Skip to content
State Cert Guide

Independent guide, not a government agency. We earn commissions on some links.

Do I need a MAST permit to serve alcohol in Washington?

Yes, if you serve, mix or sell alcohol that people drink on site, or supervise its sale. You also need one to run tastings at a store that sells alcohol to go, or to fill growlers at a grocery store. Washington calls it a MAST permit. Private companies certified by the Liquor and Cannabis Board teach the class, online or in a classroom. Check the board's list first.

By State Cert GuideChecked against the sources listed below.Published · Updated Report a mistake

The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
The class length is a minimum of three hours with an exam at the endThe class runs at least three hours, with an exam at the end.
Verified. Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board · MAST FAQs (opens state website) · checked Nov 12, 2026
Cost
The LCB does not regulate the cost of the training and the costs varyThe Liquor and Cannabis Board doesn't regulate the price, and it varies from provider to provider. We haven't confirmed a free class.
Verified. Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board · Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (opens state website) · checked Nov 12, 2026
Valid for
The MAST permit is good for five years and is not renewableYour permit is good for five years. It can't be renewed, so you take a new class.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check that the rule covers your job. If you're a server, bartender or manager at a place licensed to sell liquor for drinking on site, you need a permit within 60 days of your initial hire date. You also need one if you run alcohol tastings at a business licensed for off-premises sales, or fill growlers at a grocery store. People who run alcohol tastings at an approved location don't get those 60 days.

  2. Step 2. Pick a class from the Liquor and Cannabis Board's Find a Class list. Your age sets your permit: Class 12 if you're 21 or older, Class 13 if you're 18 to 20. The companies on that list are private, certified by the board, and run independently from it.

  3. Step 3. Take the class online or in a classroom. If you go online, you can log out and pick it up later, so you don't have to finish in one sitting. Plan on at least three hours, with an exam at the end.

  4. Step 4. Wait for your permit in the mail. When you pass the class and exam, your provider mails you the permit and reports it to the board within 30 days. If it doesn't arrive, contact the provider, and look yourself up in the board's permit checker.

Before you pay

Pick your class from the board's Find a Class list, then check the provider's own page.

Ask what the class costs. The board doesn't regulate the price.

Check your age. If you're 18 to 20, you get a Class 13 permit, and your provider can upgrade it to a Class 12.

Write down the provider's name and contact details. You need them if the permit doesn't arrive within 30 days.

Take a new class before your permit runs out. There is no grace period after it expires.

Questions

What is a MAST permit?

MAST stands for Mandatory Alcohol Server Training. You take a class and an exam from a private provider the board has certified, and the provider mails you the permit.

How long do I have to get a MAST permit after I'm hired?

Servers, bartenders and managers at on-premises locations have 60 days after the initial hire date. There is no temporary permit. People who run alcohol tastings at an approved location must hold a Class 12 permit and don't get a 60-day grace period.

How long is a MAST permit good for?

Five years. It expires on the first day of the month after the month you took your test. You can't renew it. The board advises taking a new class before it expires, because there is no grace period once it does.

What if I lose my permit?

Your course provider or the board can replace it as long as it's still valid. Check the board's permit checker first. An expired permit doesn't show up there.

Do I have to carry my permit?

You must have it, plus a valid ID, ready for inspection by law enforcement whenever you sell, serve or handle alcohol. Without the required permit in time, you may get a criminal citation with a fine, jail time or both. Your employer may also be fined, have its license suspended, or both.

Does my employer keep my permit?

No. The permit is yours, not your employer's. If your employer asks, give a copy and keep the original. You can use the permit at more than one place of employment or volunteer location.

What to do next

Start with the board's Find a Class list. Pick a class there before you pay. Not sure your job is covered? Read the board's MAST page first.

lcb.wa.gov

Sources we read