Washington State requires that all food workers have food safety training and pass the State of Washington exam on food safety basics before handling food served to the public.
It is recommended that all food workers review the food worker manual, “Food Safety is Everybody’s Business,” prior to testing. Copies of the manual are available from the WA State Department of Health.
Online Testing for Food Worker Cards is available (Technical Information needed for online testing here.) Upon completion of the test, a certificate of passing will be issued. Note: the certificate of passing is not a Food Worker Card. After passing the test, you must pay $10 either online and an electronic Food Worker Card will be issued, or to the Health District to obtain a Food Worker Card directly from the Health District.
If you are renewing your Food Worker Card, you may get a three year renewal card if a valid unexpired Food Worker Card is submitted with payment.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
$10 cash/check/credit card. For a three year card you must bring your unexpired card. No children, food or drinks allowed in the testing area.
WHEN WILL I GET MY CARD?
The card will be issued to you at the counter when you pass the test.
WHEN WILL MY CARD EXPIRE?
If this is your first food worker card, your card has expired, or you did not bring your current card with you, your card will expire two years from the day of
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY OTHER INTERNET TESTING SITES.
They do not produce WA Food Worker Cards. The WA Food Worker Card Testing Website is the only online site that produces valid WA Food Worker Cards.
Frequently Asked Questions about food worker cards from WA State Department of Health
The Health District has computers available for taking the online test on the 1st floor Monday-Thursday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Please note: The latest start time is 3:30 PM. The instruction and testing lasts approximately 1 hour and is on a “first come, first served” basis.
Outreach Testing Sites
All 30 North Central Regional Library branches have public access computers and printers which are available for anyone needing to take the Food Worker Test online. For a complete list of library locations and hours, visit www.ncrl.org. If you do not have library card, please ask the librarian for assistance in logging in to one of the computers.
Wenatchee Valley College Library
Monday to Thursday 8 AM – 7 PM & Friday 8 AM – 5 PM
Summer hours are Monday to Friday 8 AM – 5 PM
Closed when classes are not in session
Additional Food Safety Training for Food Workers
Normally, Washington State food worker cards that are renewed are valid for 3 years from the date of issuance. However, a food worker may be granted a renewal card valid for 5 years, if the food worker documents that they have attended “additional food safety training” within the past 2 years.
“Additional food safety training” is the completion of any approved, comprehensive food safety training that lasted at least 4 hours. Training must include topics such as proper cooking, hot-holding, cold-holding, cooling of potentially hazardous foods, cross-contamination prevention, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), and proper hand washing techniques.
An unapproved course can’t be used to get an extended 5-year food worker card.
You must be able to prove completion of an approved course to receive a 5-year card.
Even with this additional training, a food worker must also successfully complete the required food worker card training and exam to renew the card. “Additional food safety training” doesn’t replace the required Washington State food safety training class or exam.
For a current list of state approved “Additional Food Safety Training,” see the WA State Department of Health webpage.
