We are pleased to announce the new auditor training classes for 2023 are open for registration. These courses are only available to auditors who are affiliated with groups that have applied for GroupGAP certification. If you are a new Group who wishes to apply to be a part of this certification program, please contact GroupGAP@usda.gov.
Full week classes will cost $900 for all industry participants.
Harmonized GAP Plus+
We plan on holding two Harmonized GAP Plus+ standard auditor classes this year. Each of these classes is online via Blackboard and consist of five days of live instruction and independent assignments. Classes will begin Monday and end Friday, and the times will be determined depending upon the composition of students’ locations. In general, students will be expected to be available eight hours per day for the entire week. Students must have access to a stable internet connection, Firefox or Google Chrome web browsers, and their own email address to be used for enrollment. This is the required training for both the USDA Harmonized GAP standard and the Harmonized GAP Plus+.
Dates
- March 20 – March 24, 2023 – Online via Blackboard
- July 31 – August 4, 2023 – Online via Blackboard
Prerequisites
New auditors are responsible for attending a Produce Safety Alliance course and the USDA Fundamentals of Auditing course prior to their week-long new auditor class. Fundamentals of Auditing will be offered online through USDA’s Blackboard platform. Self-Registration instructions for the Fundamentals of Auditing will be sent out once you are registered for the new auditor course.
View more information about the Produce Safety Alliance courses
Prospective students who have not taken the PSA Grower course are encouraged to make arrangements to do so as early as possible to avoid interruption in their chosen course.
USDA GAP Transition Training
This year we will be offering two classes for current Harmonized auditors (or Harmonized Auditors-in-Training) who wish to receive training in conducting USDA GAP audits. Each of these classes is online via Blackboard and consist of two days of live instruction and independent assignments.
Dates
- April 4 & April 5, 2023 – Online via Blackboard
- August 22 & August 23, 2023 – Online via Blackboard
USDA GAP Refresher Training (Mandatory)
Current auditors of the USDA GAP standard are required to attend one of the offered mandatory refresher update trainings. This year we will be offering three classes. The training will be no longer than one day and will cover new changes made to the program. The course will include live instruction through blackboard.
Dates
- April 12, 2023
- May 16, 2023
- May 25, 2023
GMP/Food Defense Auditor Training
This year we will be offering one class for existing auditors or Auditors in training (who have completed the Online Harmonized auditor training) for the GMP/Food Defense program. This class will be held online through the Blackboard platform over the course of 4 days. This course will include live instruction and independent assignments.
Dates
- March 13-16, 2023 – Online via Blackboard (Date subject to change)
Prerequisites
Prior to attendance at any of these classes, auditors must complete the following pre-requisites:
- Fundamentals of Auditing Course
- GMPs Part 117 Online Course
- Food Defense courses:
- FSPCA Overview of the Intentional Adulteration Rule (IA Rule) Course –
- FSPCA IA Identification and Explanation of Mitigation Strategies Course –
- FSPCA IA Food Defense Plan Preparation and Reanalysis Course –
Registration
To register for any of the auditor training courses, please submit the following information to
Name
Email Address
Group Name
Choice of classes/dates
Current auditor status/prerequisites already completed