Rules Governing the Sanitation of Food Service Establishments
Rule (15A NCAC 18A .2662 GRADING)
(a) The grading of food establishments is based on a system of scoring. A food establishment that
earns a score of at least:
(1) 90 percent shall receive a grade A;
(2) 80 percent and less than 90 percent shall receive a grade B;
(3) 70 percent and less than 80 percent shall receive a grade C.
Permits shall be immediately revoked in accordance with G.S. 130A-23(d) for food establishments
receiving a score of less than 70 percent.
(b) The posted grade card shall be black on a white background. All graphics, letters, and numbers for
the grade card shall be approved as meeting the standards in this Paragraph by the State. The
alphabetical and numerical rating shall be 1.5 inches in height. No other public displays
representing sanitation level of the establishment may be posted by the regulatory authority, except
for sanitation awards issued by the local health department. Sanitation awards shall be in a different
color and size from the grade card and must be labeled as an award.
Rule (15A NCAC 18A .2600) Food Inspections Prior to September 1, 2012.
"An establishment shall receive a credit of two points on its score for each inspection if a manager or
other employee responsible for operation of that establishment and who is employed full time in that
particular establishment has successfully completed in the past three years a food service sanitation
program approved by the Department. An approved food service sanitation program shall equivalent
to the ServSafe Manager Certification course of the National Restaurant Association. The course shall
include a minimum of 12 contact hours. Evidence that a person has completed such a program shall be
maintained at the establishment and provided to the Environmental Health Specialist upon request.
An establishment shall score at least 70 percent on an inspection in order to be eligible for this credit."