Morel Certification Class
For morel mushrooms to legally be sold to the public in Missouri they must first be inspected by a certified identifier who has successfully completed an approved identification course, per food safety regulations established by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (see link below). This includes morels sold at farmers markets, grocery stores, and restaurants.
The course offered by the Missouri Mycological Society is currently the only approved class available in the state that can certify you to sell, or identify for sale, morels in Missouri. Restaurants or stores that wish to sell morels must either obtain them from a certified morel mushroom identifier, or have a certified identifier inspect any morels that are served or sold to the public. A chef who is a certified identifier can get morels from someone who is not!
Certification is valid for three years, after which identifiers must take the class again and get recertified. The cost for the class is $75. The class will be held via Zoom on Saturday, February 7th 2026 from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM, presented by Mike Snyder, MOMS board member and head of research.
We will go over identifying characteristics of true morels (Morchella species). The class is as in-depth as time and format allow and is designed to provide students with the tools and knowledge to identify morels safely and confidently. The 20-question multiple choice/true-false test is given at the end of the class and must be passed to get certification.
Those who successfully complete the course will be awarded a certificate of completion and a wallet-sized card indicating they are certified to identify morel mushrooms for sale in the state of Missouri.
This class is only for certification for morel mushrooms. A separate class will be offered on March 7th 2026, for certification of other select species of wild edible mushrooms, including chanterelles, chicken of the woods, lion’s mane, oyster mushrooms, and others.
MOMS is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding our understanding and appreciation of fungi, and fees collected go towards research and education efforts across the state.
https://health.mo.gov/safety/foodsafety/pdf/missourifoodcode.pdf
See section 3-201.16 Wild Mushrooms
Click here to register for the Morel Certification Class
Wild Mushroom Certification Class
For wild mushrooms to be legally sold or served to the public in Missouri they must first be inspected by a certified identifier who has successfully completed an approved identification course, per food safety regulations established by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (see link below). This includes wild mushrooms sold at farmers markets, grocery stores, and restaurants.
The courses offered by the Missouri Mycological Society are currently the only approved classes available in the state that can certify you to sell, or identify for sale, wild mushrooms in Missouri. Restaurants or stores intending to sell wild mushrooms must either obtain them from a certified mushroom identifier, or have a certified identifier inspect any wild mushrooms that are served or sold to the public. In other words, a chef who is a certified identifier can get mushrooms from someone who is not!
Certification is valid for three years, after which identifiers must be recertified. The cost for the class is $125. The class will be held via Zoom on Saturday, March 7th 2026 from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, presented by Mike Snyder, MOMS board member and head of research. This will be an all-day class, but there will be multiple breaks, and we will take a half-hour lunch.
This course is intended to provide a way for people to sell wild edible mushrooms legally*, but it is also an excellent opportunity for those wanting to learn about some of the most common edible fungi in Missouri, how to tell them apart from their lookalikes, and some basics about fungi in general. You do not have to take the certification test to attend the course!
The 50-question multiple choice/true-false test is given at the end of the presentation, with an 80% minimum score required to pass. Registrants will receive an outline of the material before the class to help prepare them for the course and test.
The course will cover the following species and many of their lookalikes:
- Chicken of the Woods – Laetiporus sulphureus & L. cincinnatus
- Hen of the Woods – Grifola frondosa
- Berkeley’s Polypore – Bondarzewia berkeleyi
- Black-Staining Polypore – Meripilus sumstinei
- Lion’s Mane, Comb Tooth - Hericium erinaceus, H. coralloides, H. americanum
- Puffballs – Calvatia spp., Lycoperdon spp.
- Cauliflower Mushroom – Sparassis spathulata
- Chanterelles – Cantharellus lateritius group, C. cibarius group, C. cinnabarinus group
- Black Trumpets – Craterellus fallax
- Lobster Mushrooms – Hypomyces lactifluorum
- Aborted Entoloma – Shrimp of the Woods – Entoloma abortivum
- Oysters – Pleurotus ostreatus & P. pulmonarius
Those who successfully complete the course will be mailed a certificate of completion and a wallet-sized card indicating they are certified to identify these specific wild mushrooms for sale in the state of Missouri.
This class is only for certification for the wild mushrooms listed above. A separate class for certification to identify and sell morels is scheduled for February 7th, 2026.
MOMS is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding our understanding and appreciation of fungi, and fees collected go towards research and education efforts across the state.
https://health.mo.gov/safety/foodsafety/pdf/missourifoodcode.pdf
See section 3-201.16 Wild Mushrooms.
* Please be aware that selling mushrooms harvested from public land in Missouri is illegal. It is the forager’s responsibility to find safe, legal, private locations from which to harvest.
Click here to register for the Wild Mushroom Certification Class