What is the Food Handler Testing?  

The Health Department provides testing for food service workers and issues Washington State Food and Beverage Worker's permits (food handler's health cards) in partnership with Lower Columbia College.

The food handler's health card is required for working in any Washington state food service establishment  in compliance with food safety regulations (WAC 246-217) and (RCW 69.06.010).

Related Health Department Web Links

• Food Establishment Permits

• Restaurant Inspection Reports

• Food-borne Illness

• Food Complaints

• Food Service Inspections

• Hepatitis A

• Temporary Food Permits

• Consumer Food Safety

Related Outside  Websites

• Food Safety Program (DOH)

• WAC 246-217: Food Worker Cards

• Teens at Work: Facts for employers, teens and parents (LNI)

Food Safety Newsletters

• January 2009

• March 2008

• September 2007

• January 2007

What services do environmental health professionals provide for Cowlitz County?  

• Oversee food handler's permit program. 
• Issue copies and duplicate copies of food handler's cards.

Testing Information

• Testers must have photo ID with them at the time of the test.

• Test study material available for download here:

  • English - Food Safety is Everybody's Business

  • Chinese - 食物安全人人有責

  • Korean - 음식위생은 모든 사람의 책임입니다

  • Russian - Безопасность пищи касается всех

  • Spanish - La Seguridad Alimentaria es Asunto de Todos
    

  • Vietnamese - Thực Phẩm An Toàn là Việc Của Mọi Người

  • Punjabi - ਭੋਜਨ ਸੁਰੱਿਖਆ ਹਰ ਿਕਸੇ ਦਾ ਕੰਮ ਹੈ
    

• The health card is valid for 2 years in all counties in the state of Washington

• You are required to view a 35-minute training video before taking a test.  Allow at least one hour to view the video and take the test.  Please, no children or cell phones.

Re-Testing:

• You have 14 days to re-take the test free of charge if you do not pass the first time you take it, but you must wait 24 hours to retest, and you must watch the training video prior to each retest.

Renewals:

• The health card can be renewed up to 60 days prior to the expiration date and up to 14 days after the expiration date.  If renewed in this time frame, the new health card will be issued for 3 years.  When renewing a card, please bring your expiring health card with you for verification purposes.

• You must always view the video and retake the test when renewing your health card.

• Applicants that provide proof of additional approved* food safety training within the past two years will receive a 5 year renewal card when they renew their current card. 

Testing Location:

Person in Charge (PIC) Training

for Food Workers

The Person in Charge (PIC) Training presented by Washington State University Cowlitz County Extension Office is an approved additional food safety training course that can be used to acquire a 5 year food worker card when renewing your food worker card. 

• Fee Schedule

Forms & Information

• Download Food Worker's Study Guide 

• Immunization Information