Additional Training Available

A food worker that has obtained “Additional Food Safety Training” within the past 2 years is eligible to receive a 5-year food worker card when he/she is renewing a card in Washington State.

“Additional Food Safety Training” is defined in Chapter 246-217 Washington Administrative Code as completion of comprehensive training on food safety of at least 4 hours in length. Training may include topics such as:
  • Proper cooking, hot-holding, cold-holding and cooling of potentially hazardous foods
  • Cross-contamination prevention
  • HACCP
  • Proper hand washing techniques
Approval of training programs can be obtained from the Yakima Health District or the state health department (if it impacts more than 1 county). Approval of training programs must be obtained in advance. Food workers cannot present proof of an unapproved training course at the time of the food worker class and receive a 5-year card. The list of programs below do not count for the Person In Charge requirement for the new 2005 food code.

Training Courses


The training courses currently approved by the Department of Health are:
  • DMA (Dietary Managers Association) - Food Protection Training Program or Sanitation and Safety Course (resulting in the Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) credential)
  • Prometric - Food Manager Certification
  • FoodSafe Manager Certification
  • Grant County Health Department 4-Hour Food Safety Training
  • ServeSafe Manager Certification
  • ServeSafe Employee Certification
  • Town and Country Markets - Food Safety in the Workplace
  • United Grocers and Merchants Insurance Service - Managing Food Safety in the Workplace
  • All Washington State local health department Manager Certification programs, including but not limited to:
    • Bremerton-Kitsap
    • Chelan-Douglas
    • Island
    • Jefferson
    • Mason
    • Pierce
    • Skagit
    • Snohomish
    • Spokane
    • Thurston
  • Fred Meyer - Food Safety Certification Class
  • Seattle Central Community College Culinary Arts - Principles of Sanitation Class (HOS110)
  • Costco Manager Training
  • Costco Associate Training
  • Food Safety and Sanitation Course - Island Market Company, Inc. (Vashon Thriftway)
  • HANA Concepts Training
  • Learn Associates Training
  • NEHA 2-day Manager Certification Program
  • NEHA 1-day fast-track Manager Certification Training
  • NEHA 1-day Review Program
  • “Serving it Safe” Food Safety Training Program
  • TAP Series Food Safety Manager Certification Training
  • Washington State University Extension PIC Food Safety Program


Course Approval


To obtain Yakima Health District approval, a letter requesting approval, along with the course outline, should be sent to:

Yakima Health District
Food Safety Program
1210 Ahtanum Ridge Drive
Union Gap, WA 98903

To obtain Department of Health approval, a letter requesting approval, along with the course outline, should be sent to:

Washington State Department of Health
Office of Environmental Health and Safety
Food Safety Program
P.O. Box 47825
Olympia, WA 98504-7824