School Nutrition Specialist (SNS)

Congratulations on taking thisimportant careerstep to earn the School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) Credential! The School Nutrition Association (SNA) established the SNS Credentialing Program in 1997 to: • Enhance the professional image ofschool nutrition professionals; • Establish a foundation for professional standards; • Enhance individual performance; and • Recognize achievement among school nutrition professionals. The SNS Credential is a mark of excellence and achievement that reflects what it takes to manage school nutrition programs in today’s challenging climate. The SNS credentialing exam evaluates candidates’ knowledge and skills required to perform specific job activities related to managing or directing school nutrition programs. It is important to note that the test is set from a national perspective, both in terms of running a program and federal regulations (rather than state specific regulations). The SNS exam is based on four (4) key areas, aligned with USDA professional standards that encompass nine (9) knowledge/content areas and competencies. SNA released a new School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) exam in July 2019 which had some minor content area modifications. With the increased focus on procurement in school nutrition, Content Area IV: Procurement and Inventory Management has been split and renamed Content Area IV: Procurement Management. This content area is now entirely dedicated to procurement-related competencies and accounts for 5.5% of the overall exam. The inventory-related competencies have been redistributed to other content areas, mainly Content Area III. To reflect this change, Content Area III is now named Food Production, Inventory, and Operation Management. Please note that overall, the test competencies have not changed; they have been redistributedto better reflect the current responsibilities of school nutrition professionals. The content area weightings have also not changed. The SNS exam includes one hundred and seventy (170) multiple choice questions of which only one hundred and sixty (160) questions will be scored. The remaining ten (10) questions will not be scored and are being pre-tested for future examinations. The pre-test items will be randomly dispersed throughout the exam, so candidates should plan on answering all questions. This is a standard industry process and best practice approved by the Certificate and Credentialing Governing Council. Candidates have three (3) hours to complete the exam. An independent testing company oversees the electronic grading of the SNS exam.