Do line cooks need a food worker card in Washington?

Yes. Washington requires food service workers to get a Washington food worker card within 14 days of starting, and the employer must train you on safe food handling until then. Your first card lasts 2 years, and renewals last 3 years, or 5 years with extra training.

What Washington requires

Food service workers must get a Washington food worker card within 14 days. Source
Until you have the card, the employer must train you before you handle food. Source
The first card is valid for 2 years. A renewed card lasts 3 years, or 5 years with extra training. Source

How to list it on your resume

Put these lines under a Certifications and licenses heading near the top, with dates. The employer looks for them first.

Before

Food worker card

After

Washington Food Worker Card (expires 2027)

Before

Renewed card

After

Washington Food Worker Card, renewed with extra training (expires 2031)

Check your line cook resume for Washington

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Common questions

Is Washington's deadline shorter than other states?

Yes. You have 14 days, while most states with a card law give 30 days. Getting the card before you apply makes you easier to hire.

Why does my first card only last 2 years?

Washington issues the first card for 2 years. After you renew, it lasts 3 years, or 5 years if you take additional approved training.

Do I need the card for prep work only?

Yes. The rule covers food service workers, including prep cooks and dishwashers who handle food or food-contact surfaces.

Pay for line cooks in Washington

See the Washington minimum wage and work out your take-home pay with the Washington paycheck calculator.

The full line cook checklist

The rules above are only for Washington. For everything else a line cook resume needs, with a full example, see the line cook resume checklist.

Sources

Last updated November 15, 2026. Rules change, so check the source before you rely on it.

Washington Administrative Code 246-217-015: Food worker cards (checked November 15, 2026)
Washington Administrative Code 246-217-035: Food worker card renewal (checked November 15, 2026)