For anyone delivering or relying on accredited food handler training, there are significant updates you need to know.
ANAB (the ANSI National Accreditation Board) has announced important changes to how food handler certificate programs are accredited and renewed. These changes affect not only the branding of accredited certificates but also the underlying standards, application process, and renewal timeline.
Here’s a clear look at what’s changing—and what it means for training providers, employers, and the wider hospitality industry.
✅ From ANSI to ANAB: Branding Matters
Until recently, many training providers referred to their approval as “ANSI Accredited.” But as part of a multi-year reorganization, all ANSI accreditation services for training programs have been consolidated under ANAB.
That means:
- Providers must switch to using the ANAB logo and language.
- The “ANSI Accredited” phrase is being phased out by 2025.
- Marketing materials, certificates, websites, and student communications must be updated to avoid misrepresentation.
This branding change reflects ANAB’s position as the single unified accrediting body and helps ensure consistent recognition across states and industries.
✅ New Standard: ANSI/ASTM E2659‑24
The most important technical change is the update from ANSI/ASTM E2659‑18 to the new E2659‑24 standard for certificate programs.
Published in February 2025, E2659‑24 modernizes accreditation requirements to address emerging challenges in online learning, assessment technology, accessibility, and quality assurance.
Providers will need to transition their programs to this new standard to maintain accreditation.
✅ Transition Timeline
ANAB has published clear guidance for how programs must migrate:
| Key Dates | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Through June 15, 2025 | Programs may still apply under E2659‑18. |
| By June 15, 2025 | ANAB will begin accepting E2659‑24 applications. |
| Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2026 | Accredited programs must show compliance with E2659‑24 at surveillance/reaccreditation. |
| After Jan 1, 2026 | Only E2659‑24 applications will be accepted. |
This timeline gives current providers time to review the new standard, adjust their policies and procedures, and ensure full compliance before deadlines.
✅ What’s New in ANSI/ASTM E2659‑24?
E2659‑24 is a much more robust and detailed standard than its predecessor. Let’s break down the key new requirements:
🔒 Exam Security Protocols
The new standard introduces far stricter requirements for exam security. Providers must now:
- Develop written security policies covering storage, delivery, and destruction of exam materials.
- Use methods to prevent cheating, such as secure browsers, ID verification, and trained proctors—including for remote or online testing.
- Create incident response plans for security breaches.
- Conduct regular reviews of security effectiveness.
With online training booming, these requirements help maintain the credibility of accredited certificates by protecting exam integrity.
🤖 Use of AI in Assessments
Recognizing the growing role of technology, E2659‑24 specifically addresses AI and automated tools in assessments:
- Providers must disclose how AI is used in delivery, scoring, or learner support.
- AI systems must be shown to be valid, reliable, and unbiased, avoiding discrimination against any group.
- Human oversight is required in AI-based scoring decisions.
- Providers must keep detailed documentation on AI algorithms, training data, and validation processes.
This ensures fairness, transparency, and accountability as AI becomes more common in education.
♿ Learner Accommodations
Accessibility is another major focus area in E2659‑24. The new standard demands:
- Written policies for requesting and granting accommodations.
- Prompt, confidential, and fair handling of requests.
- Accessible formats for learning materials and exams (e.g., screen reader compatibility, alternative formats).
- Staff training on accessibility and legal obligations such as ADA compliance.
These changes ensure that all learners have equitable access to accredited training, regardless of physical or cognitive differences.
⚖️ Assessor Impartiality
To safeguard the integrity of assessments, E2659‑24 includes stronger requirements around impartiality:
- Programs must define and document potential conflicts of interest for assessors and instructors.
- Policies must exist to prevent or mitigate conflicts, including reassigning assessors if needed.
- Assessors must receive training on impartiality and ethics.
- Providers must maintain audit trails showing impartiality is enforced.
This ensures assessments are consistent and unbiased for all learners.
🔄 Ongoing Program Evaluation
Finally, E2659‑24 raises the bar for continuous improvement. Providers must:
- Perform regular reviews of curriculum, assessments, outcomes, and learner feedback.
- Analyze data such as completion rates, pass rates, and satisfaction scores.
- Maintain documented quality improvement plans with clear timelines and responsibilities.
- Include stakeholder input (e.g., employers, industry experts) in evaluation efforts.
These requirements ensure that accredited programs stay current, effective, and aligned with industry needs.
✅ What This Means for Providers
If you deliver an ANAB-accredited food handler program, here’s what you should do now:
- Review the E2659‑24 standard in full.
- Update exam security procedures to meet new requirements.
- Audit your use of AI in assessments to ensure transparency and fairness.
- Develop clear learner accommodation policies.
- Train staff on assessor impartiality and ethical conduct.
- Set up systems for ongoing program evaluation and improvement.
- Update all materials to reflect ANAB branding.
✅ Why It Matters to the Hospitality Industry
Accreditation isn’t just a bureaucratic requirement. It’s what ensures food handler training is effective, credible, and trusted by health departments, employers, and customers.
By meeting these new standards, training providers help ensure that:
- Learners get high-quality, secure, accessible training.
- Employers can trust certificates as evidence of safe food handling knowledge.
- The entire industry maintains public confidence in food safety education.
✅ Learn More
For further details on these changes and official guidance:
- ANAB Certificate Accreditation Program
- ANSI/ASTM E2659‑24 Transition Plan Announcement
- Food Handler Certificate Accreditation Overview
At NAHCT, our mission is to keep hospitality trainers, employers, and workers informed and prepared.
We’ll continue monitoring these accreditation changes and sharing guidance to help you stay compliant, deliver quality training, and support the highest standards of hospitality.
Stay tuned for more updates, and feel free to reach out to us with questions or suggestions for future topics!
The information presented in this blog was prepared by the National Association of Hospitality Compliance Trainers (NAHCT) as a summary to assist training providers in staying informed about compliance updates. While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, NAHCT is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or misinterpretations. Each training provider is responsible for reviewing the official statutes, regulations, and guidance from the appropriate regulatory authority to ensure their curriculum is accurate and compliant.
