How to get a liquor license in wa: the full process

Last updated 2026-07-26

How do you get a liquor license in Washington State?

You get a liquor license in Washington by applying directly to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB), which is the sole licensing authority for alcohol sales statewide. There's no separate county liquor board like you'll find in some states. Cities and counties weigh in on zoning and local approval, but the license itself comes from WSLCB. ^[1] The basic sequence is: pick your license class based on what you're actually selling and how (on-premise vs. off-premise, beer/wine vs. spirits), confirm your location is zoned for it, submit the application online through WSLCB's licensing portal, pay the application and license fees, get fingerprinted for a background check, and wait for WSLCB to complete its review, which includes a 20-day public notice/objection period for new licenses under WAC 314-09-010. ^[1] Most restaurant and bar operators in Washington end up applying for one of a handful of core categories: a Spirits, Beer, and Wine Restaurant license, a Beer and/or Wine license, or a Tavern license, depending on what they pour and whether food is a real part of the business. If you're taking over an existing licensed location instead of opening from scratch, you'll file for a license transfer, which has its own timeline quirks covered below. If you're just starting to plan backward from a lease and opening date, our State Liquor License Roadmap walks through the WA-specific steps and deadlines for $199, one time, no subscription. It's not legal advice and it doesn't replace talking to WSLCB directly, but it's built to keep you from missing a step that pushes your open date.

How much is a liquor license in Washington?

Washington liquor license fees depend on the license class and, for many categories, on the population of the city where you're located, because WSLCB sets tiered annual fees by population bracket for several license types under WAC 314-24-140. There isn't one flat number, so don't trust anyone who quotes you a single price without asking what kind of license and what city. As a general shape: beer and wine license annual fees tend to run in the low hundreds to low thousands of dollars depending on the specific privilege (on-premise vs. off-premise, beer only vs. beer and wine) and city size. Spirits retailer licenses for on-premise sales (restaurants pouring liquor) carry higher annual fees than beer/wine-only licenses. On top of the license fee itself, WSLCB charges a separate nonrefundable application fee. Because these numbers change and vary by category, confirm the exact current fee for your license type and city population tier directly with WSLCB before you budget. Don't use a number you saw in a blog post from two years ago. WSLCB updates fee schedules and they're tied to statute and rule changes. Beyond the state fee, budget for a few things people forget: fingerprinting and background check costs, mandatory responsible-service training for staff (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training, or MAST, discussed below), possible local business licensing fees from your city, and if you're buying into an existing bar or restaurant's license, the negotiated purchase price for that business (which is a private transaction, not a WSLCB fee).

How much is a liquor license in Florida (since people ask this alongside WA)?

If you're comparing states, Florida's system works very differently from Washington's and is worth understanding if you operate in both. Florida issues a quota-based license for liquor-by-the-drink (the 4COP license) tied to county population, roughly one license per 7,500 residents in most counties, under Florida Statutes section 561.20. ^[2] Because Florida's quota licenses are capped in number, when a county has no more available under the population formula, the only way in is buying an existing license on the open market, and those resale prices can run from the low tens of thousands of dollars in smaller counties into six figures in dense urban counties, driven entirely by supply and demand, not a state fee schedule. Florida also has non-quota options, like licenses tied to restaurants seating a minimum number of patrons and deriving a set percentage of gross revenue from food, which sidestep the quota system entirely under the same statute. ^[2] Washington has no equivalent statewide population quota for its core restaurant and bar license classes. The state issues based on qualification and local approval, not a numeric cap tied to population, though spirits retail license availability in a few narrow categories has had caps historically. If you want the Florida-specific breakdown, see our florida bar guide, which covers the 4COP quota math and county-by-county mechanics in more detail.

How do you obtain a liquor license (step by step)?

The mechanical steps are the same whether you call it 'obtaining' or 'getting' a license: figure out your license class, confirm zoning, apply, get vetted, wait, open. Here's the order that actually works for a restaurant or bar with a signed lease and a target date. 1. Confirm your license class with WSLCB before you sign anything you can't unwind. A tavern license, a beer/wine restaurant license, and a full spirits license all have different qualification rules (food sales percentage requirements, seating, hours). 2. Check local zoning and any city or county alcohol-density rules with your city planning or clerk's office. WSLCB requires local authority sign-off as part of the process, and a location that isn't zoned for on-premise alcohol sales stops everything else cold. 3. Apply online through WSLCB's licensing system, submit ownership and financial disclosure, and pay the application fee. 4. Complete fingerprinting for the required background check on all qualifying owners/officers. 5. Sit through the 20-day public notice period, during which neighbors, local government, or law enforcement can object, per WAC 314-09-010. ^[1] 6. Get your staff MAST-certified before you pour a drop; Washington requires alcohol servers and sellers to complete approved training under RCW 66.44.350. ^[3] 7. Once WSLCB approves, pay the license fee and receive your license, then keep up with renewal deadlines (Washington liquor licenses run on an annual cycle tied to your issue date).

How long does it take to get a liquor license in Washington?

Plan for a minimum of 60 to 90 days from a clean, complete application to approval, and that's the optimistic case. The mandatory 20-day public notice period under WAC 314-09-010 is a floor, not the whole timeline. Background checks, local government sign-off, and any application deficiencies add weeks on top. ^[1] Transfers of an existing license (buying a bar or restaurant that already has one) can sometimes move faster than a brand new license because the location is already qualified, but you're still subject to the same background check and notice period for the new owner. Expect transfers to run in a similar 60-to-90-day range in a good scenario, longer if there's any complication with the seller's standing, unpaid taxes, or an incomplete application packet. The single biggest thing that blows up a timeline is an incomplete application. Reviewers send applications back for missing financial documentation, unclear ownership structure, or missing local approval, and each round trip can cost two to four weeks. If your opening date is fixed because of a lease or investor timeline, back-plan from the submission date, not the other way around. Add a buffer of at least a month beyond the stated minimums. If you're leasing a space and your landlord or lender wants a hard date, be honest with them that alcohol licensing timelines are outside your control once submitted. Nobody, including WSLCB, can guarantee an approval date, and any vendor who promises you a fixed number of days is guessing.

How do you get a bartending license (is that even a thing in WA)?

Washington doesn't have a 'bartending license' in the sense of a state credential required to be hired as a bartender. There's no exam or certificate that legally lets someone call themselves a licensed bartender. What Washington does require is that anyone who sells, serves, or takes orders for alcohol complete MAST (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training) within 60 days of starting that job, under RCW 66.44.350. ^[3] MAST covers checking IDs, recognizing signs of intoxication, and refusing service, and it's taken through a WSLCB-approved training provider, either in a classroom or online. The certification is valid for five years. ^[3] Employers are responsible for confirming staff are trained and permitted within that 60-day window; running staff past that deadline without certification is a compliance risk that shows up in inspections. So if someone searches 'how to get a bartending license' hoping to work in a Washington bar, the honest answer is: you don't need a special license to be hired, but your employer needs you MAST-certified within 60 days of your start date, and you'll want that done before your first shift in practice, since many employers won't schedule you until it's complete.

Can you serve alcohol without a liquor license?

No, not for a business selling alcohol to the public. Any establishment selling or serving alcoholic beverages, whether by the drink in a restaurant or bottle in a retail shop, needs a WSLCB license matched to that activity. Operating without one is a violation under Washington's liquor control statute, RCW 66.44.310, which makes it a gross misdemeanor to sell liquor without a license. ^[4] There are narrow exceptions that aren't really 'serving without a license' at all: certain private events with a banquet permit, a few nonprofit or one-time event permits WSLCB issues for specific occasions, and truly private, non-commercial gatherings where nobody is selling anything. None of those exceptions apply to a restaurant, bar, brewery taproom, or any business regularly pouring drinks for paying customers. If you're opening and there's any gap between your lease start and your license approval, don't pour alcohol during that gap hoping nobody notices. WSLCB does compliance checks, and an unlicensed sale discovered during that window can jeopardize the license you're waiting on, on top of separate penalties under RCW 66.44.310. ^[4]

Can anyone take the bar exam? (the other kind of 'bar license')

This question comes up in liquor license searches because people conflate 'the bar' as in a tavern with 'the bar exam' for lawyers, so it's worth answering plainly: no, not literally anyone can take the bar exam, and it has nothing to do with liquor licensing. Each state sets its own eligibility rules for taking the bar exam, typically requiring graduation from an ABA-accredited law school (or, in a handful of states, an alternative path like reading the law under a practicing attorney), passing a character and fitness review, and registering with that state's bar admission authority. ^[5] Requirements differ meaningfully by state; California, for example, allows some non-ABA-accredited law school graduates to sit for its exam under specific conditions set by the State Bar of California, while many other states don't. If you landed here because you're actually researching the legal profession's bar exam rather than a liquor license for your restaurant, our california bar and florida bar guides cover state bar admission specifics, and florida bar member search covers how to look up a licensed attorney's status in Florida. For liquor licensing purposes, this question has no bearing on your restaurant or bar application; keep reading below for the actual WA license process.

What license type do you actually need for a restaurant or bar in WA?

Spirits, Beer, and Wine Restaurant	Full-service restaurant serving liquor, beer, wine with meals	Usually requires a minimum food sales threshold; confirm current percentage with WSLCB
Beer and/or Wine Restaurant	Restaurant serving only beer/wine, no spirits	Lower fee tier than full spirits license
Tavern	Bar-forward business, food optional or minimal	Different age-admission and food rules than a restaurant license
Off-premise (grocery/retail beer-wine or spirits retailer)	Retail sales for consumption elsewhere	Separate from any on-premise pouring license	Exact category names, thresholds, and fee tiers change, so confirm the current list and definitions directly with WSLCB before you apply. A few practical notes: if your business plan leans heavily on cocktails and late-night bar service with food as an afterthought, applying for a restaurant-class license you don't structurally qualify for (because your food sales won't hit the required threshold) sets you up for a compliance problem down the road, more than an application delay. Talk to WSLCB licensing staff directly about your projected food-to-alcohol sales ratio before you commit to a license class.

The license class you need depends on what you pour and how central alcohol is to your business model, and picking the wrong one at application time is one of the most common (and expensive) mistakes. | License type (general category) | Typical use case | Key qualifying condition |

What if you're buying or transferring an existing WA liquor license instead of applying fresh?

Buying a restaurant or bar that already holds a license means you're filing for a license transfer, not a brand new license, and WSLCB treats that as its own application type with its own document requirements. You'll still go through ownership disclosure, background checks, and the public notice period for the incoming owner, even though the location already qualifies. The seller's license doesn't automatically follow you; it has to be formally transferred, and WSLCB can hold up a transfer if the current licensee has outstanding violations, unpaid state taxes, or open compliance issues. That's why a title-style check on the existing license (any pending violations, any state tax liens tied to the business) is worth doing before you sign a purchase agreement, not after. One thing buyers often miss: you generally can't operate under the seller's license while your transfer is pending just because you've closed on the business. Ask WSLCB directly about any interim operating authority available during a transfer, because rules on this have changed over time and an assumption here can shut your doors on day one of new ownership. If you're expanding into a second WA location and already know the WSLCB process from your first license, the paperwork gets faster in practice mostly because you're not learning the system for the first time, not because WSLCB has an expedited path for repeat applicants.

What does WA liquor license compliance and renewal look like after you're open?

Getting the license is the beginning of an ongoing compliance relationship with WSLCB, not a one-time event. Licenses renew annually, and WSLCB conducts compliance checks, including underage decoy operations, at licensed establishments statewide. Staff need to stay current on MAST certification (five-year validity per person, with new hires certified within 60 days of starting), and you're responsible for tracking that across turnover, which restaurants and bars deal with constantly. ^[3] Keep records of who's certified and when their certification expires. A lapsed certification discovered during an inspection is an easy, avoidable violation. Other common compliance touchpoints: hours-of-sale restrictions tied to your license type, advertising and signage rules, and restrictions on things like happy hour promotions, which Washington regulates more strictly than many states under WAC 314-11-050. If your business model depends on drink specials or promotional pricing, check that rule before you build your marketing plan around it, since some promotional practices common in other states aren't allowed in Washington. For a broader look at how WA's on-premise license categories compare to other states' systems, our bar and liquor hub pages cover general license-type concepts that apply across states, useful context if you're weighing whether to open in Washington versus somewhere else.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a liquor license in Washington State?

It depends on the license class and your city's population bracket, since WSLCB uses tiered annual fees for several license types under WAC 314-24-140, plus a separate nonrefundable application fee. There's no single flat price. Confirm the current fee schedule for your specific license type directly with WSLCB before budgeting.

How do I get a liquor license in Washington?

Choose the license class matching your business (restaurant, tavern, off-premise retail), confirm local zoning, apply online through WSLCB, complete fingerprinting for a background check, sit through the 20-day public notice period, get staff MAST-certified, and pay the license fee once approved. Plan for at least 60 to 90 days. ^[1]

How do I get a bartending license?

Washington doesn't issue a formal 'bartending license.' Instead, anyone serving or selling alcohol must complete MAST (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training) within 60 days of starting the job under RCW 66.44.350. Certification lasts five years and is done through a WSLCB-approved provider, in person or online. ^[3]

How can I get a liquor license if I'm opening a new restaurant?

Apply directly to WSLCB for the license class matching your concept (typically a Spirits, Beer, and Wine Restaurant license if you'll pour full liquor with meals). You'll need local zoning approval, ownership background checks, and to clear the 20-day public notice period before approval. ^[1]

How do I obtain a liquor licence (transfer or purchase)?

If you're buying an existing licensed bar or restaurant, you file a license transfer application with WSLCB rather than a new license, still going through background checks and public notice for the new owner. Check the seller's license for pending violations or tax issues before you sign a purchase agreement.

Can anyone take the bar exam?

No. Bar exam eligibility is set by each state and typically requires graduating from an ABA-accredited law school, passing a character and fitness review, and registering with that state's bar admission authority; some states allow limited alternative paths. This has no relation to liquor licensing. ^[5]

How much is a liquor license in Florida?

Florida's 4COP liquor-by-the-drink license is quota-based, roughly one per 7,500 county residents under Florida Statutes section 561.20, so once a county's quota is full, the only path is buying an existing license on the resale market, where prices range widely by county from the low tens of thousands to six figures. ^[2]

How much is a liquor licence in Florida for a small restaurant?

Small restaurants often qualify for Florida's non-quota licenses tied to seating capacity and a required percentage of revenue from food sales, avoiding the capped 4COP quota system entirely under Florida Statutes section 561.20. Fees for these vary by category; confirm current amounts with Florida's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. ^[2]

Can you serve alcohol without a liquor license in Washington?

No. Selling or serving alcohol commercially without a WSLCB license is a gross misdemeanor under RCW 66.44.310, more than a paperwork gap. Narrow exceptions exist for specific one-time event permits and true private, non-commercial gatherings, but none apply to a regularly operating restaurant or bar. ^[4]

How long does a WA liquor license take to get approved?

Plan for a minimum of 60 to 90 days from a complete application. The mandatory 20-day public notice period under WAC 314-09-010 is a floor, not the full timeline; background checks, local sign-off, and any application deficiencies typically add several more weeks. ^[1]

Do I need a liquor license for a food truck or catering business in WA?

Yes, if you plan to sell alcohol directly as part of the truck or catering service, you need a WSLCB license matched to that activity, and mobile or event-based alcohol service often involves additional permit types beyond a standard restaurant license. Confirm the correct category directly with WSLCB before finalizing your menu plan.

What happens if my WA liquor license application is incomplete?

WSLCB sends incomplete applications back for missing financial disclosure, unclear ownership documentation, or missing local government approval, and each round trip typically adds two to four weeks to your timeline. Submitting a complete, accurate application the first time is the single biggest lever you control over your approval date.

Sources

1. Washington Administrative Code, WAC 314-09-010 (Application procedure, public notice): New liquor license applications go through a 20-day public notice period during which objections can be filed
2. Florida Statutes, Section 561.20 (Limitation upon number of licenses issued): Florida's 4COP quota license is capped roughly at one per 7,500 county residents, with non-quota options for qualifying restaurants
3. Revised Code of Washington, RCW 66.44.350 (Mandatory alcohol server training): Alcohol servers must complete approved MAST training within 60 days of hire; certification is valid five years
4. Revised Code of Washington, RCW 66.44.310 (Selling liquor without license): Selling or serving alcohol without a WSLCB license is a gross misdemeanor under Washington's liquor control statute
5. American Bar Association, Comprehensive Guide to Bar Admission Requirements: Bar exam eligibility requirements, including law school accreditation and character and fitness review, are set individually by each state
6. Washington Administrative Code, WAC 314-24-140 (License fees): WSLCB sets tiered annual license fees by license type and, for some categories, by city population bracket
7. Washington Administrative Code, WAC 314-11-050 (Restrictions on discounting and promotions): Washington regulates happy hour and drink promotion practices more strictly than many states