To evaluate a heat-shock condition for the enumeration of Clostridium sporogenes spores, a surrogate for C. botulinum spores, we examined the heat tolerance of C. sporogenes spores and vegetative cells exposed to a heat shock at $90^{circ}C$. From the D values of the spores determined in the temperature range of 113-$121^{circ}C$, z value (${pm}SD$) and $D_{90^{circ}C}$ value were estimated to be $10.16{pm}0.90^{circ}C$ and 1,071.52 min, respectively, and the inactivation rates were predicted to be only approximately 2% at $90^{circ}C$ for up to 10 min. Meanwhile, the viable count of spores was significantly higher when activated under a heat-shock condition of $90^{circ}C$ for over 9 min than those activated for shorter time periods. The heat tolerance of vegetative cells was extremely low, showing a $D_{90^{circ}C}$ value (${pm}SD$) of $0.21{pm}0.01$ min. Finally, 3 different heat-shock conditions were compared: $70^{circ}C$ for 30 min, $80^{circ}C$ for 20 min, and $90^{circ}C$ for 10 min, and the experimental comparative data showed no significant differences in viable spore counts. Consequently, these results support that the heat-shock treatment at $90^{circ}C$ for 10 min is suitable to activate spores and to inactivate vegetative cells of C. sporogenes.