Bayonne, NJ Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)

Bayonne City Code § 21-7.2 requires that "all Risk Type 3 retail food service establishments shall have in their employment at least one full time certified food service manager," and managers must be certified before employment or promotion as required by N.J.A.C. 8:24-11.3. The Division of Health issues the certificate once the applicant passes an ANSI-CFP-approved exam; it is valid for five years unless revoked or suspended by the Health Officer, and managers must recertify before expiration. Section 21-7.3 sets up a six-hour training program covering food, facility, handler and inspection-report codes, taught by the Health Officer or designee, followed by a proctored ANSI-CFP exam with a minimum passing score of 70 out of 100.

An applicant who fails the first exam may retake it once without repeating the six-hour course; a second failure requires repeating the full course. Training fees, set by the Director of Administration, must be paid before training starts, and every exam-taker must present valid government photo ID. Under § 21-7.4, the completed certificate must be posted with the establishment's latest inspection report in a conspicuous spot at the public entrance. Section 21-7.5 lists the certified manager's ongoing duties: keeping food operations out of private living quarters, restricting food-prep and warewashing areas to necessary personnel, and monitoring employee handwashing, receiving temperatures, cooking and cooling temperatures, and sanitizing procedures under N.J.A.C.

8:24-1 et seq. Section 21-7.6 lets the Health Officer revoke or suspend a certificate, but only after issuing a notice of violation and holding a hearing at which the manager can respond.