National Certificate of Achievement

Earning the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement

The ProStart® National Certificate of Achievement (COA) is an industry-recognized certificate that signifies a strong foundation in the basic management and culinary skills considered critical to success by industry leaders. To earn the ProStart National COA, a student must pass the National Restaurant Association’s Year 1 and Year 2 exams, and complete 400 hours of mentored work experience.

For Industry

This means you can be assured that a credentialed ProStart graduate is cross-trained in all aspects of a restaurant’s operations and is ready to hit the ground running. A student who has earned the COA has demonstrated a commitment to and knowledge of the industry, reducing turnover and training costs.

For Students

The ProStart National COA is your passport to the future. Earning the COA can give you a leg up in your job search, and opens the door to collegiate opportunities. Numerous restaurant, foodservice and hospitality programs offer benefits to ProStart graduates. These include scholarships, class credits and credit towards work experience requirements. To learn more about the benefits offered to ProStart graduates at more than 60 colleges and universities, download the National ProStart Collegiate Passport.