In New York City, ensuring food safety is a top priority. If you work in a food service establishment, obtaining a Food Handler License is not just a good idea—it’s often a legal requirement. This certification demonstrates your knowledge of essential food protection practices, safeguarding both public health and your career in the food industry.
To meet this requirement, NYC offers a Food Protection Course designed to train individuals in these critical practices. This course is essential for anyone working in food service or non-retail food processing in NYC. According to the NYC Health Code, every food establishment must have at least one supervisor with a food handler license present during operating hours. Completing this course and passing the final exam is the standard way to achieve this certification.
The great news is that the initial Online Food Protection Course is available for free. It’s a self-paced program featuring 15 lessons, available in English, Spanish, and Chinese. You’ll need to complete each lesson and pass a short quiz before moving forward. Study guides and exam materials are even more accessible, offered in English and 36 other languages. You can access the free online course here.
While the course itself is free, a fee of $24.60 (including fees) applies to take the mandatory final exam to get your official food handler license. After finishing the online course, you’ll be directed to schedule your exam appointment. Payment is required via credit card, and the exam must be taken in person at the NYC Health Academy Riverside Health Center in Manhattan.
To help you prepare, resources like the Food Protection Course Training Manual and the Online Food Protection Course Study Guide are available. These materials come in multiple languages to support diverse learners. You can also find answers to common questions in the FAQ document. Earning your food handler license in NYC is a straightforward process, ensuring you are compliant with regulations and contributing to safer food service for everyone.
