Food Safety

1. Test, Pay, and Print Online at Home
2. Test Online at Home, Pay and Print in Person at Skagit County Public Health in Mount Vernon
3. Test, Pay, and Print in Person at Skagit County Public Health in Mount Vernon, by Appointment Only
4. Test, Pay, and Print in Person at the East County Community Resource Center in Concrete

1: Testing is available online, 24 hours a day at www.foodworkercard.wa.gov

• Go to www.foodworkercard.wa.gov and select a language to begin.
• If you are a new user, click on New User to register. Otherwise, sign in and begin.
• Watch an interactive informational program.
• Take test.
• Make payment:
• The cost of the class is $10 and can be paid with credit or debit cards with the VISA or MasterCard logo.
• Payment will be required before you may print your card.
• Make sure you are connected to a working printer to print your own card.
• Print your card. After you have passed the exam and paid online, you have 30 days to print your card for free. After 30 days, a $5 replacement fee may apply. You may also pay and print at Skagit County Public Health in Mount Vernon.
• Sign your card. Your card is not valid if it does not have your signature on it.

Online Information:  Frequently asked questions for online testing

Beware of unapproved web sites offering the Washington State Food Worker Test! The only approved site for food worker card testing is www.foodworkercard.wa.gov.

• Our office has been made aware of at least two web sites that promote food worker training, charge a fee and offer a “food worker card.”
• These web sites can be identified by the ".com" in the web address. Even though their study information is very similar to what we recognize in current training programs statewide, these cards are not valid in Washington State as they are not issued per the food code by a Health Officer. The approved training and testing website is www.foodworkercard.wa.gov.

Be advised when your debit or credit billing statement arrives, charges for you food worker card will be listed under “TCP Online Food Card.”
Turn off your pop-up blocker. The pop-up blocker can usually be found under Tools on your menu bar.
Make sure you have the latest version of Adobe Flash on your computer. You can download Adobe Flash for free at https:get/adobe.com/flashplayer.
To print a copy of the Washington State Food and Beverage Workers’ Manual to help you prepare for the exam follow the link:  Food safety is everybody's business: Your guide to preventing foodborne illness

(ONLINE MANUAL AND TEST OFFERED IN ENGLISH, CAMBODIAN, CANTONESE, KOREAN, MANDARIN, RUSSIAN, SPANISH, VIETNAMESE and CLOSED CAPTION.)

2: Test Online at Home, Pay and Print in Person at Skagit County Public Health in Mount Vernon

• Go to www.foodworkercard.wa.gov and select a language to begin.
• If you are a new user, click on New User to register. Otherwise, sign in and begin.
• Watch an interactive informational program.
• Take test in English or Spanish.
• The test is also offered in Cambodian, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese. However, the video is only available in English and Spanish.
• Visit Skagit County Public Health at 700 S 2nd ST, 3rd Floor, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
• Pay Skagit County Public Health for your card with credit or debit cards with the VISA or MasterCard logo, cash, check, voucher, or money order.
• Skagit County Public Health will print it for you.

3: Watch the Video, Test, Pay, and Print Your Card in Person at Skagit County Public Health by Appointment Only

• Visit us at 700 S 2nd ST, 3rd Floor, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
• Testing in person is by appointment only on the 2nd Tuesday and 4th Thursday of each month.
• Appointment times are 8:30 am, 10:30 am, 12:30 PM, and 2:30 pm.
• It is recommended that you call for appointment (360-416-1500) as seating is limited and it may not be possible to accommodate walk-ins.
• Bring picture identification.
• Watch a 30-minute training video in English or Spanish.
• Take and pass a Washington State exam.
• Pay $10 to Skagit County Public Health with credit or debit cards with the VISA or MasterCard logo, cash, check, voucher, or money order.

Please note: Children are not allowed in the testing area and may not be left unattended in the waiting area.

4: Test, Pay, and Print in Person at the East County Community Resource Center in Concrete

• Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (no appointment needed)
• East County Resource Center, 45770 A Main Street, Concrete WA 360-416-1733
• Bring picture identification.
• Watch a 30-minute training video in English.
• Take and pass a Washington State exam.
• Pay $10, check or cash only

TO RENEW CARD:
If card is renewed before the expiration date on the card, a 3-year card can be issued at Skagit County Public Health office only. The renewal period is 60 DAYS BEFORE the card expires. Testing requirements are the same as if you were taking the test for the first time. The video must be reviewed and test taken every time you renew your food worker card.

RENEWING CARD FOR 5 YEARS:
Follow the procedure to renew a card. Bring proof that an approved food safety program has been completed, such as the WSU PIC training or ServSafe, within the last 2 years.

REPLACEMENT CARDS:
Food Worker Cards can be reprinted from the online course for a $5.00 fee. Go back to the online course, select the “Login” button and sign back in. Be sure to use the exact same registration information you originally signed in with (information is case sensitive). Or, if you bring picture identification and a $5.00 replacement fee to our office we can reprint it for you.

SPECIAL NEEDS TESTING:
Call the Skagit County Public Health Mount Vernon office at 360-416-1500 for information and scheduling.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS
There are Spanish speaking employees available to answer your question at the Skagit County Public Health Mount Vernon office. Call 360-416-1500 for assistance.

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Retail Permanent Facilities

• Renew or Update an Existing FSE Permit with No Changes

Open a new FSE; remodel or become a new operator of an existing FSE

If you plan to open a new food business, or remodel your permitted kitchen or take over an existing food service, you must submit plans for review. If your planned business is mobile or temporary, see the specific links elsewhere on this site.

• Plan Review Application
  
• The state food code governs the requirements for food facilities.
  

Mobile Food Service or Food Cart

A mobile food operation has special requirements. It must be on wheels and easily movable. An approved commissary or service location is required. Menu and food preparation may be limited. Mobile units must be approved by Washington Department of Labor and Industries prior to operating. Contact Labor and Industries

• Mobile Food Service Rules of Operation
  
• Mobile Food Service Plan Review Application
  
• Annual Permit Renewal Form for Existing Permitted Mobiles
• Commissary Agreement for Mobile Food Service or Caterer
  

Food Bank or Soup Kitchen

Food Banks provide a valuable service to our citizens in need. The Health Department does not charge a permit fee for these facilities, but we appreciate having contact information. We also can provide advice and information on safe food handling of donations and distribution.

• Food Bank Permit Application
  
• Guidelines for Food Banks

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• Do I need a Temporary Food Service Permit?
• Bake Sales
• What type of Temporary Food Service Permit do I need?

Print and submit a permit application:

• Schedule of Charges
• Application for Exemption from Permit
• Food Demonstration or Sampling Permit
• Low-Risk Temporary Event Permit
• Temporary Event Permit (not Low Risk)
• Seasonal or Farmers Market Temporary Food Service Permit
• Umbrella Permit – Please contact Joanne Lynn at (360) 416-1555

Review and print requirements for a temporary food booth:

• Requirements to operate a temporary food booth
  
• Farmer’s Market Guidelines for Prepared and Processed Foods

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