Q: WHAT IS PROSTART?
A: ProStart® is a nationwide, Career & Technical Education program for high school students created by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and implemented in Iowa by the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation. The ProStart program develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and hospitality industry leaders. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart’s comprehensive curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and builds practical, transferable skills and a long-lasting foundation for the future.

Q: WHAT IS A COA?
A: The ProStart National Certificate of Achievement (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 benefits include scholarships, class credits and credit towards work experience requirements.

To earn the ProStart National COA, a student must pass “The Foundations of Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts” Level 1 and Level 2 exams, document 400 hours of work experience and demonstrate proficiency on more than 50 workplace competencies. Work experience can come from paid jobs, school-based enterprises or relevant volunteer work.

Q: HOW CAN MY SCHOOL GET INVOLVED IN PROSTART?
A: Contact Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation Executive Director May Schaben to learn more and get involved. 515-276-1454 or mschaben@restaurantiowa.com.

Q: HOW DO I ADMINISTER THE PROSTART EXAM?
A: CLICK HERE for step by step instructions from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

Q: HOW DO I EARN MY COA?
A. CLICK HERE for step by step instructions from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

Q: HOW DO I TRACK MY COA PROGRESS?
A. CLICK HERE and login to your NRAEF profile to begin tracking your progress.

Q: I’M A RESTAURANT OWNER/OPERATOR/CHEF. CAN I GET INVOLVED IN PROSTART?
A. Yes! ProStart classes across the state are constantly looking for culinary and management mentors. Interested in becoming a mentor? CLICK HERE for a ProStart Mentor Fact Sheet and contact May Schaben to get connected with a ProStart school near you today. 515-276-1454 or mschaben@restaurantiowa.com.