Wash. Admin. Code § 314-07-040 – What criminal history might prevent a liquor license applicant or licensee from receiving or keeping a liquor license?

(1) When the board processes a criminal history check on a true party of interest, it uses a point system to determine if the person qualifies for a license. The board will not normally issue a liquor license to an applicant who has accumulated eight or more points as indicated below:

Description	Time period during which points will be assigned	Points assigned
Felony conviction	Ten years	12 points
Gross misdemeanor conviction	Three years	5 points
Misdemeanor conviction	Three years	4 points
Currently under federal or state supervision for a felony conviction	n/a	8 points
Nondisclosure of any of the above	n/a	4 points each

(2) If a case is pending for an alleged offense that would earn eight or more points, the board will hold the application for the disposition of the case. If the disposition is not settled within ninety days, the board may administratively close the application.
(3) The board will not normally issue a liquor license to any person who has demonstrated a pattern of disregard for laws and rules. A pattern or disregard for laws and rules is inclusive of violation history outside of the liquor and cannabis board, to include other regulatory agencies and other states.
(4) Current liquor licensees are required to notify the board within thirty days of any arrests or criminal convictions. Failure to do so may result in revocation of the liquor license.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030. WSR 17-12-030, § 314-07-040, filed 5/31/17, effective 7/1/17. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030 and 66.24.010. WSR 15-11-106, § 314-07-040, filed 5/20/15, effective 6/20/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 66.08.030, 66.24.010, 66.24.015, and 66.24.025. WSR 05-07-012, § 314-07-040, filed 3/4/05, effective 4/4/05.]