Washington Food Handler Card: A Comprehensive Guide

A food handler card — also known as a food handler certificate, license, or permit — proves that you have completed a food safety course.

Owing to the importance of food safety for the prevention of foodborne illnesses, many states and counties require food workers to earn a food handler card.

However, you may wonder whether Washington or any of its counties require a food handler card.

This article explains everything you need to know about a Washington food handler card, including whether you need one, how to earn one, and more.

Do you need a food handler card in Washington?

Washington state requires that all food workers earn a food worker card or food handler permit from the state within 14 days of employment (1).

A food worker is anyone who works with unpackaged food, food equipment or utensils, or with any surface where people put unwrapped food.

Food workers work at places like:

restaurants
snack bars
cafeterias
taverns
bars
retail food stores
supermarkets
retail meat markets

Washington also requires a food handler card to work at facilities such as schools, hospitals, jails, prisons, child care facilities, and nursing homes.

Summary

Washington requires that all food workers earn a food handler card from the state within 14 days of employment at a food establishment.

How to get a Washington food handler card?

To earn a Washington food handler card, you must take the state course and pass the exam, which you can do in-person or online.

The training program covers the safe preparation and handling of food.

There is only one authorized online training program, which you can find here.

No other food handler training programs — including FoodSafePal’s — are valid in Washington.

A Washington food handler card — whether earned online or in-person — costs $10.

Once earned, your Washington food handler card is valid anywhere in the state, so, if you move or get another job in a different county, your food handler card follows you.

A food handler card earned in a different state is not valid in Washington.

Summary

To earn a Washington food handler card, you must take the state course and pass the exam, which you can do in-person or online.

How long does a Washington food handler card last?

A Washington food handler card is valid for two years the first time you earn it.

Before the card expires, you must take the state course and pass the exam again.

Renewal cards are valid for three years.

However, if you can show that you have had additional food safety training within the past two years, your Washington food handler card is good for five years.

Washington requires that you keep your card, or a copy of it, with you at work so you can provide proof of your training to health inspectors.

You should also provide a copy to your manager.

If you earned your Washington food handler card online and lose it, you can reprint another for free up to 30 days after completing the test.

After 30 days, you may be charged a fee.

If you earned your food handler card in-person and lost it, contact your local health department.

Summary

A Washington food handler card is good for two years from the date you earn it. Renewal food handler card are good for three years, or five years if you have had additional food safety training.

The bottom line

Washington state requires that all food workers earn a food worker card or food handler permit from the state within 14 days of employment.

To earn a Washington food handler card, you must take the state course and pass the test, which you can do in-person or online.

A Washington food handler card is good for two years from the date you earn it. Renewal cards are good for three years, or five years if you have had additional food safety training.