Food Service Establishment License — Metro Public Health (Nashville)

What it is. The annual food service establishment license for all food establishments in Davidson County, plus a pre-opening inspection. At least one employee must hold a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) credential. A certificate of occupancy must be obtained before Metro Public Health will schedule the pre-opening inspection (which requires the menu and equipment layout).

Who issues it. Metropolitan Public Health Department — Food Protection Services (Metro layer). Phone: 615-340-5620.

When you need it. Before opening (pre-opening inspection) and annually to keep operating.

How to apply. Submit the application, fee (tiered by seating capacity), and proof of CFPM; obtain the certificate of occupancy; pass the pre-opening inspection. High-risk establishments receive a minimum of 3 routine inspections per year.

Fees. Tiered by seating capacity — see source (⟢ VERIFY).

Renewal. Annual.

What SpoonSeal tracks. The document(s) you upload for this requirement, with automatic renewal/expiration tracking (Current, Due Soon, Expired). Where the city publishes health-inspection results (e.g., NYC and Chicago), SpoonSeal syncs them automatically; elsewhere they can be added manually.

References

• Nashville.gov — Food Protection Services — https://www.nashville.gov/departments/health/environmental-health/food-and-public-facilities/food-protection-services — Official source last checked: 2026-07-02