Auburn, WA Public Health Rules: Food Handler Certification (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- ACC 8.04.240
- Required document
- Health record, permit, card or certificate
- Exam frequency
- Annually, or more if ordered
- Enforcing agency
- King & Pierce County health officers
- Max civil infraction
- $250 per violation/day
Summary
Auburn requires every food establishment employee covered by ACC 8.04.010 to hold a valid food handler health record, permit, card or certificate on file with their employer, backed by an annual health exam the health officer can order at any time. King and Pierce County health officers enforce the rule.
All employees shall have a health examination annually, or more often, if required by the health officer. The health officer may, at their discretion, also require the employee to take a written and/or oral examination in the public health aspects of food handling and may also, in addition to or in lieu of such written and/or oral examination, require the employee to attend a food handler's training course approved by the health officer. It is unlawful for any person to be employed in any food establishment as defined in ACC 8.04.010(A), (C), (E) and (F) unless they first furnishes and places on file with the person in charge of such establishment either a valid food employee's (food handler's) health record, permit, card or certificate from the health officer.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 7023, passed July 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
04's restaurant and food-service sanitation rules, requires employees to undergo a health examination annually or more often if the health officer requires it. The health officer may also require a written or oral test on public health aspects of food handling, or require the employee to complete a food handler's training course the health officer has approved, either in addition to or instead of the exam questions. 010(A), (C), (E) and (F) unless they first obtain and file with the person in charge of the establishment a valid food employee's health record, permit, card or certificate from the health officer.
That card must stay on file at the employer's office at all times, open to inspection by the health officer during reasonable hours, and must be returned to the employee when they leave the job. 250, requires immediate notice to the health officer if an employee contracts an infectious or communicable disease, has a fever, skin eruption, or a cough lasting more than three weeks, with a placard of that rule required in every restaurant toilet room. 270, is delegated by the city to the King County and Pierce County health departments within their respective portions of Auburn, reflecting the fact that Auburn straddles both counties.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Chapter 8.04, including operating without the required employee health card on file, is a civil infraction under ACC 8.04.280, punishable per the citywide infraction schedule in ACC 1.25.050: up to $250 per violation, with each day and each employee treated as a separate infraction, plus possible restitution for the city's enforcement costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who checks food handler cards in Auburn restaurants?
How often must an Auburn food worker get a health exam?
What happens if a restaurant lets someone work without a food handler card in Auburn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Auburn
Compare Auburn to another location·View the Washington public health rules overview
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Food Handler Certification in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle food handler certification.