Human and Animal Food Laboratory National Curriculum Standard

IFPTI, in partnership with the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), has completed the development of a competency-based National Curriculum Standard (NCS) for Human and Animal Food Laboratory Professionals. The goal of the Laboratory NCS is a competent laboratory workforce doing comparable work across all jurisdictions as part of the Integrated Food Safety System.

The Laboratory NCS (visual shown below) spans four professional levels (Entry, Mid, Expert, and Director) and depicts the content or topic areas in which laboratory professionals must possess competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities).

The Laboratory NCS also includes content areas specific to Chemistry, Microbiology, and Specialized Laboratories.

Laboratory NCS development workshops were conducted with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) representing a range of partners including but not limited to APHL, AFDO, AAFCO, FDA, and State Laboratories.

The Laboratory NCS will be used for:

  1. training design and development (courses and other learning events)

  2. cataloging existing training

  3. evaluation and assessment

  4. staffing practices

  5. career path development

The Laboratory NCS is supported by FDA’s Office of Training Education and Development.

If you have any questions or comments on the Laboratory NCS, email us.