Inspection & Mission Training
Training Calendar
View the full upcoming course calendar published by the Center for Learning.
Inspection Methods 1800 Series
Course Description: This comprehensive course equips inspection personnel with the regulatory knowledge, technical skills, and professional judgment required to ensure the safety and wholesomeness of meat, poultry, and egg products in the United States.
Key Topics Include:
- Food safety laws and regulations
- Sanitation regulations and verification
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) regulations and verification
- Sampling and testing of amenable products
- Humane handling of animals
- Ready-To-Eat (RTE) processes and inspections
- Labeling requirements and preventing misbranding
- Intro of FSIS’s Public Health Information System (PHIS)
Target Audience: This is a Training as a Condition of Employment (TCOE) course. This class is for new or recently promoted Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSIs) and Public Health Veterinarians (PHVs). State inspectors performing FSIS/CSI inspection duties are also required to complete this course.
Course Logistics:
- 13 days, offered both in-person and online
- FSIS or government issued computers, with stable internet connection is required.
Public Health Veterinarian (PHV) Training Course 1100 Series
Course Description: FSIS has tailored a training program to prepare the Public Health Veterinarian (PHV) to work as part of an in-plant team in establishments that slaughter different animal species and process different types of food products. The training - Entry Training for PHV - is a nine week program which is focused on FSIS' mission of improving and protecting public health. The three weeks classroom curriculum is designed to cover three main categories: FSIS as a public health regulatory agency, animal dispositions/food safety, and FSIS administrative overview.
This class is designed and based on FSIS Policy Issuances: FSIS Directive 6100.1 and FSIS Directive 6900.2.
Target Audience: This is a Training as a Condition of Employment (TCOE) course. All newly hired FSIS in-plant and State inspection program veterinarians who are assigned to slaughter and processing establishments.
Course Logistics: This course will be instructor-led conducted using a computer and through webinars. You will need an FSIS issued computer and a phone line.
PHV Mentor Training Requirement: Three weeks spent in the plant environment with an assigned mentor.
Enforcement Investigations Analysis Officer (EIAO) Training 6000 Series
Course Description: The EIAO course is an instructor-led webinar that covers the essential EIAO responsibilities. The FSIS Enforcement Investigations and Analysis Officer (EIAO) conducts comprehensive food safety assessments (FSA) at establishments in which they consider all food safety aspects that relate to that establishment and its products. The course covers all food safety facets related to establishment processes, including food microbiology, design of food safety systems, statues, rules of practice, EIAO work methods, evaluating establishment HACCP systems, statistical process control, sampling, and testing methods, and writing enforcement letters and documentation. The EIAO course primarily focuses on the design and validity of the hazard analysis, HACCP plan; Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (Sanitation SOPs), pre-requisite programs, testing program procedures; and any other programs that constitute the establishment's food safety system.
This class is designed and based on FSIS Policy Issuances: FSIS Directive 5100.1, FSIS Directive 8080.1, FSIS Directive 10,300.1, FSIS Directive 10,240.5, FSIS Directive 10,250,1.
Target Audience: This is a Training as a Condition of Employment (TCOE) course. This course is designed to prepare the newly selected EIAO to perform food safety assessments. Individuals promoted/hired into EIAO position, State employees with enforcement responsibility.
Course Logistics: Participants will complete preliminary independent work. Participants will need a computer for webinar and training site connection, and internet access.
On-the-Job Training Requirement: The objective of the OJT Checklist is to verify that the IM participant practiced navigating through PHIS pages, tabs, tasks entries and applied what they learned during training. Participants must complete within 3 weeks of completing the virtual course in order to achieve successful completion.
Electronic Export Course 9000 Series
Course Description: The PHIS Electronic Export Certification Course is an independent self-paced online training. Participants may access the course via AgLearn at their convenience but should complete it before the end of the fiscal year. Participants should allow approximately 6 hours total (during duty hours) to review the material, but do not have to complete the training in a single day or session.
This training focuses on how to perform the export certification functions in PHIS as outlined in FSIS Directive 13,000.5. It covers how to perform the Export Certification task, including both Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) and Public Health Veterinarian (PHV) roles. It also covers how to use the module to approve or reject export applications, issue replacement certificates, and sign the export certificate. In addition, a review of how to process the FSIS Form 9080-3 (Establishment Application for Export) in PHIS is covered. Participants will be able to download, save, or print resources that are included within the course.
Target Audience: Consumer Safety Inspectors, Public Health Veterinarians, or other OFO personnel whose assignments require them to certify exports using the PHIS module.
Course Logistics: Participants do not need to register for the course through Center for Learning (CFL). Simply log in to AgLearn, go to “Learn” > “Find Learning” (top of the page), and enter “PHIS Export” as your search term. Once you click to start the course, you will be routed to the FSIS Training Site (learning management platform)—please ignore the red “Log in” button in the upper right corner!
Once you have reviewed all the training material, simply close the course window to return to the course page in AgLearn and verify that there is a checkmark next to the course name. Next, complete the 10-question quiz. Once the quiz is complete, you will receive AgLearn credit for the training.
OJT Training: There is no On-the-Job Training requirement for this course.
Ready-To-Eat/Shelf Stable Training Series 1900
Course Description: This independent self-paced online course is provided for enrolled participants to complete within a specified 2-week training period. The course focus is on topics including RTE and shelf stable processes, hazards, controls and preventative measures, inspection verification for Listeria monocytogenes regulations, and RTE sampling tasks. The participants are required to complete this training during their regular scheduled duty hours before the 2-week deadline.
This class is designed and based on FSIS Directive 5000.1, FSIS Directive 7230.1, FSIS Directive 5300.1 and FSIS Directive 10,240.4.
Target Audience: Consumer Safety Inspectors who have been assigned to establishments which produce ready-to-eat or shelf stable products.
Course Logistics: FSIS issued computer will be needed. Students will access course documents through the FSIS Training Site, after being enrolled in the course.
OJT Training: The objective of the OJT Checklist is to verify that the IM participant practiced navigating through PHIS pages, tabs, tasks entries and applied what they learned during training. Participants must complete within 3 weeks of completing the virtual course in order to achieve successful completion.
Surveillance, Investigation & Enforcement Methodology (SIEM) Training Series 8000
Course Description: SIEM is a 5-day instructor-led course.
Target Audience: OIEA personnel tasked with performing in-commerce surveillance, investigation, and enforcement activities.
Course Logistics: The course is hosted by CFL using Microsoft Teams webinar. Students should use their assigned government laptops, or a training laptop may be issued if needed. Enrolled students will receive prior to the course a welcome letter, including the link to access the webinar and other technical instructions.
Import Inspection Refresher Training Series 7200
Course Description: The Import Inspection Refresher Training course is an independent self-paced online training. Participants may access the course via AgLearn at their convenience but should complete it before the end of the fiscal year. Participants should allow approximately 4 hours total (during duty hours) to review the material, but do not have to complete the training in a single day or session.
The course is a review of policy and procedures for the most critical and routine duties performed by Import Inspectors, including Shipment Presentation and Certification, Label Verification, review of import applications, and Refused Entry procedures.
This class is designed and based primarily on FSIS Directives 9900.1, 9900.4. 9900.5, and 9900.8.
Target Audience: Experienced Import Inspectors, Consumer Safety Inspectors, Public Health Veterinarians, Frontline Supervisors, and other OFO District personnel with prior Import Inspection training.
Course Logistics: Participants do not need to register for the course through Center for Learning (CFL). Simply log in to AgLearn, go to “Learn” > “Find Learning” (top of the page), and enter “Import Refresher” as your search term. Once you click to start the course, you will be routed to the FSIS Training Site (learning management platform)—please ignore the red “Log in” button in the upper right corner!
Once you have reviewed all the training material, simply close the course window to return to the course page in AgLearn and verify that there is a checkmark next to the course name. Next, complete the 10-question quiz. Once the quiz is complete, you will receive AgLearn credit for the training.
OJT Training: There is no On-the-Job Training requirement for this course.
Slaughter Inspection Refresher (Livestock & Poultry) Training Series 1300
Course Description: This course provides a review of livestock antemortem and postmortem inspection, poultry antemortem and postmortem inspection, humane handling, good commercial practices, and in-plant safety.
This class is designed and based on FSIS Directive 6900.2, FSIS Directive 6100.1, FSIS Directive 6100.3, Directive 6110.1.
Target Audience: Food Inspectors who have only completed the Food Inspector training in the District Office during orientation or Food Inspectors who have completed Food Inspector Livestock or Poultry classroom training within 5 years or more.
Course Logistics: This course will be instructor-led conducted using a computer and through webinars. You will need an FSIS issued computer and a phone line.
OJT Training: There is no On-the-Job Training requirement for this course.
In-Plant Safety Refresher Online Training Series 4400
Course Description: In-plant Safety Refresher training is an independent 6-hour online training that is self-paced. The training is available throughout the fiscal year as open enrollment through AgLearn. Participants do not have to complete the entire 6-hour training in a single day, as long as it is completed prior to the end of the fiscal year. This training covers the FSIS Health & Safety program, Hazard Communication, Personal Protective Equipment, Occupational Noise, and General Safety.
Target Audience: Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSIs) and Public Health Veterinarians (PHVs) who have previously completed Food Inspector, PHV or In-plant safety training in AgLearn.
Course Logistics: You will need an FSIS issued computer.
OJT Training: There is no on-the-Job Training requirement for this course.
Public Health Veterinarian Refresher Training - Sheep & Goat (PHVRSG 1500)
Course Overview: The Public Health Veterinarian Refresher Training - Sheep & Goat (PHVRSG 1500) is a Center for Learning (CFL) training that can be accessed through AgLearn. The course is an independent, self-paced training that is available 24 hours a day throughout the fiscal year. The course should be accessed only during official duty hours. Participants do not have to complete this training in a single day.
The course provides a brief overview of antemortem and postmortem procedures in sheep and goat slaughter facilities. It focuses on helping the PHV make sound, supportable, and expedient antemortem and postmortem dispositions, including developing differential diagnoses and appropriate regulatory citations.
Target Audience: Current PHVs who previously attended the PHV Training course over one year ago or more, or any PHV without prior experience in sheep and goat slaughter.
Course Logistics: Participants do not need to register for the course through Center for Learning (CFL). Simply log in to AgLearn, go to “Learn” > “Find Learning” (top of the page), and enter “PHV Refresher” as your search term. Make sure to select the course tile with the current fiscal year and click the “Enroll me” button. Once you click to start the course, you will be routed to the FSIS Training Site (learning management platform)—please ignore the red “Log in” button in the upper right corner!
Once you have reviewed all the training material, simply close the course window to return to the course page in AgLearn and verify that there is a checkmark next to the course name. The completion certificate should then be available.
OJT Training: There is no On-the-Job Training requirement for this course.
Enforcement, Investigation, and Analysis Officer Refresher Course (EIAOR 6600)
Course Description: The Enforcement, Investigation, and Analysis Officer Refresher Course may be accessed through AgLearn. The course is an independent, 8-hour self-paced training that will be available at all times for self-enrollment. The course should be accessed only during official duty hours. Participants do not have to complete this training in a single day. The course focuses on five important topics: Statistics, Validations, Routine Risk-based Lm (RLm) sampling program, Intensified Verification Testing (IVT), and Evidence Collection.
Target Audience: Current EIAOs and PHVs who previously attended the EIAO Training course over one year ago or more. Also, non-EIAOs who attended the EIAO Condensed Course over one year ago or more are encouraged to attend.
Course Logistics: Participants should take the course through AgLearn using their assigned government computers.
- Log into your AgLearn account, click on Learn, select Find Learning.
- Type the course name in the search box “FSIS-EIAO Refresher Training”
- Click on the course that is titled FSIS-EIAO Refresher Training with the current fiscal year.
- Click Enroll me.
- Click on the link that has the course title; you will be directed to the FSIS Training Site where you can begin learning.
- After completing the training, click on the Return to AgLearn section, then click on the link that says Click here to return to AgLearn. You will be returned to AgLearn, where you will check the box to indicate that you have completed the training and to receive credit.
- Download and save the completion certificate to your computer for your own records.
Public Health Veterinarian Refresher Training – Cattle (PHVRC 1600)
Course Overview: The Public Health Veterinarian Refresher Training - Cattle (PHVRC 1600) is a Center for Learning (CFL) training that can be accessed through AgLearn. The course is an independent, self-paced training that is available 24 hours a day throughout the fiscal year. The course should be accessed only during official duty hours. Participants do not have to complete this training in a single day.
The course provides a brief overview of antemortem and postmortem procedures in cattle slaughter facilities. It focuses on helping the PHV make sound, supportable, and expedient antemortem and postmortem dispositions, including developing differential diagnoses and appropriate regulatory citations.
Target Audience: Current PHVs who previously attended the PHV Training course over one year ago or more, or any PHV without prior experience in cattle slaughter.
Course Logistics: Participants do not need to register for the course through Center for Learning (CFL). Simply log in to AgLearn, go to “Learn” > “Find Learning” (top of the page), and enter “PHV Refresher” as your search term. Make sure to select the course tile with the current fiscal year and click the “Enroll me” button. Once you click to start the course, you will be routed to the FSIS Training Site (learning management platform)—please ignore the red “Log in” button in the upper right corner!
Once you have reviewed all the training material, simply close the course window to return to the course page in AgLearn and verify that there is a checkmark next to the course name. The completion certificate should then be available.
OJT Training: There is no On-the-Job Training requirement for this course.
Public Health Veterinarian Refresher Training – Swine (PHVRS 1700)
Course Overview: The Public Health Veterinarian Refresher Training - Swine (PHVRS 1700) is a Center for Learning (CFL) training that can be accessed through AgLearn. The course is an independent, self-paced training that is available 24 hours a day throughout the fiscal year. The course should be accessed only during official duty hours. Participants do not have to complete this training in a single day.
The course provides a brief overview of antemortem and postmortem procedures in swine slaughter facilities. It focuses on helping the PHV make sound, supportable, and expedient antemortem and postmortem dispositions, including developing differential diagnoses and appropriate regulatory citations.
Target Audience: Current PHVs who previously attended the PHV Training course over one year ago or more, or any PHV without prior experience in swine slaughter.
Course Logistics: Participants do not need to register for the course through Center for Learning (CFL). Simply log in to AgLearn, go to “Learn” > “Find Learning” (top of the page), and enter “PHV Refresher” as your search term. Make sure to select the course tile with the current fiscal year and click the “Enroll me” button. Once you click to start the course, you will be routed to the FSIS Training Site (learning management platform)—please ignore the red “Log in” button in the upper right corner!
Once you have reviewed all the training material, simply close the course window to return to the course page in AgLearn and verify that there is a checkmark next to the course name. The completion certificate should then be available.
OJT Training: There is no On-the-Job Training requirement for this course.
District Veterinary Medical Officer Training Course (DVMO) 2300
Course Description: The District Veterinary Medical Officer Training Course is an independent self-paced online training. Participants may access the course via AgLearn at their convenience. Participants should allow approximately 32 hours total (during duty hours) over approximately 4 weeks to review the material, but do not have to complete the training in a single day or session and may take longer if necessitated by workload.
The training provides an in-depth review of the role of the DVMO in Humane Handling (HH) and Good Commercial Practices (GCP) focused duties, as well as relevant soft skills. The course will cover HH/GCP regulatory requirements, policies, and the DVMO’s role in: HATS verification, stunning/handling, verifying if an establishment implements a Systematic Approach, conducting verification visits and DVMO enhanced outreach visits, HH/GCP noncompliance and enforcement, and other HH/GCP related correlation, data, and duties assigned to the DVMO. It will also cover APHIS MOUs, time management, managing up, Maxiflex work schedule, transition training, and communications.
Target Audience: Available to new hire DVMOs.
Course Logistics: Participants should take the course through AgLearn using their assigned government computers.
- Log into your AgLearn account, click on Learn, select Find Learning.
- Type the course name in the search box “District Veterinary Medical Officers.”
- Click on the course that is titled “FSIS-FY25 District Veterinary Medical Officers (DVMO 2300).”
- Click Enroll me.
- Click on the link that has the course title; you will be directed to the FSIS Training Site where you can begin learning.
- After completing the training, click on the Return to AgLearn section, then click on the link that says Click here to return to AgLearn website. You will be returned to AgLearn, where you will check the box to indicate that you have completed the training and to receive credit.
- Download and save the completion certificate to your computer for your own records.
On-the-Job Training Requirement: There is no On-the-Job Training requirement for this course; however, an OJT Mentor Procedures resource document is provided and highly encouraged to be completed with District.
Condensed Enforcement, Investigation & Analysis Officer Training (CEIAO) 6100 Series
Course Description: This course is an instructor-led 4-day class. Topics covered during this training focus on Food Safety Assessments (FSAs), the design and validity of the hazard analysis, HACCP plan; Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures; prerequisite programs; testing programs, e.g., generic E. coli written procedures; and any other programs that constitute the establishment’s food safety system.
Target Audience: This course is intended for non-EIAOs that do not perform FSAs or recalls as part of their duties but want to gain an understanding of EIAO methodology. Successful completion of this course is not meant to enable a program employee to perform EIAO duties.
Course Logistics: The course is hosted by CFL using Microsoft Teams webinar. Students should use their assigned government laptops, or a training laptop may be issued if needed. Enrolled students will receive prior to the course a welcome letter, including the link to access the webinar and other technical instructions.
Further Processing & Labeling Self-Paced Training (FPLSP) 9600 Series
Course Description: This is a 40-hour self-paced training that should be completed over 8 weeks at the participant’s convenience. This training course provides instructions to Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) assigned from simple to complex processing establishments. The course focuses on the non-food safety consumer protection (NFSCP) regulations and the five (5) NFSCP tasks IPP may use to verify compliance with non-food safety regulations. This course will cover Labeling, Net Weights, Sausage Operations, Cured Meat and Poultry Products, Meat and Poultry Products with Added Solutions, and Inspection Responsibilities. In addition to NFSCP regulatory requirements, you will learn about and practice the compliance verification calculations used by IPP. These calculations may be used to determine the regulatory limits of restricted and limited ingredients added to sausage products and to cured meat and poultry products. Verification calculations may also be used to verify the amount of gain or loss in products containing added solutions. It is highly recommended that you have scratch paper and a calculator as you progress through the course.
Target Audience: Current Consumer Safety Inspectors who have job duties in further processing establishments and have previously attended the Further Processing & Labeling class.
Course Logistics: Students should use their assigned government laptops, or a training laptop may be issued if needed. Enrolled students will receive prior to the course a username and password to access the course on the FSIS Training Site, as well as other technical instructions.
Further Processing & Labeling Refresher Training (FPLR) 9800 Series
Course Description: This course is an independent, 24-hour self-paced training that will be available at all times for self-enrollment via AgLearn. The FPL Refresher training course offers an overview of the information presented to Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) in the Further Processing and Labeling (FPL) instructor-led training course. This self-paced course will review the five (5) Non-Food Safety Consumer Protection (NFSCP) tasks and the regulatory compliance verification activities performed by IPP. The course will address regulatory compliance requirements for Labeling, Net Weights, Sausage Operations, Cured Meat and Poultry Products, and Meat and Poultry Products with Added Solutions. Inspection Responsibilities will also be covered in this course. You will learn about the verification calculations IPP use to determine regulatory limits for limited and restricted ingredients added to sausage products as well as cured meat and poultry products. You will also learn about the calculations used to verify the amount of gain or loss in products containing added solutions.
Target Audience: Current Consumer Safety Inspectors who have job duties in further processing establishments and have previously attended the Further Processing & Labeling class.
Course Logistics: Participants should take the course through AgLearn using their assigned government computers.
- Log into your AgLearn account, click on Learn, select Find Learning.
- Type a keyword in the search box, e.g., “Further Processing”
- Click on the course that is titled FSIS-FY ____ Further Processing & Labeling Refresher with the current fiscal year.
- Click Enroll me.
- Click on the link that has the course title; you will be directed to the FSIS Training Site where you can begin learning.
- After completing the training, click on the Return to AgLearn section, then click on the link that says Click here to return to AgLearn. You will be returned to AgLearn, where you will check the box to indicate that you have completed the training and to receive credit.
- Download and save the completion certificate to your computer for your own records.
Thermal Processing Inspection Self-Paced Training (TPSP) 4200 Series
Course Description: This is a 40-hour self-paced training that should be completed over 8 weeks at the participant’s convenience. Topics covered during this training include the microbiology of thermally processed foods, process equipment such as retorts and containers, deviations in processing, and verification of the thermal processing regulatory requirements.
Target Audience: Consumer Safety Inspectors who have been assigned to establishments that conduct thermal processing.
Course Logistics: Students should use their assigned government laptops, or a training laptop may be issued if needed. Enrolled students will receive prior to the course a username and password to access the course on the FSIS Training Site, as well as other technical instructions.
Thermal Processing Inspection Refresher Training (TPR) 4300 Series
Course Description: This course is an independent, self-paced training that will be available at all times for self-enrollment via AgLearn. The training includes several case studies addressing a variety of situations that CSIs may encounter while performing their job duties in a thermal processing establishment.
Target Audience: Current Consumer Safety Inspectors who have job duties in thermal processing establishments and have previously attended the Thermal Processing Inspection class.
Course Logistics: Participants should take the course through AgLearn using their assigned government computers.
- Log into your AgLearn account, click on Learn, select Find Learning.
- Type a keyword in the search box, e.g., “Thermal Processing”
- Click on the course that is titled FSIS-FY ____ Thermal Processing Refresher with the current fiscal year.
- Click Enroll me.
- Click on the link that has the course title; you will be directed to the FSIS Training Site where you can begin learning.
- After completing the training, click on the Return to AgLearn section, then click on the link that says Click here to return to AgLearn. You will be returned to AgLearn, where you will check the box to indicate that you have completed the training and to receive credit.
- Download and save the completion certificate to your computer for your own records.
Food Inspector Accelerated Promotion Training (FIAP) 2200 Series
Course Description: This is a self-paced open enrollment course for Food Inspectors intending to seek promotion to Consumer Safety Inspector within 6 months, rather than the standard 1 year minimum. The course focuses on authority, food inspector duties, safety, food microbiology, poultry and livestock inspection, HACCP, and sanitation. Participants may enroll themselves throughout the fiscal year using AgLearn. Approximately 40 hours total is allotted to complete the training.
Target Audience: Food Inspectors who were hired at GS-5 level at difficult to fill establishments (as identified by Office of Field Operations and FSIS Human Resources, Office of Management) and from a Food Inspector announcement that was issued on or after October 31, 2023.
Course Logistics: Participants should take the course through AgLearn using their assigned government computers.
- Log into your AgLearn account, click on Learn, select Find Learning.
- Type a keyword in the search box, e.g., “Food Inspector Accelerated”
- Click on the course that is titled FY ___ FSIS-Food Inspector Accelerated Promotion Course (FIAP 2200) (select the course for the current fiscal year).
- Click Enroll me.
- Click on the link that has the course title; you will be directed to the FSIS Training Site where you can begin learning.
- After completing the training, click on the Return to AgLearn section, then click on the link that says Click here to return to AgLearn. You will be returned to AgLearn, where you will check the box to indicate that you have completed the training and to receive credit.
- Download and save the completion certificate to your computer for your own records.
Computer Training for Inspection Methods (CTIM) 2800 Series
Course Description: This is a self-paced, 2-hour online training course completed within the week prior to starting the Inspection Methods (IM) class. The training familiarizes IM participants with the computer/technical systems including how to use: the IM training laptop, Microsoft Teams webinar meeting, this FSIS Training Site, and the electronic testing system. Successful navigation of these online systems will enhance your ability to utilize the IM training laptop, log into the IM class content, understand the Teams webinar meeting features and ask questions, locate slides and course content, and get experience using the online testing system. The instructors will also review how to use these systems in-person or online during the first week of IM training.
Target Audience: Inspection Program Personnel scheduled to participate in Inspection Methods training who have limited computer experience or technical skills.
Course Logistics: Students will need internet access and their CFL-issued training laptop. Enrolled participants will be issued a username and password prior to training.