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Hospitality, Events, & Tourism · Culinary & Food Services

Chef or head cook: years as a line cook, culinary school, or a cook apprenticeship

Chefs and head cooks typically need a high school diploma and years of kitchen experience, often starting as line cooks. Some attend a culinary program at a community college, technical school, culinary arts school or 4-year college; others learn through apprenticeships, some registered with the U.S. Department of Labor.

For: Creative, fast, steady cooks who like leading a team through early mornings, late nights and weekends.

See the roadmap Chef & Head Cook guide

Route 1: Kitchen helper → line cook → chef Typical

Many spend years in kitchens before they have enough experience to be promoted; some train in mentorship programs under an experienced chef.

  1. Start here

    Kitchen helper or food preparation worker

    Teaches basic skills.

    BLS
    Cooks — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

  2. Years

    Line cook, learning from the chefs you work for

    BLS
    Chefs and Head Cooks — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

  3. License

    Food handler's certification

    Some states and localities require it.

    BLS
    Chefs and Head Cooks — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

  4. Goal

    Chef or head cook

    BLS
    Chefs and Head Cooks — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Route 2: Culinary program (a few months to 4 years) School

Students spend most of their time in kitchens; most programs require an internship or apprenticeship in a commercial kitchen.

  1. Start here

    High school diploma (may be required)

    BLS
    Cooks — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

  2. Months to 2 years (or a 4-year degree)

    Culinary program

    Menu planning, food sanitation, purchasing and inventory.

    BLS
    Chefs and Head Cooks — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

  3. Then

    Entry-level cook, then years of experience

    BLS
    Cooks — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

  4. Goal

    Chef or head cook

    BLS
    Chefs and Head Cooks — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Route 3: Registered Apprenticeship: cook, then chief cook Earn while you learn

Apprenticeship programs for cooks typically require age 17 and a high school diploma; apprentices learn sanitation, knife skills and equipment, then cook under a chef.

  1. Start here

    Age 17 + high school diploma

    BLS
    Cooks — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

  2. 4,000 hours

    Cook (Hotel & Restaurant), RAPIDS 0663

    Time-based minimum term: 4,000 hours.

    USDOL
    Approved occupations for Registered Apprenticeship (spreadsheet: RAPIDS code, type, minimum term)U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship (Apprenticeship.gov)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026

    Linked from apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-occupations. Term lengths are hours of on-the-job learning; time-based programs list one figure, hybrid programs a range.

    View source

  3. 2,000 hours

    Cook, Chief (Chefs and Head Cooks), RAPIDS 1053

    Time-based minimum term: 2,000 hours.

    USDOL
    Approved occupations for Registered Apprenticeship (spreadsheet: RAPIDS code, type, minimum term)U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship (Apprenticeship.gov)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026

    Linked from apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-occupations. Term lengths are hours of on-the-job learning; time-based programs list one figure, hybrid programs a range.

    View source

  4. Goal

    Chef or head cook

    BLS
    Chefs and Head Cooks — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
    Checked
    21 Oct 2026
    View source

Licenses, registrations and certifications

Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.

Certified Culinarian (CC)
American Culinary Federation (ACF) · Voluntary
A high school diploma with two years of entry-level experience, or an associate's in culinary arts (no experience), or an ACFEF apprenticeship; 30-hour courses in nutrition, food safety and supervisory management; written and practical exams. Renewed every five years.
ACF
Certified Culinarian (CC)American Culinary Federation
Checked
21 Oct 2026
View source
Food handler's certification
Some states and localities · Employer may require
Contact your state or local licensing board.
BLS
Chefs and Head Cooks — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
Checked
21 Oct 2026
View source
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What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.

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Every step links to the official page it came from (regulators, licensing boards, the law), checked 21 Oct 2026. State and city licensing rules change: confirm with the board where you will work before you pay any fee. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses. All careers →