FAQS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The MAST program was initiated and mandated in 1995 to help limit the financial and social costs associated with the overconsumption and over-service of alcohol.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board’s role in MAST is to certify and monitor MAST providers to ensure the consistency and the quality of information provided to the hospitality industry. #1 ALERT is a leading MAST provider in Washington State.

Alcohol service is one of the most lucrative industries in the world. However, alcohol liability is a serious issue that businesses have to deal with every day. If not careful, the business and the servers can create large irreversible and very expensive problems for themselves as well as to the communities they operate in. Many people in the industry do not understand these potential problems and more importantly do not know how to prevent them. Industry leading programs like #1 ALERT are designed to help the hospitality industry in training their staff to be aware of these potential problems and have the tools to prevent them from happening in the first place.

At #1 ALERT we hold the highest training standards for content quality and consistency. It is very important to us that our courses are engaging, interesting, and most importantly inspiring. We also appreciate any comments and questions that you might have about the class content. Our students have always been and always will be important contributors to our course curriculum.

Alcohol Liability Education & Responsibility Training

Our Mission: Eliminate alcohol related problems from our communities through education. Our Goals: Educate all individuals about the legal, physical, and psychological effects of alcohol over consumption. Minimize or eliminate costs associated with third party liability problems arising from over-service of alcohol in the hospitality industry. Educate all levels of the hospitality industry about the importance of responsible alcohol service. Work in accordance with all levels of government and the non-profit sector to promote responsible alcohol consumption.

Convenient. Take it on your Mobile device from anywhere, anytime 99% of our students pass on the first try Reduce liabilities for yourself and your establishment Take the class at your convenience online Be able to leave and come back to the class at your discretion Site is available 24/7 Save money on gas and parking Receive a Class 12 or 13 Permit within 3-5 business days

Revised Code of Washington

Washington Administrative Code

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board requires standards for all MAST certified providers to maintain a secure site and storage procedures. The #1 ALERT program meets and exceeds these standards.

We are required to report all student information to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and securely store it for five years. After that period the information is securely and permanently deleted from our database.

No, anyone is welcome to take the course. However, the course is mandated if you serve alcohol to the public for on-premise consumption.

® 2018 National Licensing Association. All rights reserved. #1 ALERT is a registered trademark of the National Licensing Association. All materials posted on this website are subject to copyrights owned by the National Licensing Association and/or other individuals or entities. Nothing on this website, including the names, trademarks, service marks and logos of the National Licensing Association and/or other individuals or entities may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, modified, made available on a network, used to create derivative works, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise except (1) as permitted under Sections 107 and 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, or (2) as expressly authorized on this website, or (3) with prior written permission of the National Licensing Association and/or individuals or entities, as appropriate. Requests to use or reproduce material from this website should be directed to: EMAIL: support@1alert.com

Licensees and employees working at a tavern, snack bar, spirits/beer/wine restaurant, beer and wine restaurant, hotel, private club, sports entertainment facility, craft distillery, winery with secondary location and grocery store with tasting endorsement.
You must obtain a MAST permit within 60 days of hire.
Note: If you are a grocery store employee conducting beer and wine tastings, you are required to have a Class 12 MAST permit at the time of the tasting event.

The passing grade is 80%, which is the minimum set by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.

The class length is 3 hours, which is the minimum set by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Absolutely. Once the Class 13 permit holder turns 21, all they need to do is contact #1 ALERT and we will gladly upgrade the permit to a Class 12.
IMPORTANT: We can only upgrade and replace permits that were originally issued by the #1 ALERT program or the National Licensing Association.

Yes, but it will depend on the circumstances. If you have specific questions please don’t hesitate to contact the #1 ALERT program or the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.

If your permit has expired you will need to renew it by attending a 3 hour MAST certified training.

The cost to replace a permit with #1 ALERT is $5. The expiration date does not change if the permit is replaced. Please contact us if you need to replace your permit.
IMPORTANT: We can only replace permits that were issued by the #1 ALERT Program or the National Licensing Association.

MAST permits are valid for five years. The permit will expire on the first day of the month after the month you took your test. For example, if you obtained your permit on October 20, 2018 your permit will expire on November 1, 2023.

Class 12 Mixologist Permit – For managers, bartenders and anyone who draws alcohol from a tap, mixes alcoholic drinks and is at least 21 years old. Class 12 permit holders are also authorized to perform duties included in the Class 13 permit. Every licensed business where spirits, beer and wine are consumed on the premises must have at least one Class 12 permit holder on duty.
Class 13 Servers Permit – For servers and ID checkers who are at least 18 years old that carry alcohol to the customer or open beer or wine and pour it into a customer’s glass at the customer’s table.  Class 13 permit holders cannot mix drinks or draw beer or wine from a tap.

Generally you have to complete the entire 3 hour training and pass the test. However, if you completed a #1 ALERT training or other alcohol server training course in another state and that training course is also certified in the state of Washington, you may receive a class 12 or 13 permit in Washington by completing the #1 ALERT Washington State supplement to the program and passing the standardized exam. Please contact us for more details

The test is designed for students to easily pass if you pay attention to the course content and most do not consider it overly difficult.

The test consists of a combination of 40 multiple choice and True/False questions.

It depends on the violation. Generally, for any violation the permit can be suspended and in some cases revoked. If you have specific questions please contact the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board or the #1 ALERT program.

Yes.

The original MAST permit has to be available for inspection. Since Liquor Control Board inspections occur randomly, we recommend that servers keep the permit on their person or within an easily accessible location.

Yes. If you find a comparable provider offering a lower price, we will match it. Just make sure to let us know where you saw the price advertised.

Penalties can range from a simple fine of a few hundred dollars to a gross misdemeanor that can cost thousands of dollars and a jail sentence.

Yes, as long as the work does NOT include sales or service of alcohol on premises.

RCW 26.23.150 requires that we obtain Social Security Numbers for MAST permit holders in order to assist in child support enforcement as required by federal law.

If you do not have a Social Security Number due to resident status in the U.S., you may receive the MAST permit but please contact the Liquor Control Board or trainer when you obtain a Social Security Number.

Of course they can. In fact, every time an employee receives a violation it is recorded in the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board database.

Yes. The employer is responsible for ensuring that all employees that serve or sell alcohol are MAST certified within 60 days of hire. At the end of that time period, working without the required permit can result in a criminal citation issued to the server and the establishment.

In Washington State the legal liquor service hours are 6 am to 2 am, 7 days a week.

Yes, unless the establishment is designated persons 21 and over only, and as long as the kitchen can be accessed without going through a restricted area.

On all portions of the premises where alcohol is served or consumed, licensees must maintain sufficient lighting so that identification may be checked and patrons may be observed for the enforcement of liquor laws and rules.

The ID checker should always hold the ID and as an extra security measure ask additional questions. If possible, also ask to see the expired driver’s license.

Yes. All managers, servers, bartenders, and all other persons who serve alcohol or manage those who serve alcohol must attend the #1 ALERT MAST certified training.

The word “void” will appear on the copy to identify it as a “copy” that can’t be used as an original.

A person who exhibits two or more signs of intoxication.

Liquor brought on licensed premises under authority of a banquet permit may be resealed in its original container and removed at the end of the banquet permit function;
Wine sold with a meal may be re-corked or resealed and removed from the premises;
Liquor purchased by registered guests for consumption inside a hotel or motel room may be resealed in its original container and removed from the hotel or motel premises by the guest.

Always use a bound note book so that torn pages can be easily discerned.
Every single day must be recorded, even if nothing has happened.
On a day without any incident, you must enter the date and one line saying “nothing happened.”
On a day you do not work or the restaurant is closed, write this down in your log book.
Every incident must be entered with the time, date, place and the description of the incident. The person involved must be clearly and identifiably described (name if available and appearance).
Every line in a page must be filled. If a line is left blank, it must be crossed out to make it impossible to add something on a later date.
If the police are called, make a note of what action is taken.

Under the implied consent law, any person who operates a motor vehicle in the state is deemed to have consented to a breath or blood test. In Washington State, if a driver refuses to take the test, his or her driver’s license will be revoked.

When a person takes the breath test they are asked where they consumed their last drink. The police officer puts a code into the breathalyzer that identifies the location. Information from the breathalyzer is collected by the Washington State Patrol and forwarded to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB). No violations are generated off the DUI statistics alone. The WSLCB considers the statistics as indicators that there might be adjustments that could be made to eliminate potential problems in the establishment, neighborhood or the region.

3rd party liability allows the victims of an intoxicated person to sue servers and businesses for damages resulting from the actions of their customers. Anyone who violates liquor laws by serving a minor or a visibly intoxicated person can be held liable for injuries resulting from the minor or intoxicated person’s action.

Examples of expenses that the victims can sue for:
  1. Lost earnings over a lifetime
  2. Pain and suffering, anxiety, and emotional distress suffered by a victim, minor, or the deceased
  3. Medical and hospital expenses
  4. Loss of services and support, loss of love and companionship of the child, injury to the parent-child relationship

If a patron presents proper identification as outlined in WAC 314-11-025, but the licensee or employee still has doubts about the patron’s age, the licensee or employee may require the patron to sign a certification card.
The certification card must be completely filled out and filed alphabetically by the licensee or employee by the close of business on the day used.
Certification cards are subject to examination by any law enforcement officer.
The #1 ALERT program and the National Licensing Association have helped many businesses prevent or limit liability that can arise from the sale and service of liquor. Please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone (425)651-4250 or by email support@1alert.com and we will be happy to answer any questions.

The doing of something which a reasonably sensible person would not do, or the failure to do something which a reasonably sensible person would do under like circumstances.

Failing to call 911 for local law enforcement or medical assistance when requested by a customer, a Liquor Control Board officer, or when people have sustained injuries;
Not checking to ensure employees are of legal age or have appropriate work permits.

“Persons under twenty-one years of age not permitted on these premises.”
“Persons under twenty-one years of age not permitted in this area.”
Fetal Alcohol Exposure / Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
No firearms
Master License with appropriate business endorsements

Anyone that sells alcohol illegally can face a criminal citation, Administrative Violation Notice and/or a civil law suit.

Mitigating circumstances that may result in fewer days of liquor license suspension and/or a lower monetary penalty may include demonstrated business policies and/or practices that reduce the risk of future violations.
Examples include:

Having a signed acknowledgment of the business’ alcohol policy on file for each employee;
Having an employee training plan that includes annual training on liquor laws.

Yes. National Licensing Association’s consulting branch is a one-stop-shop designed to help businesses tackle any problems related to liability prevention, customer satisfaction, operations, taxes, law, etc.

There are many different violations that can apply depending on the situation. A list of different types of violations and associated penalties can be found on the LCBs website www.liq.wa.gov.

Yes, please contact #1 ALERT to set up a corporate account.

Yes, please contact #1 ALERT for details.

Yes, currently we are using PayPal to ensure that your payment information is collected securely. However, you can pay with a credit card also through our PayPal portal.

No, you do not need a PayPal account to pay for the course. Please make sure to click the continue button when to reach the PayPal site.

Yes, once you create your account and pay for the course it is available to you 24/7. Please make sure to remember your User Name and Password. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

You DO NOT need a PayPal account to pay for the course. Please make sure to click continue once you reach the PayPal site. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Yes, Washington State requires all the information in your profile in order to issue a MAST Permit.

It is very easy to register.

Step 1: Register
Step 2: Create your account
Step 3: Pay for the course

If you do not receive the payment confirmation email, please contact us immediately.

Please follow the steps below if you are having difficulty logging into your account;

Step 1: Please check your User Name and Password
Step 2: If the problem continues contact us

Please contact the #1 ALERT Program

The class is state mandated and designed to be a minimum of 3 hours long. However, you may take as long as you require to complete the course.

After each section the state mandates for a quiz to be given. All the section end quizzes are not scored and are merely there to help you prepare for the final test, which will be scored.

Yes, the state requires students to pass all quizzes and the final test to receive a MAST permit.

99% of our students past the test on the first attempt. However, if you do not pass the exam on the first attempt, you can contact us and, depending on circumstances, we can grant you another attempt. If you do not pass after the second attempt, the course has to be taken again.

3-5 business days for MAST Permit If you are not in a rush, we recommend our ONLINE alcohol class. The class is designed to be FAST, EASY, RELIABLE and it can be accessed from anywhere with a good internet connection. You can pause and return to the course and it is available 24/7. The navigation is simple, but if you need assistance you can always contact us and one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff would be very happy to help. Please keep in mind that we are only available by phone during normal business hours are Monday – Friday (9am – 5pm)

The course is designed to cover everything and anything you need for the test and more so there really is no need to study for it. However, if you are interested in additional information on topics covered, the following are excellent resources on alcohol liability: lcb.wa.gov

Once you turn 21 years old, all you have to do is contact #1 ALERT and we will upgrade your permit for $5. Just contact us when it is time.

IMPORTANT: We can only upgrade and replace permits that were originally issued by the #1 ALERT program or the National Licensing Association.

Yes, but for no more than 30 calendar days per year. Generally, you must contact the program to receive an upgrade to a Class 13 Permit. Upgrading a permit is $5 if the server received the permit through the #1 ALERT program.

Yes, #1 ALERT has been approved by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board.

  1. Ensure the highest level of public safety by continually improving and enforcing laws, regulations, and policies that reflect today’s dynamic environment.
     
  2. Inform and engage licensees, the public and stakeholders in addressing issues related to our mission.
     
  3. Promote a culture that inspires and values a highly-motivated, competent and diverse workforce that establishes the WSLCB as the employer of choice.
     
  4. Ensure operational excellence.

  1. Respect and courtesy
  2. Professionalism
  3. Open communication
  4. Accountability and integrity
  5. Continuous improvement and meaningful results
  6. Customer focus

Promote public safety and trust through fair administration and enforcement of liquor, cannabis, tobacco, and vapor laws. 

Safe communities for Washington State

If the training is taken Online, you will receive a digital Certificate of Successful Completion by email, and the physical permit will be mailed to your physical address. Your MAST permit will be mailed within 2-5 days of successfully completing the course. IMPORTANT: Although the Certificate of Successful Completion is considered proof that you have taken and passed the MAST class, it is not your actual permit.