Field Operations / Inspections
The Food Protection Certificate
A person who is charged with supervising food operations of a food service establishment or non-retail food processing establishment is required to have obtained a certificate issued by the Department of Health subsequent to successful completion of a course in food protection, and passage of an examination administered by the Department. A person holding such certificate must be on the premises and must supervise all food preparation activities during all hours of operation.
Applicants for the course may register at the Citywide Licensing Center. The course fee is $105.00 payable by certified check or money order to the New York City Department of Health, and is separate and apart from any other fees associated with the permit application. Be certain to obtain both the payment receipt and the course registration form. This form will list the date and time that you are scheduled to attend the course as well as the refund policy of the Department.
The Food Protection Course is a 15 hour course beginning on Monday and ending on Friday with classes lasting 3 hours each day. In the event that Monday is a City holiday, the course will be held from Tuesday through Friday and classes will last 3 hours and 45 minutes each day.
To qualify for the Food Protection Certificate, you must attend all 15 hours and pass the final exam given on the last day of the course. This is a multiple choice exam with 50 questions. The passing grade is 70%.
June 2001
For more information on Inspections, call 212-676-1600.
