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New York restaurant and bar license requirements

What New York asks of restaurants and bars, rule by rule: what each license or card is, who needs it, how long it lasts, and the official source to check it against. Your city or county may add its own.

Last reviewed October 21, 2026

This is a summary to help you plan, not legal advice. Check the linked source before you rely on it.

Cards your people carry

New York City Food Protection Certificate

In New York City, a supervisor with a Food Protection Certificate must be on duty during all hours of operation. The certificate does not expire.

  • NYC Food Protection Certificate

    Who needs it
    Enough supervisors to cover every hour of operation.
    Issued by
    NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    How long it lasts
    No expiry set by this rule. See the renewal note.
Who it covers
Food service establishments in New York City. New York State has no food handler card for line staff, in the city or outside it.
Deadline
Whenever the establishment is open.
Renewal
None. The certificate does not expire, does not need renewing, and can be used at any food place in New York City.
Read closely
What a New York City kitchen has to watch is coverage, not a date: a shift with no certified supervisor on duty. Currity tracks who holds a certificate; scheduling the shifts is yours.
Official source

Licenses the business holds

New York City food service establishment permit

A New York City food service establishment permit expires one year from the end of the month it was applied for.

  • Food service establishment permit

    Who holds it
    Each establishment in New York City.
    Kind
    Health permit
    Issued by
    NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    How long it lasts
    Valid for 1 year.
Who it covers
Food service establishments in New York City. Outside the city the county health department issues the permit; this guide has not checked its terms.
Deadline
Before opening.
Renewal
Every year. A reminder comes three months before it expires. Outstanding fines must be paid, and current workers' compensation and disability insurance shown, before renewing.
Official source

State Liquor Authority license

How long a New York liquor license lasts depends on the kind: two years for a bar or restaurant serving wine or liquor, three for a liquor store or a beer only license.

  • On premises liquor or wine license

    Who holds it
    Bars and restaurants serving wine or liquor.
    Kind
    Liquor license
    Issued by
    New York State Liquor Authority
    How long it lasts
    Valid for 2 years.

  • Off premises liquor or wine license

    Who holds it
    Liquor and wine stores.
    Kind
    Liquor license
    Issued by
    New York State Liquor Authority
    How long it lasts
    Valid for 3 years.

  • Beer only license

    Who holds it
    Places selling beer only, on or off premises.
    Kind
    Liquor license
    Issued by
    New York State Liquor Authority
    How long it lasts
    Valid for 3 years.
Who it covers
Every retail licensee of the New York State Liquor Authority.
Deadline
Before selling alcohol.
Renewal
On premises wine and liquor licenses are issued for two years; off premises liquor and wine licenses and beer only licenses for three. The SLA sends a renewal advisory about three months ahead. In New York City, an on premises licensee must notify the Community Board 30 days before filing the renewal, so the working deadline is earlier than the expiry.
Official source

Keep these current for every restaurant or bar you run.

Currity keeps every date on this page for each person and location, and warns you about each one 90, 60 and 30 days out, then 14, 7 and 1, and on the day.

Start freeHave us load your listHow Currity works for restaurants and bars

From $10 a month. 14 days free, no card.