States › Washington
Washington Alcohol Server Training Requirements (2026)
Washington requires alcohol server/seller training statewide. MAST permit for servers, bartenders and managers at on-premises licensees (WAC 314-17). New hires: Within 60 days of hire (tasting staff: before working). Validity: 5 years; not renewable - retake course.
⚠ Sources disagree
- TIPS's 2025 list omits Washington; Responsibility.org and WAC 314-17 confirm it is mandatory.
We follow the official state source.
Key facts
| Status | Mandatory statewide |
|---|---|
| Scope | MAST permit for servers, bartenders and managers at on-premises licensees (WAC 314-17). |
| Who must be trained | servers, bartenders, managers, tasting staff |
| New-hire deadline | Within 60 days of hire (tasting staff: before working) |
| Certificate validity | 5 years; not renewable - retake course |
| Approved programs | See official list (not transcribed) |
| Generic national courses accepted? | Not confirmed |
| Online allowed? | Yes |
| Typical cost (published) | Not published by the state |
| Incentives | None noted |
| Notable local mandates | None noted |
| Recent changes | None noted |
Official approved-course list ↗
Which course should I take?
- Pick a provider from the official Washington approved list (linked below). Many national brands sell a state-approved Washington version, but check the course name matches the list exactly.
- Your certificate lasts about 5 year(s) here. Set a free renewal reminder →
Affiliate disclosure: Some course links on this site may become affiliate links (currently placeholders). If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which courses a state approves.
Frequently asked questions
Is alcohol server training required in Washington?
Yes. MAST permit for servers, bartenders and managers at on-premises licensees (WAC 314-17).
How long do new hires have to get certified in Washington?
Within 60 days of hire (tasting staff: before working)
How long is a Washington alcohol server certificate valid?
5 years; not renewable - retake course
Which courses are approved in Washington?
Check the official source linked on this page; we have not transcribed a provider list for this state.
Sources
- WSLCB: Get an Alcohol Server Permit official
- WAC 314-17-020 official
- TIPS: Which States Require Alcohol Server Training? (2025) cross-check
- Responsibility.org Alcohol Service Training position paper (data as of Jan 12, 2026) cross-check
Notes
- Class 12 (21+) and Class 13 (18-20) permits.
- NIAAA APIS could not be fetched (HTTP 403 to automated tools); APIS figures used only via a 2025 PMC article citing APIS (23 states mandate RBS in some capacity).
- State maintains its own approved-provider list (see approved_list_url); individual provider names not transcribed.
Spot an error or a rule change? Email us at hello@servertrainingbystate.com.