Earn Recognition as an APCAEF Apprenticeship Program
Already running an apprenticeship program? Explore the benefits of partnering your program with APCA.
Existing apprenticeship programs can earn APCAFEF recognition, verifying the credibility of your current program through the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation as the third-party approver.
Upon successful completion of the program, apprentices are eligible for APCA certification and will have the education, skills and job experience needed to earn higher wages and have better job opportunities.
Benefits of APCA Recognition
- Improve recruitment and retention.
- Develop qualified staff that can earn APCA certification.
- Validate quality that your program meets industry standards.
- Increase visibility and attendance by being listed on the APCA website.
- Enhance your brand value by promoting your program as APCA -recognized.
- Connect your apprentices with a network of apprentices and industry professionals across the country.
APCAEF Apprenticeship Recognition Levels
ACFEF offers three different levels of recognition with a progressive ladder and the corresponding APCA certification at the completion of that program. Apprentices must complete a written and practical exam at the end of their apprenticeship to earn APCA certification. APCA certification is encouraged, but not required for apprentices to complete the apprenticeship program.
Fundamentals Cook:
The program offers a minimum of 1,000 hours of on-the-job training and 90 hours of related instruction. The apprentice can earn their APCA Certified Fundamental Cook or APCA Certified Fundamental Pastry Cook credential after completing the program and exams.
Culinarian
The program offers a minimum of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 240 hours APCA Certified Culinarian or APCA Certified Pastry Culinarian credential after completing the program and exams.
Sous Chef
The program of related instruction. The apprentice can earn their offers a minimum of 4,000 hours of on-the-job training and 420 hours of related instruction. The apprentice can earn their APCA Certified Sous Chef or Certified Working Pastry Chef credential after completing the program and exams.
Eligibility Requirements
- Program must meet the APCA National Apprenticeship Program Standards that are compliant with the Department of Labor’s 29 CFR Part 29.5 Standards of Apprenticeship.
- Program must offer on-the-job training at a Place of Employment under a Supervising Chef and allow the apprentice to complete the Required Skills Competencies across ten (10) OJT Sections.
- Apprentices are paid a progressively increasing schedule of wages.
- Supervising chef to apprentice ratio cannot exceed 1:5.
- Program must offer the required Related Instruction at an institution using Qualified Culinary Instructors.
- Requirements will be validated by two APCA evaluators (one industry, one educator). The site visit may be conducted in-person, virtually or a combination of both.
Maintaining Recognition
- Programs must submit an annual report and fee.
- First renewal is three (3) years from initial ACFEF recognition. Renewals require the completion of an application, self-study, and site visit.
- Every renewal forward is five (5) years.
Program Fees
- Initial application fee: $1,750 (includes proprietary RKSCs and site visit)
- Renewal fee: $1,500 (includes site visit)
- Annual maintenance fee: $150
* Programs that do not meet the eligibility requirements will be refunded the initial application fee minus a nonrefundable processing fee of $150. Proprietary RKSCs are provided to eligible programs only.
Apprentice Fees*
- Fundamental (1 year): $150
- Culinarian (2 years): $200
- Sous Chef (3 years): $250
* Apprentice fees include:
- APCA national student membership
- Access to free webinars and recorded presentations on the APCA Online Learning Center
- APCA certification fees for the corresponding level, including access to the practice written exam.
- Access to the Apprenticeship Portal (optional, not required)