To obtain a Food Sanitation certification in the state of Illinois, you must: 1  1. Complete a state-approved 8-hour Food Service Sanitation Manager Certification course. 2  2.3  Successfully pass a state examination with a score of at least 75%. 4  3. Pay a $35 certificate fee to the Illinois Department of Public Health.he State of Illinois requires all Food Safety Certification training to be supervised by an Illinois certified program administrator or instructor, such as Premier Food Safety.