In 2018, all eligible District of Columbia Public/Charter Schools were enrolled in the Public School Cafeteria Realignment Project which:
- caused all existing licenses to be converted from Restaurant to School Cafeteria (DC)
- ensured no fees were charged for licenses issued DCPS/Charter Schools (DC Official Code: § 47–2827, e3)
- expires all licenses on same date every 4 years beginning July 31, 2022
- defaulted license term to 4 years
- ensured licenses were renewed prior to the end of each 4-year term by DLCP.
Effective August 10, 2026, DCPS and DCPCS will manage their School Cafeteria licenses via BOSS.
Business Activity
School Cafeteria (DC)
Requirements
- Certificate of Occupancy
- Corporate Registration (applicable to charter schools only)
- DC Health Inspection Report
- Tax Registration & Clean Hands Certificate
*** Your school is required to schedule and pass routine DC Health Inspections through the duration of your license term. Please contact the Foods Safety & Hygiene Division at DC Health, (202) 535-2180, for more information.***
Fee Schedule
Public School Cafeteria (DC Public/Charter School Only) Fee
-
4-year license - $0
Apply ONLINE
Apply for, Amend or Renew your school's School Cafeteria license online at BOSS.
IMPORTANT: The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection cooperates with other District of Columbia Government agencies to ensure applicants/licensees comply with all applicable D.C. Official Codes and Municipal Regulations. The agency reserves the right to request additional documentation and/or proof of inspection(s).