USDA Professional Standards Hub

Learn more about Professional Standards with SNA's USDA Professional Standards Hub

On July 1, 2015, the USDA released Professional Standards for school foodservice directors, managers, school nutrition staff and state agency directors. SNA has created the following resources to assist you with understanding the new requirements.

It is important to note that due to the implementation of Professional Standards, trainings that have been accepted as CEUs in the past may no longer meet the requirements and will no longer be accepted. Please review the valuable resources below to help you meet your requirements.

The lock indicates SNA member-only resources. If you’re not a member we encourage you to join, click here to learn more.

	NEWS: Professional Standards Check this link for updates and news concerning Professional Standards requirements and resources.

	SNA Developed Professional Standards Online Training Tracking Tool This tool provides an easy way for you to track your training in an Excel spreadsheet and features dropdown menus for both Key Areas and Key Topics.

	Professional Standards Training Guidelines Recommended guidelines to help SNA members and SNA state affiliates approach training for USDA professional standards and code training according to USDA Professional Standards Codes.


	Professional Standards Summaries These simple summaries highlight the hiring requirements for School Nutrition and State Agency Directors and the continuing education/training for all school nutrition personnel.

	SNA’s Training Needs Assessment Released SNA, in collaboration with four state agency partners, conducted a comprehensive online assessment to identify the top training needs of school nutrition professionals at the director, manager and employee levels. Respondents from 49 states and various district sizes provided insights into the training topics they and their staff seek most.

	USDA Professional Standards FAQs Your questions about continuing education, hiring and funding answered.

	Learning Topics Grid This user-friendly grid will help you to code and identify training topics in the four Key Areas of Nutrition, Operations, Administration and Communications/Marketing.

	Certificate Program SNAs Certificate Program is based on the standards of practice in the four key areas of the Keys to Excellence Program and is aligned with USDA Professional Standards.

	How to Earn Professional Standards Training Hours Click on this link to view a list of CEU/training hour resources. This page provides you with information and direct links to online training.

	Training 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 documents and utilize the principles described as a basis for your training.

	Exhibit Hall Participation Hours as Approved by State Agencies At the discretion of the state agency, no more than 2 hours of exhibit/food show time may count toward Professional Standards annual training. This chart notes the training hours approved by each state agency. If a determination has not yet been communicated by the state agency to SNA, the chart has been left blank.