What is the Legal Age to Bartend or Serve Alcohol in Washington State?

The answer is slightly more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Washington State law allows some employees under 21 to serve alcohol in limited roles, but bartending and pouring alcohol is strictly reserved for those 21 and older. On top of age requirements, every server and bartender must also complete mandatory training and obtain what’s commonly called a Washington bartender license, bar card, or MAST permit.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about:

• The legal age to bartend and serve alcohol in Washington
  
  
• How the state defines a bartender license or bar card
  
  
• Step-by-step instructions for getting a MAST permit
  
  
• The differences between Class 12 and Class 13 permits
  
  
• Why alcohol server training is required and how it protects you
  
  
• Frequently asked questions to clarify common misconceptions
  
  

Transparency note: Certification Experts offers comprehensive Washington Alcohol Awareness Training that prepares staff to recognize fake IDs, handle intoxicated customers, and serve responsibly. However, our course is not yet state-approved MAST training. To legally work in Washington, you must complete a Class 12 or Class 13 course from a provider approved by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB). Our training is best used as supplementary preparation to strengthen compliance skills and build confidence.

So, can you serve alcohol at 18 in Washington?

Yes—but with restrictions. Here’s how the law works:

• 18–20 years old: You can serve alcohol to customers in a restaurant or establishment with a liquor license. However, you may not mix drinks, pour spirits, or work as a bartender. Employees in this age group may apply for a Class 13 MAST permit.
  
  
• 21 and older: Once you reach 21, you may work as a bartender, mixologist, or manager in charge of alcohol service. At this age, you must hold a Class 12 MAST permit.
  
  

This split is designed to allow young workers to enter the hospitality industry at 18 while ensuring that bartending and alcohol mixing—which carry greater responsibility—are reserved for those of legal drinking age.

It’s also important to note that employers may set stricter standards. For example, some bars and restaurants only hire servers who are 21 or older, even if state law allows 18-year-olds to serve alcohol.

In Washington, there isn’t technically a “bartender license” like you might find in other states. Instead, servers and bartenders need a MAST permit—short for Mandatory Alcohol Server Training permit.

This permit is sometimes called a Washington bar card or alcohol server permit, but legally it all refers to the same thing: proof that you completed state-approved alcohol server training.

The MAST program is overseen by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB). All employees who serve, mix, sell, or supervise alcohol service must obtain their MAST permit within 60 days of hire. Without it, you cannot legally handle or serve alcohol.

Washington issues two types of MAST permits, depending on your age:

• Allows servers 18–20 years old to take alcohol orders and serve drinks to tables in restaurants.
  
  
• Does not allow mixing spirits, pouring alcohol, or working behind the bar.
  
  
• Expires automatically on your 21st birthday. At that point, you must upgrade to Class 12 if you continue working with alcohol.

• Required for bartenders, mixologists, and managers who directly handle alcohol.
  
  
• Allows pouring, mixing, and supervising alcohol service.
  
  
• Valid for 5 years from issuance.
  
  

Knowing which permit applies to you is essential before you begin working.

Since a bartender license is essentially the MAST permit, here’s how you get one:

Sign up for a MAST course from a provider approved by the WSLCB. Courses are available online or in person.

The course typically takes 3–4 hours and covers topics like:

• Checking IDs and spotting fakes
  
  
• Refusing service to minors and intoxicated patrons
  
  
• Washington’s alcohol laws and penalties
  
  
• Dram shop liability

At the end, you’ll take a test to demonstrate your understanding.

After passing the test, the provider issues your MAST permit (Class 12 or Class 13). You must keep it on hand while working, as inspectors may request to see it.

• MAST permits are valid for 5 years.
  
  
• They are non-renewable—when it expires, you must retake the training.
  
  
• Employers are required to keep copies of employee permits on file.
  

The MAST permit isn’t just a bureaucratic hurdle—it’s an important safeguard for both businesses and customers.

• Legal requirement: Working without a valid permit can result in fines for you and your employer, and in some cases, suspension of the business’s liquor license.
  
  
• Public safety: Training ensures staff know how to check IDs, spot fake IDs, and prevent service to underage or visibly intoxicated individuals.
  
  
• Liability protection: Understanding dram shop laws helps protect staff and businesses from lawsuits related to alcohol service.
  
  
• Industry reputation: Workers with proper training are more employable, and businesses with trained staff are seen as more professional and responsible.

The WSLCB maintains a list of approved MAST providers. Only these providers can issue valid Class 12 or Class 13 permits.

Serving alcohol without a permit can result in:

• Fines for both employee and employer
  
  
• Suspension of the establishment’s liquor license
  
  
• Possible termination of employment

Most people complete the training in an afternoon. You’ll typically get your permit within a few business days of passing the exam.

Getting your MAST card as soon as you’re hired—or even before applying—makes you more attractive to employers. It shows you’re proactive and serious about compliance

Can you serve alcohol at 18 in Washington?
Yes. At 18, you may serve alcohol to tables with a Class 13 permit, but you may not bartend, pour, or mix drinks until you turn 21.

Do you need a bartender license in Washington State?
Yes, but it’s called a MAST permit, not a license. Class 12 is for ages 21+, and Class 13 is for ages 18–20.

What is a Washington State bar card?
A bar card is simply another term for the MAST permit required by the WSLCB.

How long does it take to get a MAST card?
The course takes about 3–4 hours. You usually receive your card within a few days after passing the test.

How long is a MAST permit valid?
Five years. After that, you must retake training and get a new permit.

Can you renew a MAST permit?
No. Washington requires you to retake the course and exam once your permit expires.

To recap, the legal age to serve alcohol in Washington State is:

• 18 years old to serve drinks at tables with a Class 13 permit (no mixing or bartending).
• 21 years old to bartend, pour, or mix alcohol with a Class 12 permit.

Every employee who handles or serves alcohol must complete Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (MAST) through a WSLCB-approved provider within 60 days of hire. Permits are valid for 5 years and are non-renewable.

Note: Certification Experts provides Washington Alcohol Awareness Training designed to help staff develop real-world serving skills like spotting fake IDs and handling difficult situations. While our course is not yet state-approved MAST training, it is an excellent supplementary resource for new and experienced servers who want to go beyond compliance and serve alcohol responsibly.

Whether you’re 18 and starting your first restaurant job, or 21 and stepping behind the bar, understanding the rules around age and permits is essential. By meeting Washington’s legal requirements and investing in your training, you’ll be fully prepared to serve responsibly, protect your employer, and succeed in the state’s growing hospitality industry.