A food-safety professional who is certified as a specialist in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) can audit systems and assess their effectiveness. HACCP certification is available in the United States and can be obtained in the fields of dairy, food service, juice, and seafood. To obtain HACCP certification, you must first prepare for the American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified HACCP Auditor Exam, or CHA Exam; then select a date and take the exam; and finally, apply for certification.
Several factors should be considered when deciding whether or not to pursue HACCP certification, including at least five years of work experience in food-related safety management. The ASQ has established a five-year requirement. Work experience can include assisting with the launch of a HACCP project, evaluating product safety objectives, and reviewing a HACCP plan that has been implemented.
To obtain HACCP certification, you must prepare for the CHA Exam, and several organizations, including the ASQ, offer courses that cover what will be covered on the exam. The seven principles involved in HACCP implementation should be covered in the courses. They should also adhere to the current Food Code’s regulatory requirements from the US Food and Drug Administration.
You must choose a date and register with the ASQ once you are ready to take the HACCP certification exam. The CHA Exam is given several times a year at conferences or ASQ sectors (local ASQ chapters). During the exam, which has over 100 questions and can take several hours to complete, ASQ allows test takers to use their own reference materials and calculators.
If you pass the CHA Exam, you must complete the following two steps to obtain HACCP certification: join the ASQ and pay the membership fees, then apply for the certification and pay the filing fees. After you’ve completed all of the paperwork and paid the fee, you’ll be able to get your HACCP certification. This qualifies you to work as a HACCP auditor in a variety of food-related environments.
Passing the exam and receiving official recognition are only the first steps toward HACCP certification. Certified HACCP auditors must recertify every three years, according to the ASQ. This means that certified auditors must earn a certain number of credits teaching, taking a course, or attending meetings. HACCP auditors can file re-certification paperwork and pay the required fees after earning these credits, and their certification will be extended for another three years.