Alaska CHARR - Education

Alaska CHARR's Education Department offers the most comprehensive alcohol server and food safety training programs in Alaska. We have a network of twenty instructors across the state to provide the best reach and training possible.

Alaska CHARR introduced the Techniques of Alcohol Management (TAM) program to Alaska in 1984 and has remained the number one alcohol server training program ever since.

With the new upcoming statewide DEC regulations mandating foodservice operations have a certified Food Protection Manager on staff; Alaska CHARR has been hard at work extending our ServSafe training network to help you meet these requirements. We offer a variety of training, from the "4 Hour" Limited Foodservice class, needed by places like bars and espresso stands, to the full Food Protection Certification course.

As the State Partner of the National Restaurant Association, Alaska CHARR is also able to offer the lowest prices on food safety retail materials. Call the Alaska CHARR Office and speak to our Education Director Michele Leffel at 907-274-8133 (800-478-2427 toll-free in Alaska) to find out how you can start saving today!

Remember - Alaska CHARR Members always receive the best prices and discounts!

What is TAM®?

Techniques of Alcohol Management is a course that teaches responsible serving techniques, clinical effects of alcohol, how to handle disruptive customers, how to check ID's, and State and local laws. Alcohol Server Training is required by the state of Alaska for all those involved in the sale of alcohol.

TAM® Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the class last?
Approximately 4 hours

Is there a grace period on getting my card?
Yes. 30 days unless you are working in Anchorage, in which case there is no grace period. You may not, however, let it expire and still work.

Is there a test?
Yes there is a test at the end of the class and you must pass.

Is there a shorter class for renewals?
The law allows those who have previously attended a TAM® class to renew their certification by passing the exam. The renewal needs to be done within 6 months of the card expiring.

Who is required to take the class?
Anyone involved in the sale of alcohol in any way, including servers, bartenders, security, managers, owners and retail clerks.

Is my card from another state good in Alaska?
No, server training is state specific as state laws vary a great deal.

Do I have to wait to receive my certification card?
No. Unlike other alcohol certification classes, your TAM® card is issued immediately upon successfully completing the certification exam.

What is ServSafe®?

The ServSafe program is the most widely recognized food safety certification in the nation. The ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Program has been deemed valid, reliable, and legally defensible, as well as transferable between jurisdictions.

Food safety training is a commitment, a mindset and a smart business practice for every restaurant and foodservice operation in our industry. Food safety training doesn't end once a manager earns certification. That's where it begins - by implementing food safety practices on a daily basis and training staff in the food safety practices learned in the ServSafe program. The ServSafe program provides the resources to help keep food safety as an essential ingredient in every meal. ServSafe training is the one commitment to food safety implementation that we should all share every day.

Alaska CHARR provides this valuable training for both the Limited Food Protection Manager Certification (4-hour class) and the Food Protection Manager Certification (8-hour class).

ServSafe® Frequently Asked Questions

Who is required to have the Food Protection Manager Certification?
Currently the Anchorage municipal food code requires that an establishment that cooks and prepares food must have a Food Protection Manager on staff. The Food Protection Manager is the person in charge of the day to day activities. The DEC has introduced a new food code for the state of Alaska that will require the certification. As of yet that food code is not in affect.

How long is the certification good for?
Three years.

How long does the class last?
The class is approximately 8 hours long with an hour lunch break.

How many questions are on the exam?
The exam contains 90 multiple choice questions with a passing rate of 75%.

Is the exam open book?
ServSafe instructors are required to follow strict exam security procedures. The book may not be used when taking the exam.

When will I know if I passed?
The exams are secured and sent via UPS to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation to be graded. It then takes about 12 days to receive the results. In the mean time CHARR will provide proof of course completion to the state or municipal health department

Do I have to attend the class or can I just take the exam?
For those who have previously attended the class, the exam is available in the CHARR office by appointment. The exam is taken on line and administered by one of our proctors. Instant results are obtained from the on line exam. The ServSafe Essentials 4th Edition text book will be provided for study and review.

Who is required to have the Limited Food Protection Manager Certification?
Currently the Anchorage municipal food code requires operators who serve ready to eat foods such as hot dogs and muffins, espresso stands and bars to have this certification. The person in charge of the day to day operation needs the certification. The new food code the DEC is introducing will require that food handlers obtain their Food Worker certification.

How do I obtain the certification?
Certification is done on a test challenge basis at the CHARR office Monday through Friday 10:00am to 2:00pm. The book is included in the fee and should be studied prior to taking the test. In house food safety training is provided for groups of 10 or more.

Food Worker Card

Food Woker Card Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs the Food Worker Card?
According to the DEC: "Anyone who handles food for the public." This list includes servers, bartenders, bussers, cooks, prep-cooks, dishwashers, meat cutters, deli workers, and licensed daycare food workers. "Anyone who works with unpackaged food or food contact surfaces" is required to have a card. If you are unsure whether or not you or your employees need this card, call the Food Safety and Sanitation Program Office at 1-800-233-3663

I live in the Municipality of Anchorage. Do I still need to get the Food Worker Card?
The Municipality of Anchorage has its own food code. The food worker card is not required for workers in the municipality at this time.

I did the ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager training. Do I need to get this card too?
No. The CFPM on staff will be the person expected to ensure compliance with the food worker card requirement and to maintain those records. They do not have to do the training. However it wouldn't hurt for them to familiarize themselves with the training program.

How much does it cost?
It is FREE until June 30th. As of July 1, 2007 the fee for this card will be $10. (Hint: When you go online to do the training, if you sign up under "group" you can get multiple test IDs that are good for up to one year.)

How do I get this card?
There are 2 ways to get this training:

1) Self study & take the test online. The web address for this is http://alaska.state.gegov.com/foodworker/

2) Order testing supplies from the DEC to take a written exam or to conduct in house training. Supplies can be ordered from Jeannie Carter at the DEC. Jeannie can be reached at 269-2008 and 1-87-safe-food.

* The local Environmental Health Officers may also be conducting training in your area. For more information call Jeannie Carter of the DEC at 269-2008 or 1-87-SAFE-FOOD (1-877-233-3663) or contact your local EHO. (see the list below)

What does the training consist of?
The online training is available in multiple languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Vietnamese, Mandarin and Cantonese. It consists of five sections that have short videos and practice questions. The topics are: Employee Food Knowledge, Cross-Contamination, Dishwashing, Temperature and Safe Source. If you watch all the video sections and do the practice questions before taking the exam, the whole process will take about an hour.

When do I need to make sure everyone has their card?
Environmental Health Officers will be checking for full compliance beginning in 2008. This means that all food workers should have a valid food worker card within 30 (thirty) days of being hired.

REQUIREMENT	Municipality of Anchorage	Everywhere else in Alaska
Certified Food Protection Manager (Has passed the ServSafe CFPM exam)	1 for each establishment Certificate valid for 3 years	1 for each establishment Certificate valid for 5 years
Person in Charge (Person in charge is an employee who has knowledge equivalent to that of CFPM)	not required	Either CFPM (above) OR person in charge for every shift.
Limited (4hr) ServSafe food handler (Currently valid ONLY in the Municipality of Anchorage)	Bars, Coffee Shops, places that only handle pre-prepared food Certificate valid for 3 years	not applicable
DEC food handlers card Available online through DEC web site or alaska.state.gegov.com/ foodworker/ For more info call 1-87-SAFE-FOOD	not required	Any employee who handles food: baristas, bartenders, cooks, servers, bussers, dishwashers Certificate valid for 3 years
TAM Card	Anyone who servers or sells alcohol; must have current TAM card PRIOR to starting work. Card valid for 3 years	Anyone who sells or serves alcohol; must have within 30 days of employment. Card valid for 3 years