Georgia Compliance Training
Requirements 2026

Requirements

• Every food service establishment must have at least one Certified Food Safety Manager whose certification is from an accredited program (such as ServSafe).
• The certified manager's certificate must be kept on file and available to the county health inspector.
• Food handlers are commonly required by local health departments to complete basic food safety/food handler training, though Georgia does not impose a single statewide handler card.

Key Standards

• Georgia Department of Public Health Food Service Rules and Regulations, Chapter 511-6-1
• Georgia Food Act (O.C.G.A. Title 26, Chapter 2)
• FDA Food Code (adopted by reference in Georgia)

Certification Details

• Certified Food Safety Manager credential (e.g., ServSafe Manager) is accredited and valid for 5 years.
• Food handler training is shorter and intended for line staff; requirements vary by county and municipality.

Penalties

Operating without a certified manager can result in lower inspection scores, fines, and suspension or revocation of the food service permit by the county health department.

Requirements

• Georgia does not impose a single statewide responsible-server mandate, but many counties and municipalities require employees who pour or serve alcohol to hold a local alcohol pour permit and complete an approved server/seller training course.
• Alcohol delivery (allowed under Georgia's home-delivery law) typically requires drivers to complete alcohol delivery certification training.
• Employers should confirm the specific certification, age, and permit rules with their local licensing authority.

Key Standards

• O.C.G.A. Title 3 (Alcoholic Beverages)
• Local county/municipal alcohol licensing ordinances
• Georgia alcohol home-delivery provisions

Certification Details

• Approved alcohol server/seller certification courses cover ID checking, intoxication signs, and Georgia liability rules.
• Separate alcohol delivery certification is available for drivers handling off-premises delivery.

Penalties

Serving without required local certification or permits can result in fines, employee permit revocation, and jeopardy to the establishment's alcohol license; over-service can create dram-shop liability.

Requirements

• Georgia has no state OSHA plan for private employers, so federal OSHA standards (29 CFR 1910 general industry and 1926 construction) apply directly.
• Employers must train workers on recognized hazards, including hazard communication, emergency action, PPE, and job-specific risks.
• OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour outreach training is widely used and may be required by certain contracts or job sites.

Key Standards

• OSHA General Industry Standards, 29 CFR 1910
• OSHA Construction Standards, 29 CFR 1926
• OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200

Certification Details

• OSHA outreach (10/30-hour) cards document general safety awareness.
• Standard-specific training (e.g., HazCom, lockout/tagout, fall protection) must be provided based on workplace hazards.

Penalties

Federal OSHA penalties for 2026 exceed $16,000 per serious violation and can surpass $160,000 for willful or repeat violations.

Requirements

• Georgia has no state law mandating sexual harassment prevention training.
• Federal Title VII (enforced by the EEOC) prohibits workplace harassment; documented training helps establish the employer's affirmative defense.
• Best practice is regular harassment and workplace-conduct training for all staff, with enhanced training for supervisors.

Key Standards

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• EEOC enforcement guidance on harassment
• Georgia Fair Employment Practices Act (public employers)

Certification Details

• Completion certificates document training for the employer's affirmative defense file.
• Supervisor-specific modules address reporting, investigation, and retaliation prevention.

Penalties

No state training penalty, but harassment claims under Title VII can lead to significant EEOC settlements, litigation costs, and compensatory and punitive damages.