Providence, RI Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- § 10-7 and § 10-8
- Exam frequency
- At least semiannually
- Issuing authority
- Superintendent of health
- Certificate must be
- Retained and shown on request
- Employer penalty
- Code violation, § 10-10
Summary
Anyone preparing or serving food in Providence's restaurants, lunch stands, and soda fountains must hold a health certificate issued by the superintendent of health before working.
No person without the certificate hereinafter provided shall be engaged in the preparation or serving of food or drink in any licensed victualling house or tavern, or in any lunch stand, ice cream parlor, lunch wagon, soda water fountain or other public eating place where food or drink is provided in the city.
(Ord. 1929, ch. 712, § 1; Rev. Ords. 1946, ch. 14, § 2)
State Law reference— Health certificates, §§ 21-27-3, 21-27-4, Gen. Laws 1956.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 7).
Full Breakdown
City code requires every person who prepares or serves food in a victualling house, tavern, lunch stand, ice cream parlor, lunch wagon, soda water fountain, or other public eating place to first pass a health exam. The superintendent of health (or a designated physician) examines workers at least semiannually to screen for contagious disease, then issues a certificate the worker must keep and show to any health or police officer on request. A worker may instead use a physician of their own choosing, but that physician's findings must be returned to the superintendent of health before a certificate is issued.
Violations & Fines
Working without a valid health certificate, or an owner/manager knowingly employing someone without one, is a violation of the Code under § 10-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs a food handler health certificate in Providence?
How often are food handlers examined?
What happens if an employer hires someone without a certificate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Providence
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