Big News from SNA! High school diploma/GED no longer required for Level 1 Effective May 28, 2014, SNA’s Governing Council (that oversees the certificate and credentialing programs) has approved the removal of the high school diploma/GED requirement for Level 1, but remain a requirement for Level 2 and above. Why change this requirement now? While SNA and the Governing Council encourage all school nutrition professionals to advance their education and professional development, SNA’s Certificate Program in School Nutrition will now support proposed USDA professional standards that do not have a high school diploma/GED requirement. Additionally, since July 2012, when the high school diploma/GED requirement went into effect, SNA has received consistent feedback from members that many well qualified staff do a great job but do not have a high school diploma/GED. Additionally, many of these employees do not have access to old records, especially those from other countries, who represent an important portion of front line employees. This makes for a difficult predicament for those high performing employees who cannot earn a Level 1 certificate due to the high school diploma/GED requirement. What does this mean for members who want to earn a SNA certificate? While SNA still encourages all members to advance their education, if school nutrition professionals do not have a high school diploma/GED but meet all other requirements for SNA Level 1, they should apply for Level 1. Please note that Level 2 and above requires a high school diploma/GED requirement. What if I applied for Level 1 and was denied. What do I do? SNA will automatically update the Level 1 record for those who were denied beginning September 1, 2013. Your Level 1 date will be based upon your application submission date. SNA will mail you your Level 1 verification letter. SNA will also send your renewal form when it is time to renew your Level 1. However, anyone who was denied Level 1 prior September 1, 2013 will need to re‐apply. So go ahead and take the next step in your professional development ‐ visit www.schoolnutrition.org/certificate and take your career to the next level! If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].