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NYC Food Protection Certificate Practice Test 2026

In New York City, the Health Code requires a supervisor who holds a Food Protection Certificate to be on site whenever a food service establishment is open. The certificate comes from the NYC Health Department's Food Protection Course and its in-person final exam. Practice test 1 covers the NYC rules; the other sets cover food safety basics.

  • Food safety
  • New York
  • 145 questions
  • Checked
  • Edited by A. Singh
  • Fact-checked October 17, 2026

Quick answer

It is run by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health Department), Health Academy. Practise here for free with 145 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 17, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the NYC Food Protection Course Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.
Plan for my exam date Mistake notebook

  1. Question 1 of 25

    Under the New York City Health Code, who must hold a Food Protection Certificate?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Supervisors of food service establishments and non-retail food processing establishments

    The NYC Health Code requires supervisors of food service establishments and non-retail food processing establishments to be certified in food protection.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    When must a supervisor with a Food Protection Certificate be on site at a NYC food service establishment?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Whenever the establishment is operating

    Section 81.15 of the Health Code says the certificate holder must be on the premises during all hours of operation.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    What must the certified supervisor do while on the premises in NYC?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Supervise all food preparation activities

    Under section 81.15, the certificate holder must supervise all food preparation activities during all hours of operation.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    In NYC, when must the Food Protection Certificate be available for the Health Department to inspect?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At all times

    Section 81.15 requires the certificate to be available for inspection by the Department at all times.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    How many lessons are in the NYC Health Department's online Food Protection Course?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 15

    The free online course is self-paced and has 15 lessons.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    In the NYC online Food Protection Course, what must you do before you can move on to the next lesson?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Pass the quiz for the lesson

    Each lesson ends with a quiz, and you must pass it before you continue.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    You fail a lesson quiz in the NYC online Food Protection Course. What must you do before you try the quiz again?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Spend at least 15 minutes in a row actively working on that lesson

    The course FAQ says you must spend at least 15 consecutive active minutes on the lesson before you retake its quiz.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    After you finish the NYC online Food Protection Course, how do you take the final exam?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. In person, at a scheduled appointment

    The final exam is given in person. After you pass the online course, you are prompted to schedule an exam appointment.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    What must you bring to a NYC Food Protection final exam at the Health Academy?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A government-issued photo ID

    The city's business page says you must bring a government-issued photo ID to an in-person class or final exam.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    In how many languages is the NYC Food Protection final exam offered?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 37

    The Health Department offers the final exam in 37 languages, including English.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    How long is the in-person NYC Food Protection Course at the Health Academy?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 15 hours over five days

    The classroom course is 15 hours, given over five days in three-hour sessions, with the final exam on the last day.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    How often must a NYC Food Protection Certificate be renewed?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Never, because it does not expire

    The Health Department says the Food Protection Certificate does not expire, so no renewal is needed.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    Where can you use your NYC Food Protection Certificate?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At any food place in New York City that has a Health Department permit

    The certificate can be used at any food place in New York City, as long as the place has a permit from the NYC Health Department.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    You fail the NYC Food Protection final exam. What happens next?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. You must retake the course (online or in person) and pay the fees again

    If you fail, you must take the online course again or register for the class again, and pay all fees again.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    Under the NYC Health Code, at what temperature must hot potentially hazardous food be held?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At or above 140°F

    Section 81.09 sets hot holding at 140°F or above, which is higher than the 135°F in the FDA Food Code.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    Under the NYC Health Code, at what temperature must cold potentially hazardous food be held?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At or below 41°F

    Section 81.09 requires cold potentially hazardous food to be held at or below 41°F.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    Under the NYC Health Code, all parts of ground meat must be cooked to at least what temperature?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 158°F

    Section 81.09 requires ground meat to reach at least 158°F in all parts.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    Under the NYC Health Code, pork must be cooked so that all parts reach at least what temperature for 15 seconds?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 150°F

    Section 81.09 requires pork to reach at least 150°F in all parts for 15 seconds.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    In NYC, food has been reheated to 165°F. At what temperature must it then be held until it is served?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At or above 140°F

    Section 81.09 says reheated food must be held at or above 140°F until it is served.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    Under the NYC Health Code, cooked food must be cooled from what temperature to 70°F within 2 hours?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. From 140°F

    Section 81.09 requires rapid cooling from 140°F to 70°F within 2 hours, then to 41°F within 4 more hours.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    A NYC cook puts raw chopped onions into ground beef with bare hands, then grills the burger to 158°F. Why is bare hand contact allowed here?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Because the food will be heated to the required temperature afterward

    Section 81.07 bans bare hand contact with food unless the food will then be heated to the required minimum temperature.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    Under the NYC Health Code, which condition keeps a worker from working with food?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Having an infected wound

    Section 81.13 bars a worker with a boil or an infected wound, among other listed conditions, from working with food.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    In what year did New York City start giving restaurants letter grades?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 2010

    NYC began letter grading for restaurants in 2010. The grade is based on the points from a sanitary inspection.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    A NYC restaurant scores 18 points on its sanitary inspection. What letter grade does that score match?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. B

    In NYC, 0 to 13 points is an A, 14 to 27 points is a B, and 28 or more points is a C. Fewer points is better.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    Where must a NYC restaurant post its letter grade card?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Where people passing by can easily see it

    The Health Department says grade cards must be posted where they can easily be seen by people passing by.

What to know before the test

  • The Health Code requires supervisors of food service establishments and non-retail food processing establishments to be certified in food protection.
  • The certificate holder must be on the premises and supervise all food preparation during all hours of operation (section 81.15).
  • The online course is free, self-paced and has 15 lessons; the final exam is taken in person.
  • The classroom course is 15 hours over five days, with the final exam on the last day.
  • Final exams are offered in 37 languages, and you must bring a government-issued photo ID.
  • The Food Protection Certificate does not expire and can be used at any permitted food place in New York City.
  • NYC holds hot food at 140°F or above and cold food at 41°F or below.

Frequently asked questions

Does every NYC food worker need a Food Protection Certificate?

The Health Code rule is for supervisors: a certified supervisor must be on site whenever the place is open. Anyone can take the course, and certifying more than one staff member helps avoid gaps.

Is the NYC Food Protection Course free?

The online course is free. You pay for the in-person final exam, which you must pass to get the certificate. The classroom course has its own fee.

Can I take the final exam online?

No. After you pass the online course, you schedule an in-person final exam. Bring a government-issued photo ID.

Does the NYC Food Protection Certificate expire?

No. The Health Department says the certificate does not expire. If you lose it, you can make an appointment for a new one.

What if I fail the final exam?

You must take the online course again or register for the class again, and pay the fees again.

Sources

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