Washington MAST (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training) Practice Exam

When is it illegal for a server to serve alcohol?

1. When a patron is under 18 years old

2. When a patron is under 21 years old

3. When a patron appears intoxicated

4. When a patron requests to leave

The correct answer is: When a patron is under 21 years old

Serving alcohol is strictly regulated, particularly concerning the age of patrons. In Washington State, it is illegal to serve alcohol to anyone under 21 years old because this age limit is established to protect minors from the potentially harmful effects of alcohol consumption. This law is in place not only for public safety but also to discourage underage drinking, which can lead to various negative health outcomes, impaired decision-making, and illegal behavior. In the context of this question, it’s essential to identify that individuals under the age of 21 are not legally permitted to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. Therefore, any service of alcohol to a patron who is under 21 constitutes a violation of the law, putting both the server and the establishment at risk of penalties. Understanding this regulation is fundamental in the training for alcohol servers, reinforcing the need to check identification and ensure compliance with state laws concerning the legal drinking age.