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.
Keep reading to find out how to “renew” the MAST permit in Washington, the legal consequences of not doing so, and ways to update it.
Table of Contents
Can You Renew a MAST Permit in Washington?
It is a Mandatory Alcohol Server Permit that is required to obtain in order to serve or sell alcoholic beverages 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
Who Needs a Class 12 MAST Permit in Washington?
A Class 12 MAST Permit is for anyone who is 21 years of age or older and sells/serves alcohol, or who manages anyone who sells or serves alcohol. If you need a MAST permit renewal for Class 12, your responsibilities may include the following:
- Manage a retail-licensed premises licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption
- Sell, mix, or draw from a dispensing device alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption
- Supervise a Class 13 permit holder
When Should You Retake the MAST Course?
It’s best to retake the MAST course at least 45 days before your current permit expires. 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.
How to Check If Your MAST Permit Is Still Valid
- Visit the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) website.
-
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.
Penalties for Working Without a Valid Permit
You must have your MAST permit and a valid ID available for law enforcement to inspect while you are performing duties that include the sale, service, or handling of alcohol.
Working without a permit could lead to a criminal citation of up to $500, up to 90 days in jail, or both a fine and imprisonment. Your employer may also face fines, license suspension, or both.
In addition to the potential penalties above, you may also face consequences for falsifying your permit, failing to produce your permit or ID upon request, or obstructing a law enforcement officer in any way, or failing to allow inspection.
Each of these violations could result in the following penalties:
- 1st Violation: 5-day permit suspension OR $100 monetary option
- 2nd Violation: 10-day permit suspension OR $200 monetary option
- 3rd Violation: 30-day permit suspension OR $400 monetary option
- 4th Violation: Revocation of permit
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 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.
You could retake the training and receive a new Class 12 permit.
Conclusion: How to Renew a MAST Permit
The MAST Permit is not renewable – yet you can and should get a fresh permit as your expiration date approaches. To “renew” your MAST permit, you can retake the course through an approved online provider like ServeSmart.
Since it is illegal to work with an expired permit, it is recommended that you take the training within 45 days of your expiration date. Since it takes up to 30 days for the permit to be mailed to you, the earlier you take the training, the better.
What if you need to upgrade your permit?
Upgrading your Class 13 permit to a Class 12 permit can be done by either:
- Contacting your original course provider
- Retaking the training
If you turn 21 and still have a Class 13 permit, you will not be able to perform the duties of a Class 12 permit holder.
Stay compliant with Washington alcohol laws by enrolling in ServeSmart’s state-approved course. Get certified and keep your career moving forward without interruption!
Frequently Asked Questions
Study the key topics like ID checking, Washington alcohol laws, and signs of intoxication. Read our full guide on becoming a bartender 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.
Yes, as long as you’ve completed the course and are within 30 days of passing it. Keep your temporary certificate as proof until the official permit arrives.
No, you will receive a new permit with a new number and issue date each time you complete the course.
Yes. Washington does not offer “renewals.” Once your current permit expires, you must reapply by retaking the full MAST course.
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