Process for Earning the ProStart National Certification of Achievement

How do I earn my ProStart National Certificate of Achievement in Maryland?

• Pass ProStart Year One Final Exam given by your instructor
• Pass ProStart Year Two Final Exam given by your instructor

• Have an Employer Agreement on file at your School

• Complete 400 hours of work experience.  This proof can be submitted in letter form from your employer(s) or by submitting pay stubs.  150 hours of this work experience may be unpaid.  250 hours MUST be paid work experience.  Additional information is available on the 400 Internship Hour Policy. 
  

        ►      Proof will need to be submitted by your
           instructor or guidance counselor to the Director
           of Workforce Development at The Maryland
           Hospitality Education Foundation (MHEF).

• Complete a Student Work Experience Checklist and have it signed by your employer(s).

        ►      After your employer has checked at least 50
           of the 72 competencies and signed the form,
           your instructor will submit this form to MHEF.

• Submit a Student Workplace Validation Form to MHEF.

     ►      Complete the top portion of the form.

        ►      Provide a copy of any Employer Agreements

        ►      Provide proof of 400 hours Work Experience

        ►      Provide a copy of the Student Work Experience Checklist

        ►      The Director of Workforce Development at MHEF
           will then sign the Student Workplace Validation
           form and fax it to the NRAEF.

Upon processing this form and verifying that the student passed both ProStart Year One and Year Two final exams, a ProStart National Certificate of Achievement will be issued by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and mailed back to the address on file – (indicated on the last ProStart class that the student participated in).

WAIT, YOU’RE NOT DONE! – You must apply for the Scholarship

Once you receive your ProStart National Certificate of Achievement by mail you must apply for the scholarship in order to be eligible.

• Go to the following web page for Application Instructions and to Apply Online:

          https://www.nraef.org/scholarships/prostart/

If you do not have access to the internet at home or through your school contact MHEF so they can assist you.