA’s Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Prep Flash Cards, to reinforce your learning.
Enroll now and earn up to 12 CEUs! While we can't guarantee exam success, we promise to equip you with the right tools.
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Exam Recognized by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Exam is listed in the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Professional Development Portfolio (PDP) Guide under Certification for Alternate Recertification Periods, Activity Type 545: SNA, School Nutrition Specialist. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and Nutrition and Dietetic Technicians, Registered (RDNs/NDTRs) who successfully pass the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± exam after June 1, 2017 can earn CPEUs. The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± exam has been approved for 75 CPEUs for CDR cycles ending through 2024 and 40 CPEUs thereafter. Instructions on how RDNs/NDTRs can receive a CPEU certificate for passing the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± exam are included in the pass notification letter.
Maintaining Your Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Credential
The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± credential is valid for three years and may be renewed for additional three-year periods.
There is an annual maintenance fee to maintain the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± credential. SNA will bill you annually for the maintenance, and in the third year, a renewal form will be mailed out. Renewal and maintenance notices are mailed three months prior to the expiration date.
To renew, the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± professionals must complete the renewal form and pay the renewal fee. If audited, you will be required to submit documentation of 45 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) completed during the three-year credentialing period. SNA encourages Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± credentialed professionals to maintain 15 CEUs each year.
CEUs must fall under the four Key Areas of SNA’s professional development programming and USDA Professional Standards: Nutrition, Operations, Administration and Communications/Marketing.
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± professionals are responsible for maintaining their own CEU records. CEUs are earned for participating in job-related activities such as state and national conferences, workshops, online courses, webinars or in-service trainings that provide ongoing professional development.
Acceptable forms of documentation are:
- Certificates of Completion
- Copies of Rosters
- College/University Transcripts
- Training Tracker Grids
- Registration Confirmation Letters
- Program Agendas
- MyAccount Record on the SNA website
Renew Online
You can pay your Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Credential Maintenance online. Select your renewal/maintenance option in the shopping cart and please login to receive the applicable rate.
How to Earn Training Hours for Professional Standards
There are a number of resources at your disposal for earning CEUs.
Additional Training Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½±
- State agencies
- SNA state associations and chapters
- School districts (back-to-school workshops and trainings)
- Universities and colleges (including home study and correspondence courses)
- Industry and allied organizations
CEUs can also be earned by:
- Teaching a class (first time only): 1 CEU
- Publishing an article in a national journal/magazine: 1 CEU
College credit conversion
- 1-Credit Course = 15 hours
- 2-Credit Course = 30 hours
- 3-Credit Course = 45 hours
Host the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Exam
Exam Site Request Form and Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in hosting the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Exam! Please review the Exam Site Request Form and Guidelines. An Exam Site Request form must be submitted to SNA at least 60 days prior to the exam date. The information on this form will be used to notify candidates of the specific exam location and time.
Contact SNA’s Credentialing Staff at certsns@schoolnutrition.org for additional information or questions.
Pre-Approved ProctorsÌý
You will need to assign a Primary and Secondary Proctor from a list of prospects who meet the requirements to proctor the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø¿ª½± Credentialing Exam. Contact SNA’s Credentialing Staff at certsns@schoolnutrition.org to request a list of pre-approved proctors for your state.
Proctors must submit to SNA the Proctor Affidavit (included in the Exam Site Guidelines) at least 60 days prior to the exam date.