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

Wayne Township Code § 90-12A requires all retail food service establishments to have in their employ at least one full-time Person in Charge (PIC) who has successfully completed an accredited food safety protection program. The rule targets the PIC, defined in § 90-9 as the individual present who is responsible for the establishment during all hours of operation, not every employee. A 'Food Manager's Certificate' means completion of an accredited food protection manager's certification program recognized by the Conference for Food Protection and approved by the Health Officer.

Timing rules follow. Under § 90-12B, no new establishment, or existing establishment that has changed ownership, can operate more than 60 days without its PIC completing the program, and § 90-12C sets a six-month limit. Subsection D requires establishments to notify the Health Officer within 60 days when a certified PIC's employment ends and to say what measures are being taken to comply. Under subsection E, anyone hired or promoted into the PIC role must complete the program first, or the owner's representative must register the person for the next available program unless a certified PIC is already on the premises. Under subsection F the applicant bears the cost, as provided in Chapter 75, Fees. Under subsection G the certificate cannot be given, loaded, transferred or used by another person.

The Health Department provides an accredited course at a minimum of once per year under § 90-11, and the Health Officer grants reciprocity to other equivalent accredited courses. Section 90-13A requires the valid certificate to be posted with the latest inspection placard near the entrance. Section 90-14 exempts agricultural markets, public or semipublic covered dish suppers and routine meal functions of religious, nonprofit or charitable institutions, with one week of notice to the Health Department.