2023-2024 Credential Information
Certified Fundamentals Cook (CFC)
Credential Name | Certified Fundamentals Cook (CFC) |
Credential Vendor Info | American Culinary Federation 180 Center Place Way | St. Augustine, FL 32095 https://www.acfchefs.org |
Credential Auto Collect | No |
Diploma Endorsement | Yes |
Validation Artifact | Copy of Certificate OR Score List Report |
Credential Lead Consultant | Gwen Turner gwen.turner@dpi.nc.gov |
Course Number and Title | FH13 Culinary Arts and Hospitality III |
Credential as POL | FH13 POL = Yes     Note: Certified Fundamentals Cook (CFC) OR Pre-Professional Certification in Culinary Arts OR ProStart National Certificate of Achievement (COA) |
Pathway(s)^ | Culinary Arts Applications (CULA)Culinary Arts Internship (CULI) |
Cost of Instructor Training | N/A |
Instructor Training Requirements | Available See: https://www.acfchefs.org |
Exam Voucher Expiration | N/A |
Credential Lifespan | 3 years |
Renewal Options | N/A |
SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s) | Chefs and Head Cooks (35-1011)Food Service Managers (11-9051)Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (11-3071) |
Articulation | No |
Sequencing | No |
Employer Transferability | Yes |
Delivery Format | On-line or Paper/pencil with Performance-based With performance-based NOCTI Examination - 212 items Practical Examination - 2.5 hours for four projects: Steamed green vegetable and carrots, Sauteed chicken with fine herb sauce, Rice pilaf, and Salad course. |
Proctored Environment Required | Yes |
Test Site Options and Requirements | https://www.acfchefs.org/ACF/Education/Accreditation/ACF/Education/Accreditation/ |
Testing Environment Requirements | There are two available options. ACEF Accreditation: 1. Submit application 2. Determine and scheduled site visit date 3. Complete self-study and exhibits 4. Submit payment 60 days prior to site visit 5. Complete site visit 6. Program will receive narrative letter addressing all findings and listing any non-compliances that must be responded to 7. Accrediting Commission meets in January and July to review and approve programs 8. Accreditation granted for 3-5 years Teaching Option: Proctor NOCTI Exam, Proctor Practical Exam - ACF chef administers exam |
Proctored Requirements | Administrator proctored NOCTI Examination, Paper-based or online ACF Member evaluated Practical Examination, see: https://www.acfchefs.org/ACF/Education/Accreditation/ACF/Education/Accreditation/ |
Exam Time Allotment | 2.5 hours for four jobs (practical exam) |
Exam Passing Requirement | N/A |
Retakes | No |
Student Accommodations | No |
Multilingual Resources* | No |
Directory Notes | None |
Pre-Professional Certification in Culinary Arts
Credential Name | Pre-Professional Certification in Culinary Arts |
Credential Vendor Info | American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Helen Fuqua Associate Director - Credentialing Programs pre-pac@aafcs.org 703.636.7641 https://www.aafcs.org/credentialing-center/pre-pac |
Credential Auto Collect | No |
Diploma Endorsement | Yes |
Validation Artifact | Copy of Certificate OR Score List Report |
Credential Lead Consultant | Gwen Turner gwen.turner@dpi.nc.gov |
Course Number and Title | FH13 Culinary Arts and Hospitality III |
Credential as POL | FH13 POL = Yes     Note: Certified Fundamentals Cook (CFC) OR Pre-Professional Certification in Culinary Arts OR ProStart National Certificate of Achievement (COA) |
Pathway(s)^ | Culinary Arts Applications (CULA)Culinary Arts Internship (CULI) |
Cost of Instructor Training | $0.00 |
Instructor Training Requirements | Available |
Exam Voucher Expiration | June 30 of the testing year https://www.aafcs.org/prepac-management/purchase |
Credential Lifespan | 3 years |
Renewal Options | Yes Retest required. |
SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s) | Chefs and Head Cooks (35-1011)Food Service Managers (11-9051)Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (11-3071) |
Articulation | Visit this website for the current list of Post-Secondary Articulations for all PrePAC exams. https://www.aafcs.org/credentialing-center/pre-pac/pre-pac-testimonials |
Sequencing | No |
Employer Transferability | No |
Delivery Format | On-line |
Proctored Environment Required | Yes |
Test Site Options and Requirements | Test sites are defined by the structure or level of testing and data reporting needed by the site. It is not defined by the actual physical test location. Must meet qualifications and agree to stipulations outlined on site, see: https://www.aafcs.org/prepac-management/procedures/application |
Testing Environment Requirements | N/A |
Proctored Requirements | Person who administers test must be test site employees. Teachers of record MAY NOT serve as the sole proctor, see: https://www.aafcs.org/prepac-management/procedures/instructions |
Exam Time Allotment | Not timed |
Exam Passing Requirement | The national cut-score for pre-professional certification eligibility is established annually by AAFCS, is posted to this website by August 1 of each year, and remains in effect until June 30 of the following academic year, see: https://www.aafcs.org/credentialing/center/pre-pac/scoring |
Retakes | Yes School can purchase a test/retest package where participants can get two attempts. Schools can still purchase extra retakes if package was not purchased. |
Student Accommodations | Yes https://www.aafcs.org/prepac-management/procedures/accommodations |
Multilingual Resources* | Yes See Student Accommodations link. Test is not translated into other languages, but with proper documentation a translator may read the test to the student, following the guidelines of the proctor. |
Directory Notes | Teacher can pull a Score List Report (Certification Status Template) from Pre-PAC Management System. Students also receive a certificate indicating they earned the certification. Each test site has log in credentials to access the Pre-PAC Data Reporting System OR student certificate. Pre-PAC test sites must seek AAFCS approval each testing year. |
ProStart National Certificate of Achievement (COA)
Credential Name | ProStart National Certificate of Achievement (COA) |
Credential Vendor Info | North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association 222 N. Person Street, Suite 210 | Raleigh, NC 27601 info@ncrla.org 919.844.0098 https://www.ncrla.org/ |
Credential Auto Collect | No |
Diploma Endorsement | Yes |
Validation Artifact | Teacher Log OR Transcript from ProStart registry system |
Credential Lead Consultant | Gwen Turner gwen.turner@dpi.nc.gov |
Course Number and Title | FH13 Culinary Arts and Hospitality III |
Credential as POL | FH13 POL = Yes     Note: Certified Fundamentals Cook (CFC) OR Pre-Professional Certification in Culinary Arts OR ProStart National Certificate of Achievement (COA) |
Pathway(s)^ | Culinary Arts Applications (CULA)Culinary Arts Internship (CULI) |
Cost of Instructor Training | $309.00 ProStart instructor training is specified by the North Carolina Restaurant Association. For the Foundation curriculum, the Teacher Resource package is $309.00 per level. |
Instructor Training Requirements | Required Instructors must register and take a survey every year. |
Exam Voucher Expiration | There is not an expiration on exams. |
Credential Lifespan | Lifetime |
Renewal Options | N/A |
SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s) | Chefs and Head Cooks (35-1011)Food Service Managers (11-9051)Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (11-3071) |
Articulation | No |
Sequencing | Yes The Certificate of Achievement requires a Level 1 and Level 2 exam as well as 400 work hours. The Level 1 exam most closely aligns with the FH10 Culinary Arts and Hospitality I, FH11 Culinary Arts and Hospitality II Applications, FH12 Culinary Arts and Hospitality II Internship. The level 2 exam most closely aligns with the FH13 Culinary Arts and Hospitality III course. |
Employer Transferability | Yes |
Delivery Format | On-line and Paper/pencil |
Proctored Environment Required | Yes |
Test Site Options and Requirements | N/A |
Testing Environment Requirements | The location is conducive to exam testing with no distractions, including having additional people within the space, all four (4) walls of their testing room, a full view of examinee, and a close-up of their ID to confirm the identity. Ensure audio is enabled to ensure there are no 3rd parties in the room or inappropriate distractions during the examination. |
Proctored Requirements | Register On-line |
Exam Time Allotment | N/A |
Exam Passing Requirement | 70% or higher |
Retakes | Yes With remediation |
Student Accommodations | Yes Determined by instructor. |
Multilingual Resources* | Yes Spanish versions available. |
Directory Notes | Students who have completed the requirements of the ProStart program are awarded an industry-recognized certificate, the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement. To earn the certificate, students pass two national exams, demonstrate a mastery of foundational skills and work 400 mentored hours. https://myprostart.chooserestaurants.org/Programs-and-Scholarships/Meet-ProStart/Program-Overview |