Why Certification | National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®)

NHSBBQA® Certification Overview for students

Last Updated: 12-17-2025

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• Why we required Food Handlers Certification

  Your First Step in Food, Fire, and Life Skills

  If you’re cooking, serving, or selling food as part of a school class, team, or club, Food Handlers Certification is where you start.

  Through the National High School BBQ Association (NHSBBQA®), students earn an official Food Handlers Certification in partnership with eFoodHandlers — for just $7.00.

  This certification teaches you how to cook safely, responsibly, and professionally — skills you’ll use for the rest of your life.

  Why Do Students Need Food Handlers Certification?

  Because food safety matters — everywhere.

  Whether you’re:

  • On a BBQ team

  • In Culinary Arts or FCS

  • In Agriculture or STEM

  • Helping with a fundraiser

  • Serving food at an event

  You need to know how to keep people safe.

  Food Handlers Certification helps you learn:

  • How to prevent foodborne illness

  • How to handle food the right way

  • How to protect yourself and others

  • How professionals work in real kitchens

  This isn’t just for school — it’s real-world knowledge.

  A Required Certification (And a Smart One)

  At NHSBBQA®, all students who cook, prepare, serve, or sell food are required to have Food Handlers Certification.

  That’s because:

  • Schools expect it

  • Events require it

  • Employers value it

  • Safety depends on it

  Think of it like a driver’s license for food — you learn the rules before you get behind the wheel.

  Perfect for Middle School & First-Time Students

  Food Handlers Certification is designed to be:

  • ✅ Easy to understand

  • ✅ Age-appropriate

  • ✅ Online and self-paced

  • ✅ Great for middle school students

  You don’t need experience — just a willingness to learn.

  It’s often the first certification students earn on their journey through:

  • Middle School → High School

  • Class → Competition

  • Learning → Careers

  What You’ll Learn

  In the course, you’ll learn:

  • Personal hygiene & handwashing

  • Safe temperatures for food

  • Avoiding cross-contamination

  • Cleaning and sanitation basics

  • How to spot food safety risks

  These are the same basics used by:

  • Restaurants

  • Catering teams

  • Food trucks

  • Competition teams

  • Community kitchens

  About eFoodHandlers®

  Your certification is provided through eFoodHandlers®, a nationally recognized food safety training provider.

  Their certification is:

  • Accepted nationwide

  • Used by schools and employers

  • Trusted across the food industry

  • Easy to complete online

  This means your certification is real, portable, and respected.

  Food, Fire, and Emergency Readiness

  At NHSBBQA®, we believe every student should have training in:

  • ️ Food safety

  • Fire awareness

  • Emergency readiness

  When possible, we believe students should earn certifications, not just experience.

  Food Handlers Certification is the first building block in becoming a confident, capable, and responsible leader in the kitchen and beyond.

  What You Get When You’re Certified

  When you complete Food Handlers Certification, you earn:

  • ✔ An official Food Handlers Certificate

  • ✔ Eligibility to participate on NHSBBQA® teams

  • ✔ A credential you can use for school, work, and service

  • ✔ A foundation for future certifications and badges

  It’s something you can be proud of.

  How to Get Started

  1. Enroll through NHSBBQA®

  2. Complete the online course

  3. Pass the assessment

  4. Receive your certification

  That’s it.

  Ready to Start?

  • [Start Food Handlers Certification]

  • [Student Certification Pathways]

  • [What Is NHSBBQA®?]

  Food Handlers Certification helps students learn how to cook safely, responsibly, and professionally.