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"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. See Food Worker Card Regulations, Chapter 246-217 WAC for more details.

"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, and 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.

The online food worker training and testing program that some counties offer may only be able to issue a 2-year card. Check with your local health department to see if you can get a 3 or 5-year card using the online program.

Current List of State Approved "Additional Food Safety Training"

Washington State Local Health Departments

• All Washington State local health department manager certification programs

College or University Courses

• Seattle Central Community College, Culinary Arts, Principles of Sanitation Class (HOS110)

Workplace Training Programs

• Costco Manager Training

• Costco Associate Training

• Fred Meyer, Food Safety Certification Class

• Island Market Company, Inc. (doing business as Vashon Thriftway), Food Safety and Sanitation Course

• Town and Country Markets, Food Safety in the Workplace

• United Grocers and Merchants Insurance Service, Managing Food Safety in the Workplace

• Washington Correction Center for Women, Food Service Department, Additional Food Safety Training

Private Associations and Organizations

• Dietary Managers Association (DMA), Food Protection Training Program or Sanitation and Safety Course (resulting in the Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) credential)

• Prometric, Food Manager Certification

• HANA Concepts Training

• Learn Associates Training

• National Registry of Food Safety Professionals, Food Protection Manager Certification Program

• NEHA, 2-day Manager Certification Program

• NEHA, 1-day fast-track Manager Certification Program

• NEHA, 1-day Review Program

• SafeMark, Food Marketing Institute

• ServeSafe Manager Certification

• ServeSafe Employee Certification

• "Serving it Safe" Food Safety Training Program

• TAP Series Food Safety Manager Certification Training

• Washington State University Extension, PIC Food Safety Training

Obtain Approval of an "Additional Food Safety Training" Course

To obtain approval for a particular class, the training provider must contact the local health department in the county in which the "Additional Food Safety Training" course will be offered. The course must meet the criteria set by that local health department, and their approval must be received before students use the course to qualify for the extended 5-year food worker card.

The "Additional Food Safety Training" course can be offered in more than one county. Each county must, however, approve the course or approval may be requested from the Washington State Department of Health. To obtain Washington State Department of Health approval, send a letter requesting approval and the course outline to: 

Washington State Department of Health

Environmental Health and Safety

Food Safety Program

P.O. Box 47825

Olympia, WA 98504-7825 

or call: 360-236-3322