Training and Hiring Requirements

Directors, hired on or after July 1, 2015, are required to meet minimum education and work experience standards. Directors hired prior to July 1, 2015 are grandfathered in.

Review the School Nutrition Directors Hiring Standards

The USDA established minimum annual training requirements for school nutrition professionals who manage and operate the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

Training Resources & Tools:

• Key Areas and Learning Objective Codes
• CDE Professional Standards Training Tracker
• USDA Professional Standards Training Tracker 2.0

• USDA Guide to Professional Standards for School Nutrition Programs
• USDA Professional Standards Final Rule Summary

• Food Service Directors: 12 hours
• Managers: 10 hours
• Full-Time Staff (> 20 hours per week): 6 hours
• Part-Time Staff (< 20 hours per week): 4 hours

Training Tracker Tools are available from CDE and USDA.

Track Your Progress

• Visit USDA Professional Standards Training Database
• Visit School Nutrition Association Professional Standards Hub
• View CDE Professional Development Opportunities

Questions? Identify Your Program Point of Contact