Washington Food Worker Card Practice Test

Washington runs its own food worker card program: a $10 course and test, due within 14 days of starting work. This free practice test mixes questions on Washington's rules (the deadline, the 2-, 3-, and 5-year cards, and who needs one) with the food safety questions the state's course covers.

Want to review away from the screen? "Food Handler Card Audio Cram," our own roughly 57-minute audio session from Kanti Press, walks through the same topics as this test, so you can study on the bus or the walk to work.

The food handlers test in Washington

In Washington, the food handlers test is the test at the end of the state food worker card course. A food card test is that same exam. The official online course and test are at foodworkercard.wa.gov, and some local health departments give the class and the test in person. You take the course, pass the test, pay $10, and the card is issued. This page is free practice for that test.

The state course takes about an hour. Get the card within 14 days of starting work. A first card is valid for 2 years. An on-time renewal is valid for 3 years, and a 5-year card is available with extra approved training. The quiz above mixes Washington's rules — the deadline, who needs a card, and the 2-, 3-, and 5-year cards — with the food safety topics the state course teaches. The 30-question round includes every Washington-specific question in our bank. The quick round includes 5 of them. Our Washington Food Worker Card: How to Get Certified Step by Step has the steps and the rule citations, including why cards from other states are not accepted.

Washington questions and answers

Take the test first: this section gives the answers away. Here is every Washington-specific question in the test, with the rule behind it. The rest of the test comes from our core bank, and Food Handler Test Questions and Answers lists all of those.

1. 1How soon after starting work must a Washington food worker get a food worker card?

   1. Within 30 days
   2. Within 14 calendar days
   3. Within 60 days
   4. Within 90 days

   Answer: B. Within 14 calendar days

   WAC 246-217-015 allows 14 calendar days. Until you have the card, your employer must give you food safety training before you handle food, and document it. Review this in the Washington guide

2. 2How much does a Washington food worker card cost?

   1. Nothing
   2. $25
   3. $10
   4. $15

   Answer: C. $10

   The fee is $10, set statewide by state rule, whether you take the course online or in person. Review this in the Washington guide

3. 3Where can you take Washington’s food worker card course online?

   1. On any site that sells a “Washington card”
   2. Only at foodworkercard.wa.gov
   3. With any ANSI-accredited provider
   4. Only through ServSafe

   Answer: B. Only at foodworkercard.wa.gov

   The state’s official course at foodworkercard.wa.gov is the only authorized online option. Some local health departments also offer the class and test in person. Review this in the Washington guide

4. 4How long is your first Washington food worker card valid?

   1. 5 years
   2. 1 year
   3. 2 years
   4. 3 years

   Answer: C. 2 years

   A first card lasts two years. On-time renewals last three years, or five with qualifying extra training. Review this in the Washington guide

5. 5You renew your Washington card before it expires. How long is the new card valid?

   1. 3 years
   2. 10 years
   3. 2 years
   4. 1 year

   Answer: A. 3 years

   On-time renewals get a three-year card, and you can renew up to 60 days early. Let it expire first and the renewal only gets two years. Review this in the Washington guide

6. 6What can earn a 5-year Washington food worker card at renewal?

   1. At least 4 hours of approved extra food safety training in the past 2 years
   2. Working at the same restaurant for 5 years
   3. Scoring 100% on the test
   4. Paying a $50 fee

   Answer: A. At least 4 hours of approved extra food safety training in the past 2 years

   If you hold a current card and have completed at least 4 hours of approved additional food safety training, such as a food protection manager course, in the past two years, your renewal card lasts five years. Review this in the Washington guide

7. 7You move to Seattle with a valid California food handler card. What do you need?

   1. A $10 transfer fee only
   2. A letter from your old employer
   3. Nothing; it transfers
   4. A Washington food worker card within 14 days

   Answer: D. A Washington food worker card within 14 days

   Cards from other states, ServSafe cards, and ANSI-accredited certificates are not valid in Washington. You need the Washington card. Review this in the Washington guide

8. 8Who on a Washington food truck needs a food worker card?

   1. No one; food trucks are exempt
   2. Only the owner
   3. Every food worker on the truck
   4. Only the person in charge each shift

   Answer: C. Every food worker on the truck

   A food truck is a mobile unit, not a temporary event, so every food worker needs a card within 14 days. The narrower person-in-charge rule applies only at temporary food events. Review this in the Washington guide

How the real Washington exam works

The real card comes only from the state's program: online at foodworkercard.wa.gov, or in person at some local health departments. You take the course, pass the test, pay $10, and get a card valid for two years, then three years with each on-time renewal. Our Washington Food Worker Card: How to Get Certified Step by Step walks through each step, with sources.

Want more practice away from the screen? The Food Handler Practice Exam Pack has 100 questions on the core food safety rules every state tests, as four printable exams of 25 with an answer key at the back. It doesn't cover state-specific rules; this page's test does.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the official Washington food worker card test?

No. The only official online course and test are at foodworkercard.wa.gov, and passing there is what gets you the card. This practice test covers Washington's rules and the food safety topics the state course teaches.

Do I need a Washington card if I have one from another state?

Yes. Washington doesn't accept cards from other states, ServSafe, or ANSI-accredited providers. Get the Washington card within 14 days of starting work.