When your alcohol server permit is about to expire, it’s only natural to wonder, “How do I renew my MAST Permit in Washington state?”.
The short answer is that you don’t need to renew the MAST permit. However, it’s highly recommended that you retake it to continue serving alcoholic beverages responsibly and avoid costly penalties. Like getting your initial Washington MAST permit, renewal requires completing the full training course again.
Keep reading to find out how to renew a MAST permit in Washington, the legal consequences of not doing so, and ways to update it.
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Can You Renew a MAST Permit in Washington?
Technically, the only way to “renew” a MAST Permit is to retake the Mandatory Alcohol Server Training, and a new permit will be sent to you by the course provider within 30 days of completing the training.
Retaking the training is relatively straightforward and takes a few hours if you opt for an online training course. Just make sure to choose an approved training provider like ServeSmart.
Class 12 Washington MAST Permit Renewal: Step-by-Step Guide
To renew your permit, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Check your expiration date / look up your permit with the MAST Permit Checker
Step 2: Select an approved course like ServeSmart.
Step 3: Take the 3–hour course.
Step 4: Take the exam
Step 5: Your permit will arrive in the mail within 30 days
When Should You Retake the MAST Course?
It’s best to retake the MAST course at least 45 days before your current permit expires. Get your new MAST permit here to ensure there’s no gap in your certification. Use the first two weeks to find an approved provider and complete the course at your own pace.
The remaining time should be sufficient for your new permit to be processed and mailed, so you avoid any lapse in your ability to work.
❗ Important Note: Retaking the course early does not extend the expiration date of the existing permit. Instead, you’ll receive a new permit with a new issue date, and the clock resets from there.
How to Check If Your MAST Permit Is Still Valid
- Visit the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) website.
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Enter your information. You’ll need to provide:
- Your last name
- Your date of birth
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Review your permit details. Once submitted, you’ll see:
- Your current permit status (active or expired)
- Issue and expiration dates
- Your permit class (Class 12 or Class 13)
What Happens If You Let Your MAST Permit Expire?
If you’re postponing the renewal of your MAST permit – we would warn you against it. Letting your alcohol server permit expire may lead to serious consequences:
- You cannot legally serve alcohol until you’re certified again. Working without a valid permit is against Washington state law.
- Employers can be fined for allowing unpermitted staff to serve alcohol, which may also affect your job status.
- You’ll need to retake the full course; there’s no refresher or shortcut, even if you were previously certified.
The good news? You can complete the entire course online quickly and easily with ServeSmart.
What Should I Do If I Lost My MAST Permit?
If you’ve lost your permit and need a MAST Permit replacement, or if you need to replace a Class 12 or 13 permit because of a name change, a permit holder must:
- Contact the provider or trainer (like ServeSmart) who issued the Class 12 or 13 permit; or
- Complete a Class 12 or 13 permit replacement form and submit it along with the appropriate fee to the board. The board will issue a new Class 12 or 13 permit with the same expiration date as the original Class 12 or 13 permit.
How to Upgrade a Class 13 MAST Permit?
If you are 21 and only have a Class 13 permit, you’ll not be legally allowed to do any of the duties of a Class 12 permit holder.
Both Class 13 and Class 12 MAST Permits expire after 5 years. Meaning that if you’re a Class 13 permit holder, you’ll need to upgrade your permit to a Class 12 permit when you turn 21, well before your original Class 13 permit’s expiration date.
You have two options for upgrading your Class 13 permit to a Class 12:
You could submit an upgrade request to your original provider.
According to state law, “Upon turning 21 years of age, such a person who obtains a Class 13 permit after taking and passing a Class 12 training course and exam may request that a provider or trainer upgrade his or her Class 13 permit to a Class 12 permit.”
You could retake the training and receive a new Class 12 permit.
Alternatively, you can retake the course through an online or in-person course provider of your choosing, and your new Class 12 permit will have a new expiration date 5 years from your date of completion. The MAST Permit cost will typically be $20, depending on which provider you choose.
How to Renew a MAST Permit
The MAST Permit cannot be renewed — you must retake the full course to stay certified. Start your ServeSmart training course at least 45 days before expiration to avoid any work interruption.
Need to upgrade from Class 13 to Class 12?
Contact your original provider or retake the course for a new Class 12 permit with full bartending privileges.
Don’t risk working with an expired permit. Start your renewal course today →
Frequently Asked Questions
Study the key topics like ID checking, Washington alcohol laws, and signs of intoxication. Read our full guide on preparing for the MAST test in Washington for tips and practice questions.
No, Washington does not offer a grace period once your permit expires. You must stop serving alcohol immediately and cannot legally return to work until you complete a new MAST training course and receive your new permit. This is different from the 60-day grace period given to newly hired employees.
Yes, as long as you’ve completed the course and passed the exam within the past 30 days. Keep your certificate of completion as proof for your employer until the official permit arrives by mail. However, you must carry this certificate with you during any shifts involving alcohol service.
No, you will receive a completely new permit with a new number and issue date each time you complete the course. Your previous permit number will not be reused.
Yes. Washington does not offer “renewals” in the traditional sense. Once your permit expires, you must reapply by completing the full 3-hour training course and exam again. There are no shortcuts or refresher courses available, regardless of how recently you were certified.
