Food Handler (North Carolina)

First published: September 1, 2026Last verified: September 2, 2026Reviewed by the CertQuestUSA team

TL;DR

Food Handler (North Carolina): a 151-question practice bank for the real Food Safety standard, 3 full papers of 50 questions each with no repeats, every question citing the real regulation it comes from.

Where these questions come from

Every question in this bank cites a real source -- primarily FDA Food Code Ch. (69%) and FDA Food Code 2022 Preface (11%) of this exam's citations.

Not sure where you stand? Take the free diagnostic — 10 real questions across the exam's domains, no sign-up required, with a domain-by-domain breakdown at the end.

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3

full papers, no repeats

50

questions per paper

151

questions in the bank

What this exam covers

Allergen Awareness13%
Cleaning and Sanitizing13%
Preventing Cross-Contamination13%
Personal Hygiene and Health Reporting13%
Foodborne Illness and Risk Factors13%
Time and Temperature Control13%
Nc Agency And Legal Framework3%
Nc Cfpm Rule Details4%
Nc Food Code Adoption History3%
Nc Home Processor Cottage Food2%
Nc Individual Vs Cfpm Requirement3%
Nc Mobile Pushcart Special Provisions2%
Nc Permitting Grading System4%

5 real sample questions

What happens to an NC food establishment permit if the required fee is not paid within 60 days of billing by the Department?

A. The Department may suspend the permit

B. Nothing, fees are optional

C. The establishment is immediately closed by law enforcement

D. The owner is charged with a Class H felony

Source: N.C.G.S. 130A-248(d1)

Under NC law, what must serve as the base of operations for a permitted pushcart?

A. Any public parking lot with a permit sticker

B. A permitted restaurant or commissary

C. The vendor's personal residence

D. A county-owned market pavilion

Source: N.C.G.S. 130A-248(c1)

Per 15A NCAC 18A .2662, what are the specifications for a posted NC food establishment grade card?

A. Any color combination the owner prefers, letters at least 6 inches tall

B. Black lettering on a white background, with the alphabetical/numerical rating 1.5 inches in height

C. Digital display only, updated in real time via a state app

D. Green/yellow/red stoplight system with no lettering

Source: 15A NCAC 18A .2662

Besides the official grade card, what else may a local health department post at a food establishment under Rule .2662?

A. A second, unofficial customer-satisfaction rating

B. A list of the establishment's health code violations for the past 5 years

C. A separately colored and sized sanitation award, clearly labeled as an award

D. Nothing else may ever be displayed

Source: 15A NCAC 18A .2662

What is the standard NC DHHS food establishment permit fee under G.S. 130A-248(d)?

A. $50

B. $75

C. $500 per year

D. $120, reassessed annually for permits that don't expire

Source: N.C.G.S. 130A-248(d)

Same exam, other states

AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA SC TN TX UT VA WA WI WV

Real-world data for this exam

Food Preparation Workers: real median wage (NC)May 2025$30,260/yr

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the CertQuestUSA Food Handler (North Carolina) practice test?

151 questions total, split into 3 full papers of 50 each with no repeats across papers.

What topics does the Food Handler (North Carolina) test cover?

13 domains, with the heaviest weight on Allergen Awareness (13%), Cleaning and Sanitizing (13%), and Preventing Cross-Contamination (13%).

Where do CertQuestUSA's Food Handler (North Carolina) questions come from?

Primarily FDA Food Code Ch. (69%) and FDA Food Code 2022 Preface (11%) of this bank's citations -- computed directly from this exam's own question sources, not a generic description.

Is there a free diagnostic for Food Handler (North Carolina)?

Yes -- 10 real questions across the exam's domains, no sign-up required, with a domain-by-domain breakdown at the end.