Online Food Worker Card Course Now Available for King County

Food workers in King County are now able to go online to take the food worker course and test at their convenience, a county news release announced Monday.

This development comes after Pierce County first announced the back in January.

Food workers are required by the state to take a test showing basic knowledge of food safety, but it was rarely convenient for employees who work on the Plateau -- from Enumclaw through to Greenwater -- to get these food worker cards as they'd often have to take personal time head to Seattle or Tacoma in order to take the test. Oftentimes, the classes are limited and fill up fast, so they run the risk of making the trip for nothing.

Gary Zesiger, owner of Enumclaw's , told Patch in January that occasionally, the county health department would send a representative out to conduct the training and testing remotely to better accommodate local employees, but they happened infrequently. "When you have somebody who comes to work in our restaurant, they have to take time off from their day activities to go get it done," he said.

Sarah Payne, a bartender at , said she'd previously gotten her card in Tacoma when she lived closer but now that she works in Enumclaw, she'd likely have to drive to Renton. "It would be way easier if it was just online," she said.

And now it is. The course and test can be accessed on the King County Public Health Department website. 

Some things to keep in mind:

• You will be printing your card once you pass the test at the end of the online class, so make sure you have a working printer connected to your computer.
• The cost of the class and test is $10, payable with VISA, MasterCard or Discover card and debit cards with the VISA or MasterCard logo after you pass the test.
• Typical users take approximately 1 hour to take the course and test.
• Online training is available in English, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Cambodian and Closed Caption.

For those who prefer the in-person classes, they will still be available at downtown Seattle and Renton locations. For more information, visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/foodworker.