The MRA offers opportunities for training your staff on serving safe food, enticing high school students into the foodservice industry, and offering your expertise as a mentor.

ServSafe Training & Certification
Although statewide certification is not mandated in Michigan’s New Food Law of 2000, everyone is encouraged to enhance their knowledge through educational programs approved by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

Of those approved by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) the MRA primarily promotes ServSafe training products. For home-study, individuals may use the course book. To receive certification, students may register for a class or sign up to take the exam at a proctored site. Students with a 75% or higher score will become certified. MRA members receive a substantial discount on ServSafe training products ordered through our office.

What is a proctored exam?
The National Restaurant Association has a process for approving instructors. An approved instructor may teach a class or offer a time when individuals may sit for the exam. When you select to sit for the exam only, you are taking a proctored exam.

How do you become an NRA approved instructor?
You must have a high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., GED) and achieved a 90% or above within the past three (3) years on the ServSafe test. In addition, you must meet at least ONE of the following requirements: be a Registered Sanitarian or equivalent; be an instructor employed in a hospitality, culinary or equivalent program at an accredited post secondary degree, certificate or diploma-granted school; be a corporate trainer employed in a foodservice operation; be employed as an independent food safety instructor/consultant; be designated as a trainer for a state restaurant association; be a health inspector, or equivalent, employed by a state or local health department; or have taken a ServSafe Train-the-Trainer course within the last three years. Once you have met these requirements you may submit your ServSafe Instructor Application form to the NRA for approval. The MRA offers both Train-the-Trainer and Proctored Exams on a regular basis. Both classes will be offered on:
Monday, February 5, 2001
Monday, March 12, 2001

You can sign up for either of these classes by calling the MRA Office at 800/968-9668.

What is School-to-Career?
The MRA has a School-to-Career Program. School-to-Career (STC) initiatives prepare students for the adult working world, offering them on-the-job experiences before they graduate.

The Curriculum – The National Restaurant Association developed a curriculum called ProStart. ProStart is a two-year industry-based curriculum that prepares students for careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. Students gain valuable restaurant and foodservice skills through their academic and mentored workplace experiences.