Food Service Sanitation Certificates

food preparation

All food establishments shall employ and have present on the premises at all times that time/temperature control for safety food (TCS) is being prepared, held for service, or served, a Person In Charge (PIC) who holds a Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) food service sanitation certificate. The PIC on duty is responsible for overseeing the food handling and preparation process to prevent the occurrence of foodborne illness.

The PIC must demonstrate knowledge of foodborne disease prevention, application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles, and requirements of the CDPH Food Code Rules. The areas of knowledge include items such as required temperatures of TCS foods, proper handling of food and the sanitary maintenance of food establishments.

Every such original and valid CDPH food service sanitation certificate must be posted conspicuously in the retail food establishment to which the public can view.

How To Get A CDPH Foodservice Sanitation Manager Certificate

To obtain a CDPH Foodservice Sanitation Manager Certificate you must attend and pass an approved course.  A list of approved training providers is available at the following link:

If you have a valid American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification you may be able to apply for reciprocity to obtain the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Foodservice Sanitation certificate.

If you would like information on how to apply for reciprocity or to request a duplicate CDPH Foodservice Sanitation Manager Certificate click here.

Summer Festival Food Service Sanitation Certificate

A temporary food establishment that operates at a special event or summer festival must obtain a special event food license in accordance with the applicable City of Chicago Municipal Code and Rules.

A temporary food establishment shall have a Person In Charge (PIC) onsite at the temporary food establishment during all times that food is being prepared, held for service, or served. The PIC shall have an original and valid Summer Festival Food Vendor Sanitation Certificate (SFFVSC). Each booth or vendor shall have a PIC with a SFFVSC. All food related operations shall cease when there is no PIC with an original and valid SFFVSC.

Upon request by any authorized city official such as the Sanitarian (health inspector), the PIC shall make such certificate immediately available for inspection by such authorized city official.

How To Get A CDPH Summer Festival Food Vendor Sanitation Certificate

To obtain a SFFVSC you must attend an approved CDPH training course. The SFFVSC is issued in collaboration with third party providers. SFFVSC must be obtained yearly and expires March 31st of the following year. A list of approved training providers is available at the following link:

What Certificate Do I need?

  • A Mobile Prepared Food Vehicle at a special event does not need a SFFVC but must have valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate.
  • No SFFVC or City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate is required for a person operating a Mobile Food Dispenser vehicle with only prepackaged food.
  • No SFFVC or City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate is required for a person operating a booth with only prepackaged, non-time/temperature for control for safety foods (non-TCS).
  • Booth or vendors that provide samples of food may be required to obtain a SFFVSC.
  • CDPH may require an event organizer to obtain a SFFVC.

For more information, contact the Food Protection Program at: