2025-2026 Credential Information
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/ |
| Implementation Year | Before 2022-2023 |
| Credential Auto Collect | No |
| Diploma Endorsement | FH13 = 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 = No |
| 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 | None |
| Credential Lifespan | Lifetime |
| Renewal Options | N/A |
| SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s) | Chefs and Head Cooks (35-1011)Food Service Managers (11-9051) |
| Articulation | Yes Effective 2025-26 See Statewide Articulation Agreement: https://www.ncperkins.org/course/view.php?id=4 |
| 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 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 third 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 |
