Whether you’re serving up the state’s signature shrimp cocktail or operating a classic casino buffet, Nevada is a great place to be a restaurant owner. But before you open your doors for the first time, remember that your employees need the right food safety certifications.
According to state law, all Nevada restaurants and food establishments must have a person in charge of food safety on-site at all times with a valid food manager certification. Nevada restaurant workers can earn this certification by completing an approved food protection course and passing an exam.1
Learn more about the safe food handling certificate for restaurant managers in this guide, including information on the following topics:
- Who needs a food manager license in Nevada?
- How to get Nevada food safety manager certification
- Nevada food manager certificate verification
- Food manager certificate renewal requirements
- Nevada food manager certification reciprocity
- Insurance requirements for Nevada restaurants
Who needs a food manager license in Nevada?
Nearly every business in Nevada that serves food needs a certified food manager on the premises during all hours of operation. If you’re a sole proprietor, you will need to earn this food safety manager certification to comply with health regulations.
There are a few types of low-risk food businesses exempt from this food manager requirement:1
- Most convenience stores
- Establishments that heat only commercially processed foods for hot holding
- Establishments that prepare, serve or sell only prepackaged time/temperature-exempt foods
Food manager certification vs. food handler license
Other restaurant employees who handle food may need a food safety certificate in Nevada if they work in certain parts of the state.
There is no statewide food handler certification law in Nevada. However, all food handlers working in Clark County are under the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) jurisdiction and must have an official Food Handler Safety Training Card to work with food.2
Clark County employees must meet Nevada food handler license requirements, including all workers who handle, store, transport, prepare, serve or sell food. Servers, chefs, kitchen staff, bussers, bartenders, hosts and on-site event coordinators are all examples of food handlers.
Overseeing these certified food handlers is a “person in charge” with a Southern Nevada food safety manager certification. Although food handler cards are not mandatory in the rest of the state, food establishments across Nevada still require a certified food manager on the premises.
Certified food manager responsibilities include:
- Overseeing food preparation and handling
- Developing policies and procedures to prevent foodborne illness
- Identifying day-to-day operational health hazards
- Training and supervising food handlers to protect consumer health
- Conducting reviews to ensure food safety
Food managers and food handlers can help protect your business. Employing staff with the appropriate training in food preparation and handling techniques can significantly reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
How to get Nevada food safety manager certification
To earn a Nevada food manager certification, employees must complete an approved training program accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and pass an exam.3
Certified food safety manager courses and examinations cover various topics related to food handling, including:
- General food safety
- Personal hygiene and handwashing
- Contamination and cross-contamination
- Time and temperature requirements
- Cleaning and sanitation
Approved training courses include the ServSafe manager certification offered by the Nevada Restaurant Association, as well as other ANSI-accredited programs. You can find a list of approved food manager safety courses and exam providers on the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health website.
After receiving their certificate, food safety managers in Clark County must also obtain an official SNHD Certified Food Safety Manager Card.4
Nevada food protection manager certification fees
Nevada food manager courses and exams are available through several ANSI-accredited providers. Courses may take place online or in person.
With the required course, materials and proctored exam, getting a Nevada food manager license costs between $100 to $200. Nevada Restaurant Association members are eligible for a discount if they book a ServSafe manager course through the association.5
Clark County restaurant managers must pay an additional $20 fee to receive their official SNHD Certified Food Safety Manager Card.4
Restaurant owners are not required to pay food manager certifications for their employees. This certification is the employee's property, and they may use it at another food establishment if they change jobs.
How long does it take to get a food safety manager certification in Nevada?
The training portion of the Nevada food manager certification course must include at least eight hours of instruction. Then, participants need to pass an official ANSI food manager exam proctored by an approved instructor.1
After passing the exam, restaurant workers become certified food managers. Certificates may be issued immediately or sent by mail.
Nevada food manager certificate verification
After completing an approved training course and passing the exam, the food manager receives an official certificate. This certificate must be displayed in the food establishment or otherwise available to health inspectors upon request.1
If a food manager’s certification is lost or damaged, they may contact the examination provider for a replacement.
Food manager certificate renewal requirements
Nevada food manager certificates are valid for five years. Employees who need to renew their certification must complete a recertification course, pass the exam and post their new food manager license in the establishment.1
Nevada food manager certification reciprocity
Food manager training certificates from approved programs are valid statewide. Employees certified as food managers in other states may receive reciprocity for their certifications if issued by an ANSI-accredited organization and meet Nevada’s training standards.3
Insurance requirements for Nevada restaurants
With the right Nevada business insurance, you can help protect your restaurant or food establishment from daily risks. Many restaurant owners in the Silver State consider these insurance options:
General Liability insurance
General liability insurance can help provide financial protection if you’re held responsible for certain types of common accidents that cause property damage or a third-party injury.
Food service general liability insurance can also include specific restaurant protections, such as foodborne illness coverage. This type of insurance may help protect your business if a customer gets sick from food that is prepared incorrectly or contaminated.
Workers’ Compensation insurance
Nevada workers’ compensation insurance can help provide coverage for lost wages, medical expenses and other related costs if an employee gets injured on the job. Most private employers in Nevada are required to carry workers’ comp insurance for their employees.
Commercial Property insurance
Commercial property insurance can help protect your physical business assets, including commercial buildings, furniture, equipment and inventory. This insurance may help cover repairs or replacements after a covered event, such as a fire or water damage from a burst pipe.
Commercial Auto insurance
Commercial auto insurance can help provide important coverage for medical expenses and property damage if you or an employee is involved in an accident while driving a work vehicle.
All registered vehicles in Nevada must have minimum auto insurance coverage of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $20,000 for property damage.6
How NEXT supports Nevada restaurant owners
NEXT provides tailored Nevada restaurant insurance policies designed for small businesses and self-employed business owners.
It only takes about 10 minutes to get a quote, review your coverage options, choose your policies and download a certificate of insurance.
Our team of licensed insurance advisors is standing by to assist you if you have any questions along the way.
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Sources
1 DPBH Food Safety Training Notice
2 SNHD Food Handler Safety Training Card Program
3 DPBH Training and Education: Food Establishments
4 SNHD Certified Food Safety Manager Card
