To become a Certified Food Inspector (CFI) for the State of Connecticut, an individual must do the following:
1. A request signed by the Director of Health (DOH) for the Local Health Department/District the candidate wants to work for.
-
This includes certification by the DOH that the candidate is not prohibited from employment for the following reasons:
-
The candidate, immediate family, or a business associated with the candidate has:
-
financial ownership or interest in a food establishment within the candidate’s chosen jurisdiction
-
engages in any business, employment, or management of a food establishment located in candidate’s chosen jurisdiction
-
owns the property on which a food establishment is located in candidate’s chosen jurisdiction
-
-
2. Documentation of education in the following areas:
-
Proof of earning a bachelor’s degree OR documentation of 3+ years of regulatory experience
3. Documentation of completed pre- and post- coursework as prescribed by FDA. (FDA Pre & Post Coursework)
4. Documentation of completed field training.
-
Field training consists of (at minimum): 25 shadow inspections with other CFIs, 10 Candidate-led inspections with a Field Inspection Training Officer (FITO), and review of lead inspections by the Food Protection program (FPP). Additional training may be required if the lead inspections do not demonstrate competence.
5. After successful demonstration of the required skills during lead inspections, FPP shall authorize the candidate to perform (at least) 5 field standardization inspections. These shall be submitted for a final review by FPP. FPP will determine candidate is ready for certification as a CFI.
*Additional information and/or paperwork may be required.
**Candidates from other tribal, state, or federal agencies should contact the FPP to discuss alternatives to the certification process.
Certified Food Inspectors
Once a candidate is approved by the FPP and issued a certificate by the commissioner, they become a certified food inspector (CFI). CFIs must recertify every three years. In order to recertify, CFIs are expected to do the following:
-
Complete 20 additional contact hours every three years. Contact hour content must be previously approved by FPP, submitted, and reviewed before the recertification date. Retail Courses Approved List UPDATED 121725
-
Complete a reassessment with a Food Inspection Training Officer.