Training and Credentialing

The RLTS (for human and animal food) established consistent, high-quality training standards for food safety professionals across federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) agencies. RLTS supports the Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS) by ensuring that regulators and laboratorians have the skills needed to protect public Health.

Vision

RLTS is built collaboratively with IFSS partners and guided by modern instructional design, adult learning theory, and emerging technology.

It aims to:

• Establish National Curriculum Standards (NCS) for consistency across training.
• Keep training current and responsive to evolving food safety needs.
• Expand accessibility and sustainability of training resources.
• Share responsibility among FDA, SLTT agencies, associations, academia, and industry.

Key Actions

Develop NCS in partnership with:

• Association of Food and Drug Officials
• National Environmental Health Association
• Association of Public Health Laboratories
• Association of American Feed Control Officials
• International Food Protection Training Institute

Establish an RLTS governance structure:

• Steering Committee
• National Coordination Center
• Advisory Committees

FDA’s Role

The FDA’s Office of Training, Education, and Development (OTED) will:

• Continue to design and deliver regulatory training.
• Serve as an active member of the RLTS Steering Committee
• Expand the Train-the-Trainer Program to strengthen training capacity nationwide

Why RLTS Matters

RLTS is the foundation for a united, modern, and sustainable food safety training system, ensuring that all regulatory and laboratory professionals receive consistent, effective training to protect public health.

The Training and Credentialing workgroup’s goal is to help develop standard curricula and certification programs that will promote consistency and competency among the IFSS workforce.

In partnership with FDA’s Office of Training Education and Development (OTED) and the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI), this workgroup is developing a National Curriculum Standard (NCS) for regulatory enforcement professionals. Multiple frameworks have been created representing retail and manufactured food, animal food, and laboratory competencies needed by regulatory professionals to fulfill the duties and tasks of their job. Establishing a NCS gets us one step closer to a competent workforce doing comparable work across all strategic partners.